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Top Attractions in Kailua-Kona

Hualālai

Hualālai is a dormant volcano on the island of Hawaiʻi in the Hawaiian Islands. It is the third-youngest and the third most active of the five shield volcanoes that form the island of Hawaiʻi, following Kīlauea and the much larger Mauna Loa, and also the westernmost. Its peak is 8,271 feet above sea level. Hualālai is estimated to have risen above sea level about 300,000 years ago. Despite maintaining a very low level of activity since its last eruption in 1801, Hualālai is still considered active, and is expected to erupt again some time within the next century. The relative unpreparedness of the residents in the area caused by the lull in activity would worsen the consequences of such an event. The area near the volcano has been inhabited for centuries by Hawaiian natives, dating back to before recorded history. The coast west of Hualālai in particular had several royal complexes. The volcano is also important ecologically, is home to many rare species and several nature reserves near the summit, and is a popular hiking attraction. Today the coast near Hualālai is dotted by vacation resorts, some built on historic flows, and a National Historical Park.

Laʻaloa Bay

Laʻaloa Bay is a popular recreation area in Kailua-Kona, on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi. Also known as "Magic Sands" or "White Sands Beach", the official name is "Laʻaloa Beach County Park". During calm weather, it is one of the only fine white sandy beaches in the Kailua-Kona area. It is also sometimes called "Disappearing Sands", since the sand is washed out in a storm several times a year. A strong surf break on the shore can be dangerous, but makes it a favorite for bodyboarding by experienced locals, even under moderate surf conditions. Just north of the beach is Pahoehoe Beach County Park, although the shoreline here is rocky lava with a few coral pebbles, there are picnic tables, restrooms, and running water. In the Hawaiian language, la'a loa means "very sacred". Several Archaeological sites are in the area. The ruins of haukalua Heiau (an Ancient Hawaiian temple) are on a point just south of the beach, at the parking lot which was added in 2000. The stone structure was cleared and restored, and a small ceremonial platform (lele) constructed by descendants of the people who lived in this area for hundreds of years. A small rocky cove south of the point is popular for scuba diving in calm conditions. In 1994 after the County of Hawaii announced plans to build an 80 stall parking lot, Hawaiian Kupuna (elders) helped form a group known as the La’aloa Ohana (family). This led to agreements being made to create a Hawaiian Cultural/Educational center in 1995, in June 1995 more than 13 members of the La’aloa Ohana were arrested for attempted camping, even though according to police reports a majority of ohana had left the park, prior to its closing. The ohana continued to advocate for complete Preservation Planning and in 1997 a detailed Community based Preservation Plan was completed, the impact of this Plan became that only 25 parking stalls could be developed. While the County of Hawaii represented in the 1997 Environmental Impact Statement they would install protective measures for the Historic site, prior to any construction, in 2000 they built the parking lot, and of 2014 the Protective measures have yet to be completed. In August 2014, based on the continued advocacy by La’aloa Ohana members, the State of Hawaii Historic Preservation Division, supported by the Department of Land and Natural Resources Conservation Investigators forwarded the Mayor of the County of Hawaii a scathing letter and demand they implement all of the Protective measures, or potentially they could face millions of dollars in fines. In December 2014 the County of Hawaii is currently starting to implement the Preservation Plan, unfortunately many of the historic sites have now been severely damaged. Based on the ongoing and tireless efforts of members of the La'aloa Ohana, on May 10, 2017 the County of Hawaii announced it would be closing the parking lot at La'aloa Beach Park on May 17, 2017, indefinitely, due to the ongoing desecration caused by the parking lot. Please visit the La'aloa Beach Park Facebook page for additional information, we look forward to your kokua. It is located on Aliʻi Drive in the Kona District at coordinates 19°35′38″N 155°58′17″W. About a mile to the north is Holualoa Bay, and a mile to the south is Kahaluʻu Bay.

