Just Kona by KiNyA
KONA, the ancient playground of Hawaiian roylaty is predictably sunny and always full of playtime activities. The main community is Kailua-Kona, reached by leaving Keahole Airport and turning south for a 15-minute drive on Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway. For access to Kailua's waterfront, go seaward on Palani Road to Ali'i Drive, which features wooden buildings, a coral church and a stone tower reminiscent of the whaling days in the 1800s. Kamakahonu is the restored compound where King Kamehameha spent his last years. This National Historic Landmark is at the north end of Ali'i Drive, adjacent to Kailua Pier. Two other monuments are just south on Ali'i Drive: Hulihe'e Palace, built in 1838 and Moku'aikaua Church, the oldest church in Hawaii, constructed in the 1830s. With its two-foot thich coral walls, the church is a great place to rest when walking along Ali'i Drive. On the south end of Kailua is the oldest Chatolic church in the outher Hawaiian Islands, St. Michael's, built in 1848. Among Kona's excellent swimming areas is Old Kona Airport State Recreation Area, which can be reached by driving towared the ocean at the north end of Kailua-Kona. Public tennis courts are located nearby.
There are numerous places to swim and snorkel all along Ali'i Drive beginning with Kealakekua Bay, snorkeling, SCUBA, SNUBA, kayaking, fishing, submarine rides, semi-submersible rides, and even an ocean-going Polynesian show. For wave-lovers, White Sands Beach Park (my favourite), just south, provides great waves for the island's annual bodysurfing contest. At the south end of Ali'i Drive, north of Keauhou Bay, lies Kahalu'u Beach Park, with its long white, sandy beach.
When you are out of water, you may want to check out the minuscule St. Peter's Chatolic Church and an old heiau, Hu'emanu, where Hawaiian royalty prayed for surf.
