Kona.
Keep Kailua Village for one easy day and give a Kohala Coast treatment its own drive. The ocean belongs in view even when it is too rough to enter.
Travel style
Overview
Kona is a stretch of the west coast of Hawaiʻi Island. Kailua Village gives you a walkable first morning between the pier and Huliheʻe Palace. Coffee country climbs inland, and the historic coastal parks lie in different directions along the shore. A Waikoloa hotel puts you north of the village.
Choose a base with the evening drive in mind. Three days allow a village walk, a coffee outing and one substantial park day. Treat cultural sites as places with continuing significance and let local conditions determine how close to the water you go.
Shortlist
Kohala Spa
Kohala Spa is on the resort coast north of Kailua-Kona. Reserve a treatment and leave enough time for the road trip to feel like an outing.
The Coffee Shack
Have coffee and breakfast at the hillside restaurant overlooking Kealakekua Bay. Its perch above the farms makes the drive south part of the outing.
Dining ↓Kona Tiki Hotel
Kona Tiki Hotel keeps a Kailua-Kona stay near the ocean. Ask about the room, steps and road access that matter to your trip.
Three excellent days
Day 1
A village morning and a long lunch
Kailua Village → Aliʻi Drive
Kailua Pier, the old palace and the seawall are neighbors. Inland food stops are a short ride away and the return toward the bay makes sense once the heat of the day subsides.
- Morning
Eat by the bay before exploring the palace.
Expand +Collapse − morning suggestions
Island Lava Java, Kailua-Kona
Have a Kona coffee and a breakfast plate on Aliʻi Drive. A seat facing the bay makes a leisurely start to a village day.
Huliheʻe Palace
See the Hawaiian royal residence from the inside to give context to the waterfront walk. The Daughters of Hawaiʻi offers self-guided visits.
Mokuaikaua Church
Look at the lava-stone church across from the palace and follow the congregation’s notices about interior access. This small stretch of road holds two different histories.
- Afternoon
Have poke at Umekes and browse the local produce counters. Kamakahonu offers a separate, respectful look at Kailua’s royal history.
Expand +Collapse − afternoon suggestions
Umekes Fish Market Bar & Grill
Order a poke bowl and ask which preparations use the day’s fish. Choose shoyu or a spicier version and add rice and a side.
Kona Farmers Market
Browse the produce and flowers on a trading day in Kailua Village. Buy fruit you can eat today and ask vendors which local varieties are ripe.
Kamakahonu National Historic Landmark
View the royal compound from the designated public area beside the bay. Give the reconstructed heiau space and stay outside the sacred enclosure.
- Evening
Take an early waterfront table and watch the bay.
Expand +Collapse − evening suggestions
On the Rocks
An open-air evening by the bay makes it easy to put a meal and entertainment in one place.
Huggo’s
Reserve the seated waterfront restaurant for fresh fish, and ask about the day’s catch and preparation. Its dining room and neighboring On the Rocks have different menus.
Kona Inn Shopping Village
Browse the shops in the old waterfront inn while they are still open. The building’s wide lawn faces the anchorage, a good early-evening stop before dinner.
Day 2
Coffee country and a sheltered lunch
South Kona → Hōnaunau
Coffee farms occupy the cooler slopes above South Kona. Continue down to the historic royal grounds or the bay, and allow for narrow winding roads when coming back up for supper.
- Morning
Travel south for coffee while the air is cool.
Expand +Collapse − morning suggestions
Greenwell Farms
A farm visit connects the cup to the fruit, processing and hillside climate. Choose the operator’s regular tour or arrange a more involved experience.
The Coffee Shack
Have coffee and breakfast at the hillside restaurant overlooking Kealakekua Bay. Its perch above the farms makes the drive south part of the outing.
Amy B. H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden
Check the garden’s public opening sessions before visiting. Hawaiian food, fiber and medicinal plants put the cultivated landscape in context.
- Afternoon
Give lunch and a small cultural visit time.
Expand +Collapse − afternoon suggestions
Kona Historical Society, Portuguese Stone Oven
Choose a published baking day at the outdoor oven in Kealakekua. Watching the loaves come out tells a different part of coffee-country history from a farm tour.
St Benedict’s Painted Church
Visit the little church above Hōnaunau to see the painted interior when it is open. Worshippers take priority during services.