Sadie Seymour Botanical Gardens

The Sadie Seymour Botanical Gardens are nonprofit botanical gardens located on the grounds of the Kona Educational Foundation Center at 76-6280 Kuakini Highway, Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi island, Hawaiʻi. Coordinates are 19°36′49.5″N 155°58′6″W. They are open daily; admission is free, but donations accepted. Sadie Seymour founded the outdoor circle to beautify the Kona community. The gardens were designed by landscape architect Scott Seymour on a wedge-shaped plot, and named in honor of his mother. They feature the cultivated plants of Hawaiʻi, arranged in 11 tiers by geographic origin. The first tier contains native Hawaiian plants. Other tiers include Australia, New Zealand, and Indonesia; Indo-Asia; Africa; and Central America . The educational center also includes a horticultural library. Tropical gardening classes and other events are held in the center. The grounds also contain an archaeological site called a Heiau, Kealakowaʻa Heiau . This ritual site, built in the time of King ʻUmi a Liloa, was used for construction and blessing of canoes. It can be viewed from the Outdoor Circles Educational Center. The site contains a ceremonial platform, an astrological temple, the foundation of a priests house, and the foundation of a meeting house. The sacred site is positioned along an ancient trail that led from the upland Koa forests on Hualālai down to the royal complex at Holualoa Bay. After a tree was selected in the forest, the log was roughly hewn into the shape of a canoe and dragged down to this area for blessing ceremonies. From here it went down the slide to the water for completion and launching.

Four Seasons Resort Hualalai

Four Seasons Resort Hualalai at Historic Kaʻūpūlehu is a Four Seasons resort in Kaʻūpūlehu, on the Kona-Kohala Coast of the island of Hawaiʻi. The resort was designed by Hill Glazier Architects, with original interior design by Wilson Associates . Landscape architecture was by Bensley Design, with art direction by Julie Cline. From 2008-2009, Babey Moulton Jue Booth redesigned the suites and enhanced the spa, with additional resort enhancements by Rob Iopa, Watanabe Chun Iopa Takaki, and Julie Cline. Bungalows are connected by landscaped paths around pools, with guest rooms designed and decorated with indigenous rattan, bamboo, and lava rock. Views of the Pacific Ocean and the island of Maui can be seen on the horizon. Four Seasons Resort Hualalai is the only AAA Five Diamond rated resort on the island of Hawaiʻi, and one of only three in the entire state. The resort encourages guests to visit different Four Seasons resorts on the islands of Hawaiʻi, Lanaʻi, and Maui, including Four Seasons Resort Lanaʻi, The Lodge at Koele, Four Seasons Resort Lanaʻi at Manele Bay, and Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea. The tsunami from the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake damaged the resort and forced it to close for six weeks for repairs. The tsunami affected the pool area and grounds, a restaurant, and twelve guest rooms.

La'aloa Bay

Laʻaloa Bay is a popular recreation area in Kailua-Kona, on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi. Also known as "Magic Sands" or "White Sands Beach", the official name is "Laʻaloa Beach County Park". During calm weather, it is one of the only fine white sandy beaches in the Kailua-Kona area. It is also sometimes called "Disappearing Sands", since the sand is washed out in a storm several times a year. A strong surf break on the shore can be dangerous, but makes it a favorite for bodyboarding by experienced locals, even under moderate surf conditions. Just north of the beach is Pahoehoe Beach County Park, although the shoreline here is rocky lava with a few coral pebbles, there are picnic tables, restrooms, and running water. In the Hawaiian language, laa loa means "very sacred". Several Archaeological sites are in the area. The ruins of haukalua Heiau are on a point just south of the beach, at the parking lot which was added in 2000. The stone structure was cleared and restored, and a small ceremonial platform constructed by descendants of the people who lived in this area for hundreds of years. A small rocky cove south of the point is popular for scuba diving in calm conditions. In 1994 after the County of Hawaii announced plans to build an 80 stall parking lot, Hawaiian Kupuna helped form a group known as the La’aloa Ohana . This led to agreements being made to create a Hawaiian Cultural/Educational center in 1995, in June 1995 more than 13 members of the La’aloa Ohana were arrested for attempted camping, even though according to police reports a majority of ohana had left the park, prior to its closing. The ohana continued to advocate for complete Preservation Planning and in 1997 a detailed Community based Preservation Plan was completed, the impact of this Plan became that only 25 parking stalls could be developed. While the County of Hawaii represented in the 1997 Environmental Impact Statement they would install protective measures for the Historic site, prior to any construction, in 2000 they built the parking lot, and of 2014 the Protective measures have yet to be completed. In August 2014, based on the continued advocacy by La’aloa Ohana members, the State of Hawaii Historic Preservation Division, supported by the Department of Land and Natural Resources Conservation Investigators forwarded the Mayor of the County of Hawaii a scathing letter and demand they implement all of the Protective measures, or potentially they could face millions of dollars in fines. In December 2014 the County of Hawaii is currently starting to implement the Preservation Plan, unfortunately many of the historic sites have now been severely damaged. It is located on Aliʻi Drive in the Kona District at coordinates 19°35′38″N 155°58′17″W. About a mile to the north is Holualoa Bay, and a mile to the south is Kahaluʻu Bay.

