Where is the Kohala
Coast?
It's on the west coast of the Big Island of Hawaii,
the drier, sunnier side also known as the Gold Coast. The area that
comprises the Kohala Coast extends from the North Kona district
to the town of Hawi in the north. See also our Kohala
Coast map with South Kohala Coast resorts.
Which are the best
Kohala Coast beaches?
We consider Mauna Kea beach and Hapuna beach
the best white sand beaches not just on the Kohala Coast but on
the Big Island. Mauna Kea and Hapuna beach have both been ranked
among the best beaches in the world by Conde Nast Magazine. Other
great options are Wailea Bay in Puako or Anaeho’omalu
Beach (called 'A Bay' by locals) in Waikoloa Beach Resort. Find
more information on Kohala Coast
beaches & photos.
Where can I get a
map of the Big Island and the Kohala Coast?
First of all, you can find a Kohala
Coast map here on our guide. Otherwise, the Internet offers
you lots of options for Big Island maps. Check this site for more
detailed Big
Island maps. However, as you also want to drive around and explore
the Big Island, we recommend getting the real map from the Hawaii
Visitors’ Bureau. This map shows best all Big Island places
of interest. The Big Island Visitors Bureau has an office at the
King’s Shops at Waikoloa Beach Resort. The Big Island Visitors
Bureau offers a free Hawaii’s Big Island Official Vacation
Planner, a colored brochure with information on accommodations,
activities, car rentals, restaurants etc. to help you plan your
perfect vacation. Order the free
vacation planner online or call 1-800-648-2441.
What weather can
we expect on the Kohala Coast?
Kohala Coast weather is probably the best on
the Big Island. Since we have low humidity, the daytime average
temperature of 80+ degrees is very pleasant. Also because of the
trade winds and more north/west location of the Kohala Coast, the
vog (fumes from our steadily oozing volcano), that can affect the
Kona area, does not affect our outdoor activities. See current
Kohala Coast weather and weekly forecasts for Kona weather and Hilo
weather.
When is the best
time to visit the Kohala Coast?
Any time of the year is great, however each season
has its own attractions. As most mainland places become cold and
snowy during the winter months, then it is our high season all over
the Hawaiian Islands, including our Kohala Coast hotels and vacation
rentals. In addition, it’s humpback whale watch season! Spring
and fall are great as well when the surf is just right for boogie
boarding the waves at Hapuna and Mauna Kea beach. If you are on
a budget, this is the perfect time to travel to Hawaii…low
air fares, great discounts at Kohala Coast vacation rentals &
hotels, empty beaches, restaurants etc. In summer, the ocean is
calm and perfect for swimming and snorkeling. Your children are
out of school and can enjoy the beaches. So, no matter when you
visit the Kohala Coast of the Big Island, it will be a unique Hawaii
experience!
Can I go by boat to
another island from the Kohala Coast?
At the present there are no ferries running between
the Hawaiian Islands though one is scheduled to begin in 2007. It
will leave from Kawaihae Harbor on the Kohala Coast to Maui and
Oahu. At the present time, there are cruise ships that travel from
island to island however there is not much time allowed to visit
the land.
Where to stay on the
Kohala Coast?
Much depends on your preferences and your budget.
There are wonderful Big Island vacation rentals and B&Bs available
in every price range and various areas on the Kohala Coast from
the affordable Kohala
Coast Vacation rental for the budget traveler to luxurious Kohala
Coast vacation home
for the more extravagant taste. If you are into the resort scene
and your budget allows it, we have the finest 5-star
Kohala Coast resorts & hotels.
What is there to do
on the Kohala Coast on vacation?
Most of your vacation
activities will be daytime ones, such as snorkeling, scuba,
golfing, whale watching, kayaking,
spectacular hiking or just relaxing on the beach. Waimea town, a
short drive from the Kohala Coast, has public tennis courts. Waimea
Country Club and Waikoloa Village course offer reasonable golf rates.
Mauna Kea summit with stargazing
at the Visitors’ center is another big attractions in the
area of the Kohala Coast. We definitely recommend a daytrip to Volcanoes
National Park, which takes about over 2 hrs one way from the Kohala
Coast. Alternately, you can take a helicopter trip over our active
volcano with Blue
Hawaiian, right from their Waikoloa heliport on the Kohala Coast,
at crossroads Hwy 19/Waikoloa Rd. Saves you lots of time and is
a one of a kind experience (you can feel the heat from the hot lava)
but the adventure is definitely not cheap.
Can we visit Hawaii
Volcanoes National Park during our stay on the Kohala Coast?
Yes, you can and it's worthwhile
the effort with the right preparation. It's about a 2.5 hr drive
from Kohala Coast vacation rentals to Hawaii
Volcanoes National Park taking Hwy 19 via Hilo. Check on lava
flow update on-line or at the phone number of Volcanoes Park
before getting on your trip. The park is open 24 hours a
day, year-round, including holidays. For general information,
lava flow update & weather update, please, call
808-985-6000 or stop at the Kilauea Visitor Center, the
Thomas A. Jaggar Museum or the Volcano House Hotel (808-967-7321
or volcanohouse@earthlink.com
. Volcano Park information is also available at
their website. Temporary road signs will direct you to safe
points whenever eruptions occur. When you enter the park, tune to
AM radio 530 for park information.