Paleaku Gardens Peace Sanctuary
Walk the cultivated paths on Painted Church Road during posted hours. It offers a quiet alternative to another coastal stop.
- Evening
Stay south for an early meal before the road back.
Expand +Collapse − evening suggestions
Rebel Kitchen, Kainaliu
Order a fish sandwich or a local-style plate at the Kainaliu restaurant. Ask which fish came in before choosing a preparation.
Teshima’s Restaurant
Try a Japanese set meal at the family restaurant in Honalo. Rice, fish and small sides give the meal a different rhythm from a plate lunch.
Gypsea Gelato, Kealakekua
Stop for a scoop in the Kealakekua shop on the inland road. Look for local fruit or Kona coffee among the flavors.
Day 3
A coastal spa and a slow return
Kaloko → Waikoloa → Kohala Coast
The coastal fishponds and the Waikoloa lagoons are separate stops on the leeward shore. Start at an open park in the cool morning and choose the resort or beach area where you want to finish.
- Morning
Walk the park’s coastal paths before the sun climbs.
Expand +Collapse − morning suggestions
Kona Mountain Coffee
Stop at the café near the airport side of town for a Kona coffee or beans to take home. It breaks up the drive north.
Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park
Walk a signed route to learn about Hawaiian coastal settlement and fishponds. The rough lava makes a short distance feel longer.
Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site
Continue north for the visitor center and marked path overlooking the heiau. The sacred structures themselves are not open for entry.
- Afternoon
Book the spa and choose a quiet afternoon by the bay.
Expand +Collapse − afternoon suggestions
Kohala Spa
A treatment at Waikoloa Beach is a coastal excursion from Kailua Village. Build the day around that drive.
Anaehoʻomalu Bay
Walk the public beach and look inland at the historic fishponds. Stay on the designated side of any marked restoration areas.
Mauna Lani Fishponds
Follow the public access signs around the ponds and interpretive trails. These are cultural sites with maintained boundaries, not swimming pools.
- Evening
Stay on the coast for supper and take the road home unhurriedly.
Expand +Collapse − evening suggestions
Roy’s Waikoloa Bar & Grill
Choose a Hawaiian fusion fish dish from the Waikoloa restaurant’s current menu. Ask the server to explain the local catch and preparation.
CanoeHouse, Mauna Lani
Reserve the resort restaurant for a special seafood dinner above the water. Read the menu before committing to the longer meal.
Queens’ Marketplace
Browse the Waikoloa shops or stop for ice cream before the return drive. Check the public events calendar for a confirmed evening performance.
What to book
Reserve Kohala Spa at Waikoloa and confirm treatment inclusions. Give any Greenwell Farms tour its own confirmed time and a designated driver.
Kohala Spa
Kohala Spa is on the Waikoloa coast. Confirm the hotel location and facilities available with your treatment before arranging the drive north from Kailua.
The Coffee Shack
Have coffee and breakfast at the hillside restaurant overlooking Kealakekua Bay. Its perch above the farms makes the drive south part of the outing. Allow for the turn off the main road and the wait for a table. The breakfast stop and Greenwell’s farm visit are separate experiences.
The full guide
Neighborhoods
Kailua Village gives you meals and the palace on foot. South Kona places farms and Hōnaunau closer but makes evening driving more likely. Kohala’s resort coast lies farther north.
Dining
Poke near Kailua and laulau in Captain Cook belong on different days of the coast drive. Ask which fish is in the poke that morning and what filling is inside the steamed leaf parcel. Save the resort dinner for the Kohala Coast day.
Island Lava Java, Kailua-Kona
Kailua Village
Have a Kona coffee and a breakfast plate on Aliʻi Drive. A seat facing the bay makes a leisurely start to a village day.
Zaddy TipChoose the Kailua-Kona restaurant rather than the Waikoloa location.
Umekes Fish Market Bar & Grill
Kailua Village
Order a poke bowl and ask which preparations use the day’s fish. Choose shoyu or a spicier version and add rice and a side.
Zaddy TipThe restaurant is on Pawai Place, a short ride inland from Aliʻi Drive.
Huggo’s
Kailua Village
Reserve the seated waterfront restaurant for fresh fish, and ask about the day’s catch and preparation. Its dining room and neighboring On the Rocks have different menus.
Zaddy TipBook Huggo’s itself for a reserved dinner table.
