Lanikai Beach is one of the...
by Shari_Lynn
Lanikai Beach is one of the world's top 10 beaches and is great for kayaking, swimming or wind-surfing. Walk the sand at sunset and then have a Mai Tai at Buzz's Steakhouse which has a Banyan Tree growing through the middle of the restaurant. My favorite thing about Kailua is seeing the vista of the small seaside town as I'm coming home from work in the 'big city' of Honolulu. While much of Hawaii has been overbuilt, Kailua's beauty remains untarnished by modern day 'improvements'. All of the days cares just wash away when I see Kailua.
Kailua-Kona Tip
by smoox
Driving down from Kilauea towards the sea, you can actually reach the fresh lava by car. After that point, it´s HIKING. Bring good shoes, for the path is uneven. You can actually get relatively close to the dramatic scenery, and it´s certainly a sight at night (the point is, you´ll have to find your way back in darkness. Now that´s NOT so funny).
Green Sea Turtles (which never...
by mysie
Green Sea Turtles (which never seem to look green!) can be found at most beaches in the Kona area. Favorite viewing spots: Kahalu'u beach in Kailua, and the private lagoon at the Hilton Waikaloa. Be careful though: it is illegal to touch or disturb these quiet, graceful creatures.
Packing List
by etherspy
Pack light.... Mostly shorts and light shirts....
For guys, a pair of dress slacks and a kinda formal shirt and shoes will get you into most places.
I went into Donatoni's at the Hilton in a pair of slacks, collared shirt and loafers....
For ladies,same as above but a semi-formal dress, etc. Bring water shoes!!!! Most of the beaches have lava rocks...Very sharp. All this stuff can be found locally.... Not as expensive as everyone makes it out to be. An underwater camera would be nice... failing that, there are some cases for your normal land camera....
Hapuna Beach in the Kohala...
by slabeaume
Hapuna Beach in the Kohala district. Voted the prettiest beach in Hawaii by Conte Nast. This particular day (on our trip around the island), there were high wind advisories. The only people in the water were body boarders. A few days later we went back and the water was swimable.