Kealakowaa Heiau

The Sadie Seymour Botanical Gardens are nonprofit botanical gardens located on the grounds of the Kona Educational Foundation Center at 76-6280 Kuakini Highway, Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi island, Hawaiʻi. Coordinates are 19°36′49.5″N 155°58′6″W. They are open daily; admission is free, but donations accepted. Sadie Seymour founded the outdoor circle to beautify the Kona community. The gardens were designed by landscape architect Scott Seymour on a wedge-shaped plot, and named in honor of his mother. They feature the cultivated plants of Hawaiʻi, arranged in 11 tiers by geographic origin. The first tier contains native Hawaiian plants. Other tiers include Australia, New Zealand, and Indonesia (featuring plants such as cuphea, eucalyptus, and ixora); Indo-Asia (lemon grass, and cinnamon, turmeric, and clove trees); Africa (Bismarckia nobilis); and Central America (calabash). The grounds also contain an archaeological site called a Heiau, Kealakowaʻa Heiau ("temple on the way for dragging canoes" in the Hawaiian Language). This ritual site, built in the time of King ʻUmi a Liloa, was used for construction and blessing of canoes. It can be viewed from the Kona Educational Foundation Center. The site contains a ceremonial platform, an astrological temple, the foundation of a priest's house, and the foundation of a meeting house. The sacred site is positioned along an ancient trail that led from the upland Koa forests on Hualālai down to the royal complex at Holualoa Bay. After a tree was selected in the forest, the log was roughly hewn into the shape of a canoe and dragged down to this area for blessing ceremonies. From here it went down the slide to the water for completion and launching.

St. Michael the Archangel Church

Saint Michael the Archangel Catholic Church is a parish of the Roman Catholic Church of Hawaiʻi in the United States. Located in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi, 75-5769 Ali'i Drive, coordinates 19°38′13″N 155°59′28″W. The church falls under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Honolulu and its bishop. On June 17, 1839, Kamehameha III declared religious freedom in the Kingdom in the Edict of Toleration. A mission named after Saint Michael the Archangel was founded in 1840, the first Catholic Church on the island. The first services were in a small grass hut. Governor John Adams Kuakini gave the land South of Mokuʻaikaua Church to the Catholic mission in 1841. The present church was completed in 1850 under Father Joachim Merechel. He was buried inside the church in 1859. In 1940 Father Benno Evers constructed a grotto of coral from Kailua Bay over the site of the original well. The parish includes the mission churches of Immaculate Conception in Holualoa, St. Peter by the Sea Church on Kahaluʻu bay, St. Paul in Kawanui and Holy Rosary in Kalaoa. The land beneath Holy Rosary was given to the Church by King Kalakaua in 1876. The main church building was forced to close on September 24, 2007, due to lingering damage from the earthquake in the area almost a year prior, on October 15, 2006. The parish continued to hold Mass in a tent on the site. In 2009, the parish announced the church would be demolished in November 2009. A nearby building that served as a convent has also been demolished. Construction on a new church began in early 2013. In 2009, a book was published detailing the history of the 159-year-old church.
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