Kaaloa’s Super J’s
South Kona
Order laulau, meat wrapped and steamed in leaves, at the Captain Cook shop. Ask which fillings are available and add rice for a full plate.
Zaddy TipCheck service before making the drive. This is a small South Kona business.
Rebel Kitchen, Kainaliu
South Kona
Order a fish sandwich or a local-style plate at the Kainaliu restaurant. Ask which fish came in before choosing a preparation.
Zaddy TipCheck dinner service and leave time for the winding drive back to Kailua.
Lava Lava Beach Club, Waikoloa
Kaloko
Order a fish dish at the beachside restaurant on ʻAnaehoʻomalu Bay. Make it the main lunch stop rather than driving south between meals.
Zaddy TipUse the Waikoloa location and confirm current service before planning a sunset table.
Roy’s Waikoloa Bar & Grill
Kaloko
Choose a Hawaiian fusion fish dish from the Waikoloa restaurant’s current menu. Ask the server to explain the local catch and preparation.
Zaddy TipSpecify Waikoloa for this dinner near the Kings’ Shops.
The Coffee Shack
Kona
Have coffee and breakfast at the hillside restaurant overlooking Kealakekua Bay. Its perch above the farms makes the drive south part of the outing.
Zaddy TipAllow for the turn off the main road and the wait for a table. The breakfast stop and Greenwell’s farm visit are separate experiences.
Culture
Visit with attention to the people and customs associated with this place. Avoid climbing walls or entering restricted areas for photographs.
Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park
Hōnaunau
The place of refuge and royal grounds offer a way into Hawaiian history through stone walls, shoreline and living cultural practice. Start with the park interpretation.
Zaddy TipFollow marked routes and restrictions around sacred places. Bring water and sun protection and respect the posted closing time.
Huliheʻe Palace
Kailua Village
See the Hawaiian royal residence from the inside to give context to the waterfront walk. The Daughters of Hawaiʻi offers self-guided visits.
Zaddy TipReserve the advertised tour or call ahead. Walk-ins depend on availability.
Activities
A guided or self-directed walk works without an ocean entry. Give the park its own morning while temperatures are lower.
Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park
North Kona
Walk a signed route to learn about Hawaiian coastal settlement and fishponds. The rough lava makes a short distance feel longer.
Zaddy TipChoose the route and distance from the NPS trail guide. Stay back from wildlife and carry water for the exposed ground.
Kohala Spa
Waikoloa
A treatment at Waikoloa Beach is a coastal excursion from Kailua Village. Build the day around that drive.
Zaddy TipReserve the service directly and ask which facilities are included for a visiting client.
Nightlife
Choose a village dinner you can walk back from. The coast road south is much easier to enjoy in daylight.
Historic Kailua Village waterfront
Kailua Village
Walk the village shoreline past Huliheʻe Palace before dinner. A separate daytime palace visit brings the royal residence into focus.
Zaddy TipConfirm palace admission in advance. An evening exterior walk does not include the interior or grounds.
On the Rocks
Kailua-Kona
An open-air evening by the bay makes it easy to put a meal and entertainment in one place.
Zaddy TipRead the entertainment listing for the date you want and arrange your ride before dinner.
Where to stay
Check the difference between a central address and an oceanfront address south along Aliʻi Drive.
Kona Tiki Hotel
Aliʻi Drive
An independent coastal hotel for someone who wants the ocean outside the room. The town center is a separate outing.
Zaddy TipRead the property facilities and parking information before choosing the room.
King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel
Kailua Pier
Choose the Courtyard property for access to the pier and historic waterfront on foot.
Zaddy TipCompare room outlooks and account for any parking or destination charges in the final rate.
Getting around
Book KOA for the Kona side. Compare a rental or arranged driver for the two park outings and coffee slopes. Check the airport’s ground transport options for your arrival time. Take a sun hat and shoes that protect feet on lava.
FAQs
Is this Kailua on Oʻahu?
This guide covers Kailua-Kona and the Kona districts of Hawaiʻi Island. Book flights and lodging for the correct island.
Can I see the volcanoes after the coffee tour?
Allow a separate day and preferably a night on the other side of the island. Driving there and back would dominate the plan.
Researched and edited by Zaddy Travels. The linked sources inform our selections and planning advice. Hotel and dining recommendations are based on published information.
Related destinations
On the Rocks
On the Rocks puts dinner and drinks along the Kailua-Kona waterfront. Choose an arrival time that leaves room to watch the light change over the bay.
