How to get out Kailua-Kona
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is awesome, but a long drive. Easily 2+ hours. If you want to see the volcano really up close take a helicopter, you get a great view. Just inside the park entrance is Halemaumau crater the center of Kilauea. Which as of this writing is releasing enormous amounts of volcanic gas and steam. This gas and steam forms a cloud of vog that has traveled as far as Oahu.
Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park is located on the coast between Kailua Town and Kona airport. It provides beaches, archeological sites, and day hiking.
Mauna Kea (13,000+ ft) has great telescopes and worth the drive, again long. Dirt road for much of the drive up, but not bad. Also, don't let everyone scare you about Saddle Road, the road that splits the island, it is fine, narrow and hilly, but if you pay attention you can drive it, and it will save you an hour and a half to get to Hilo and the east side of Hawaii.
Puuhonua o Honaunau, . the city of refuge- located just a few miles south from the center of Kona town- this National Park is a monument stuck in time, the tall coconut palms and the serenity of the place it's easy to feel the presence of the Hawaiian ancestors at time when the Kapu Laws were in effect. �
Waipi'o Valley Located along the Hamakua Coast on the northeastern coast. Down in the valley there is a black sand beach. On either side of the valley are cliffs reaching almost 2000 feet in elevation with several waterfalls. Hiking in the Waipio Valley is a good adventure. The road down is very steep. Only 4-wheel drive vehicles are allowed on it. Many hikers walk down and then try to hitch a ride back up.
Kealakekua Bay where Captain James Cook first set foot on the island in 1778. There is a monument on the peninsula that is only approachable by rugged foot trail or by water. This is a great place to kayak to, recently a permit is required to land, and a wonderful spot to snorkel and see a vast amount of tropical fish.
Green Sand Beach | Papakolea This secluded green sand beach is located near Ka Lae (South Point) in the Ka'u district of Hawaii. The hike to get there is a rugged 2-mile walk over dusty ruts that lead to the beach. If you have a rugged 4-wheel drive vehicle you might be able to drive all the way. Getting down to the sand is a climb. The beach is shaped like a giant bowl and you have to walk/climb down the side.
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The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Kailua-Kona