Historic Kailua Village waterfront
Historic Kailua Village gives friends a walkable stretch of Aliʻi Drive for the start of the night. Pick one waterfront address as your meeting place.
The Coffee Shack
Have coffee and breakfast at the hillside restaurant overlooking Kealakekua Bay. Its perch above the farms makes the drive south part of the outing.
Dining ↓Day 1
Dinner along Aliʻi Drive
Kailua Village → Aliʻi Drive
Kailua Pier, the old palace and the seawall are neighbors. Inland food stops are a short ride away and the return toward the bay makes sense once the heat of the day subsides.
- Morning
Meet in town over coffee and a breakfast plate.
Expand +Collapse − morning suggestions
Island Lava Java, Kailua-Kona
Have a Kona coffee and a breakfast plate on Aliʻi Drive. A seat facing the bay makes a leisurely start to a village day.
Mokuaikaua Church
Look at the lava-stone church across from the palace and follow the congregation’s notices about interior access. This small stretch of road holds two different histories.
Kailua Pier
Watch fishing boats and ocean paddlers from the public side of the pier. Leave the loading and launch areas clear.
- Afternoon
Gather for poke before browsing the village shops.
Expand +Collapse − afternoon suggestions
Umekes Fish Market Bar & Grill
Order a poke bowl and ask which preparations use the day’s fish. Choose shoyu or a spicier version and add rice and a side.
Kona Farmers Market
Browse the produce and flowers on a trading day in Kailua Village. Buy fruit you can eat today and ask vendors which local varieties are ripe.
Kona Brewing Hawaiʻi, Kailua-Kona
Book the brewery tour if production and brewing interest you, or order a small tasting at the pub. Arrange a non-driving return for anyone drinking.
- Evening
Pick a live-music night and stay on the village side of town.
Expand +Collapse − evening suggestions
On the Rocks
An open-air evening by the bay makes it easy to put a meal and entertainment in one place.
Papa Kona Restaurant
Check the live-music calendar at the Aliʻi Drive restaurant before choosing a dinner sitting. The venue overlooks the bay.
Kona Inn Shopping Village
Browse the shops in the old waterfront inn while they are still open. The building’s wide lawn faces the anchorage, a good early-evening stop before dinner.
Day 2
A South Kona food day
South Kona → Hōnaunau
Coffee farms occupy the cooler slopes above South Kona. Continue down to the historic royal grounds or the bay, and allow for narrow winding roads when coming back up for supper.
- Morning
Meet in Captain Cook before driving down to the coast.
Expand +Collapse − morning suggestions
Greenwell Farms
A farm visit connects the cup to the fruit, processing and hillside climate. Choose the operator’s regular tour or arrange a more involved experience.
Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park
The place of refuge and royal grounds offer a way into Hawaiian history through stone walls, shoreline and living cultural practice. Start with the park interpretation.
The Coffee Shack
Have coffee and breakfast at the hillside restaurant overlooking Kealakekua Bay. Its perch above the farms makes the drive south part of the outing.
- Afternoon
Share laulau and stop for a roadside fruit tasting.
Expand +Collapse − afternoon suggestions
Kaaloa’s Super J’s
Order laulau, meat wrapped and steamed in leaves, at the Captain Cook shop. Ask which fillings are available and add rice for a full plate.
St Benedict’s Painted Church
Visit the little church above Hōnaunau to see the painted interior when it is open. Worshippers take priority during services.
Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park
View the bay from an authorized public access and learn why the coastline matters culturally. A look from shore does not require arranging a kayak landing.
- Evening
Choose a village restaurant with enough time to drive home.
Expand +Collapse − evening suggestions
Rebel Kitchen, Kainaliu
Order a fish sandwich or a local-style plate at the Kainaliu restaurant. Ask which fish came in before choosing a preparation.
Teshima’s Restaurant
Try a Japanese set meal at the family restaurant in Honalo. Rice, fish and small sides give the meal a different rhythm from a plate lunch.
Aloha Theatre
Check the live theater program in Kainaliu before planning the return drive. The evening performance can anchor a South Kona night.
Day 3
A sunset table on the Kohala Coast
Kaloko → Waikoloa → Kohala Coast
The coastal fishponds and the Waikoloa lagoons are separate stops on the leeward shore. Start at an open park in the cool morning and choose the resort or beach area where you want to finish.
- Morning
Pick up coffee north of town before choosing the fishpond trails at Kaloko-Honokōhau or the petroglyph path in Waikoloa.
Expand +Collapse − morning suggestions
Kona Mountain Coffee
Stop at the café near the airport side of town for a Kona coffee or beans to take home. It breaks up the drive north.
Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park
Walk a signed route to learn about Hawaiian coastal settlement and fishponds. The rough lava makes a short distance feel longer.
Waikoloa Petroglyph Preserve
Follow the marked route from the resort area to see the petroglyphs. Stay on the path and leave the carvings untouched.
- Afternoon
Share lunch on the Kohala Coast and leave time for a swim only where guarded conditions permit.
Expand +Collapse − afternoon suggestions
Kohala Spa
A treatment at Waikoloa Beach is a coastal excursion from Kailua Village. Build the day around that drive.
Lava Lava Beach Club, Waikoloa
Order a fish dish at the beachside restaurant on ʻAnaehoʻomalu Bay. Make it the main lunch stop rather than driving south between meals.
Anaehoʻomalu Bay
Walk the public beach and look inland at the historic fishponds. Stay on the designated side of any marked restoration areas.
- Evening
Reserve dinner or a programmed cultural performance.
Expand +Collapse − evening suggestions
Roy’s Waikoloa Bar & Grill
Choose a Hawaiian fusion fish dish from the Waikoloa restaurant’s current menu. Ask the server to explain the local catch and preparation.
CanoeHouse, Mauna Lani
Reserve the resort restaurant for a special seafood dinner above the water. Read the menu before committing to the longer meal.
Legends of Hawaiʻi Lūʻau
Book a scheduled Waikoloa performance and dinner together. Confirm the venue and transport details before leaving Kailua.
Check On the Rocks for the date and program. Arrange a sober return for anyone staying outside walking distance.
On the Rocks
On the Rocks is a waterfront venue in Kailua Village. Check the music listing and choose a sober return for anyone sleeping outside walking distance.
Historic Kailua Village waterfront
The Kailua Village waterfront gives a group a walk before dinner. Send a specific restaurant or pier meeting point rather than the entire length of Aliʻi Drive.
Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park
Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park preserves fishponds and a Hawaiian coastal settlement landscape. Ask rangers which route best explains how people used these waters.
Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park
Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau preserves a place of refuge and royal grounds on the South Kona coast. Follow the marked visitor route and give the cultural interpretation time.
Huliheʻe Palace
Huliheʻe Palace is a former royal residence on Kailua Bay. Check visitor access before choosing it as the indoor stop on a waterfront walk.
Day 1
From Kailua Pier to the palace
Kailua Village → Aliʻi Drive
Kailua Pier, the old palace and the seawall are neighbors. Inland food stops are a short ride away and the return toward the bay makes sense once the heat of the day subsides.
- Morning
Start at the pier while the sea is quiet.
Expand +Collapse − morning suggestions
Old Kona Airport State Recreation Area
Walk the public shoreline paths north of Kailua Village. The old runway explains the unusual expanse of pavement beside this stretch of coast.
Huliheʻe Palace
See the Hawaiian royal residence from the inside to give context to the waterfront walk. The Daughters of Hawaiʻi offers self-guided visits.
Kailua Pier
Watch fishing boats and ocean paddlers from the public side of the pier. Leave the loading and launch areas clear.
- Afternoon
Trace the old village waterfront and stop for a cool drink.
Expand +Collapse − afternoon suggestions
Umekes Fish Market Bar & Grill
Order a poke bowl and ask which preparations use the day’s fish. Choose shoyu or a spicier version and add rice and a side.
Kona Brewing Hawaiʻi, Kailua-Kona
Book the brewery tour if production and brewing interest you, or order a small tasting at the pub. Arrange a non-driving return for anyone drinking.
Kamakahonu National Historic Landmark
View the royal compound from the designated public area beside the bay. Give the reconstructed heiau space and stay outside the sacred enclosure.
- Evening
Finish the walking day along Aliʻi Drive.
Expand +Collapse − evening suggestions
Huggo’s
Reserve the seated waterfront restaurant for fresh fish, and ask about the day’s catch and preparation. Its dining room and neighboring On the Rocks have different menus.
Papa Kona Restaurant
Check the live-music calendar at the Aliʻi Drive restaurant before choosing a dinner sitting. The venue overlooks the bay.
Kona Inn Shopping Village
Browse the shops in the old waterfront inn while they are still open. The building’s wide lawn faces the anchorage, a good early-evening stop before dinner.
Day 2
From the coffee slopes to the royal grounds
South Kona → Hōnaunau
Coffee farms occupy the cooler slopes above South Kona. Continue down to the historic royal grounds or the bay, and allow for narrow winding roads when coming back up for supper.
- Morning
Visit the historical park before the midday heat.
Expand +Collapse − morning suggestions
Greenwell Farms
A farm visit connects the cup to the fruit, processing and hillside climate. Choose the operator’s regular tour or arrange a more involved experience.
Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park
The place of refuge and royal grounds offer a way into Hawaiian history through stone walls, shoreline and living cultural practice. Start with the park interpretation.
Amy B. H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden
Check the garden’s public opening sessions before visiting. Hawaiian food, fiber and medicinal plants put the cultivated landscape in context.
- Afternoon
Choose a shoreline stop instead of adding a second long hike.
Expand +Collapse − afternoon suggestions
Kaaloa’s Super J’s
Order laulau, meat wrapped and steamed in leaves, at the Captain Cook shop. Ask which fillings are available and add rice for a full plate.
Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park
View the bay from an authorized public access and learn why the coastline matters culturally. A look from shore does not require arranging a kayak landing.
Paleaku Gardens Peace Sanctuary
Walk the cultivated paths on Painted Church Road during posted hours. It offers a quiet alternative to another coastal stop.
- Evening
Break the return in Kainaliu rather than making a late coastal detour.
Expand +Collapse − evening suggestions
Rebel Kitchen, Kainaliu
Order a fish sandwich or a local-style plate at the Kainaliu restaurant. Ask which fish came in before choosing a preparation.
Aloha Theatre
Check the live theater program in Kainaliu before planning the return drive. The evening performance can anchor a South Kona night.
Gypsea Gelato, Kealakekua
Stop for a scoop in the Kealakekua shop on the inland road. Look for local fruit or Kona coffee among the flavors.
Day 3
Along the fishponds and lava shore
Kaloko → Waikoloa → Kohala Coast
The coastal fishponds and the Waikoloa lagoons are separate stops on the leeward shore. Start at an open park in the cool morning and choose the resort or beach area where you want to finish.
- Morning
See the fishponds from the marked routes.
Expand +Collapse − morning suggestions
Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park
Walk a signed route to learn about Hawaiian coastal settlement and fishponds. The rough lava makes a short distance feel longer.
Waikoloa Petroglyph Preserve
Follow the marked route from the resort area to see the petroglyphs. Stay on the path and leave the carvings untouched.
Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site
Continue north for the visitor center and marked path overlooking the heiau. The sacred structures themselves are not open for entry.
- Afternoon
Walk the fishpond side of the beach before returning inland.
Expand +Collapse − afternoon suggestions
Lava Lava Beach Club, Waikoloa
Order a fish dish at the beachside restaurant on ʻAnaehoʻomalu Bay. Make it the main lunch stop rather than driving south between meals.
Anaehoʻomalu Bay
Walk the public beach and look inland at the historic fishponds. Stay on the designated side of any marked restoration areas.
Mauna Lani Fishponds
Follow the public access signs around the ponds and interpretive trails. These are cultural sites with maintained boundaries, not swimming pools.
- Evening
Finish with a meal close to the last coastal walk.
Expand +Collapse − evening suggestions
Roy’s Waikoloa Bar & Grill
Choose a Hawaiian fusion fish dish from the Waikoloa restaurant’s current menu. Ask the server to explain the local catch and preparation.
Legends of Hawaiʻi Lūʻau
Book a scheduled Waikoloa performance and dinner together. Confirm the venue and transport details before leaving Kailua.
Queens’ Marketplace
Browse the Waikoloa shops or stop for ice cream before the return drive. Check the public events calendar for a confirmed evening performance.
Read the national parks’ current access and trail notices. Keep sacred sites and wildlife clear of the group’s path.
Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park
Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park preserves a coastal landscape with cultural sites and wildlife. Check park notices, stay on designated routes and keep wildlife clear.
Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park
Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau is a separate national historical park south of Kailua. Read its visitor guidance before walking through this culturally significant place.