Where is the nightlife
on the Kohala Coast?
Compared to the islands of Oahu and Maui, the
Big Island is kind of laid back. There is not a lot of nightlife
on the Kohala Coast. It’s more Hawaiian style mellow hula
& Hawaiian music. Alii Drive on the Kona Coast is more touristy
and attractive for young people offering discos and dancing. However,
Blue Dolphin Restaurant in Kawaihae has Friday and Saturday nights
a live-band playing for dancing. Blue Dolphin is currently under
reconstruction. Call for details 808-882-7711.
Can we hike on the
Kohala Coast?
Yes, there are many fine
hikes available. Our best Big Island valleys are in easy reach
from the Kohala Coast. Pololu Valley Lookout in North Kohala past
Hawi town and Waipio Valley Lookout on the Hamakua Coast past Honokaa
offer stunning ocean and coastal views and offer various hiking
possibilities. Also see our recommended books page for hiking
books.
Are there fitness
centers or health clubs on the Kohala Coast?
All of our Kohala Coast resorts have their own
fitness club. At quite a number of them, visitors can sign up for
a limited membership, like at Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel, Hilton
Waikoloa Beach Resort or Mauna Lani Bay Hotel. Best you call the
individual Kohala Coast hotel
in your area for detailed information and rates. The YMCA runs a
complete fitness center with yoga, pilates, tai chi and chi gong
classes in upcountry Waimea town. Their ph# is 808-885-6270.
Are there Internet
cafes on the Kohala Coast?
An increasing number of vacation rentals and
B&Bs are offering free Internet access. Most Kohala Coast hotels
are providing Internet access for an extra fee. For a minimum fee,
visitors can join the public library in Waimea, which includes Internet
access, so you can check your emails on a daily basis. Mailboxes
etc. in KTA shopping center offer Internet access service too.
Are there
any good restaurants on the Kohala Coast?
Yes, there are actually so many restaurants in
the Kohala Coast resorts or the small town of Waimea and Kawaihae,
from the finest island cuisine to casual dining, that we recommend
visiting our Kohala Coast
Restaurants page for detailed information.
Can we rent bicycles
on the Kohala Coast?
Yes. Bicycles and kayaks are available from C
& S Outfitters in Waimea – Ph# 808-885-5006 or find more
companies offering kayaks &
bikes on the Kohala Coast here.
Where can I get
a therapeutic massage or a facial on the Kohala Coast?
There is a big number of spas available on the
Kohala Coast. Find detailed information on the Kohala Coast resort
spas and services. If you prefer the more customized treatment by
private alternative health practitioners & their more affordable
rates, check the Kekukui
health guide which provides a comprehensive list of massage
therapists, acupuncturists, naturopathic doctors and other alternative
practitioners in the Kohala Coast area. You may also see our list
of Kohala Coast spas and services offered at Kohala Coast resorts
and hotels on our Healing
Vacations page.
Where can I attend
an authentic Hawaiian luau or listen to Hawaiian music?
The Mauna Kea Beach hotel has a Hawaiian style
luau on Tuesdays and nightly Hawaiian music and hula at the Terrace
Bar starting at 6pm and the Marriott at Waikoloa Beach Resort has
a Tahitian style luau on Wednesdays. Find more information on Hawaiian
luaus on the Kohala Coast. Popular slack key guitarist, John
Keawe plays Hawaiian ‘music with an island touch’ at
the Kona Village Resort, the Bamboo Restaurant in Hawi and every
2nd Sunday at the Kings Shops, Waikoloa Beach Resort. See
John Keawe calendar here. Our friend Dexter plays weekends Hawaiian
and contemporary slow rock at the Bamboo Restaurant in Hawi. You
can hear Hawaiian music in most of the resort restaurants and lounges
on the Kohala coast like the Fairmont Orchid Mauna Lani, the Mauna
Kea Resort, the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel, Four Seasons Hualalai...contact
them directly for detailed info before you go.
Where can I swim
with dolphins on the Kohala Coast?
Dolphin
Quest at Hilton Waikoloa Village offers ‘swimming’
with some bottlenose dolphins in a shallow sandy lagoon. It’s
not cheap and environmentalists don’t necessarily agree with
this kind of ‘business’. The humans and the dolphins
seem to enjoy themselves though! Anybody can watch the show for
free. You might also be lucky to encounter wild dolphins when scuba
diving or snorkeling with Kohala
Divers or Mauna
Kea Divers on the Kohala Coast. However, the probability to
see wild dolphins is bigger in the morning hours in the south of
Kona, at Kealakekua Bay or Honaunau National Historical Park. The
best way to see the dolphins is to rent a kayak, and paddle around
in these areas. Bring your snorkel gear too. These are perfect locations
for encountering green sea turtles and tropical fish as well.
Where can
I buy local produce on the Kohala Coast?
Year-round Farmer's Markets in Kailua-Kona, Waimea,
Honokaa and Hawi offer a wonderful supply of fresh tropical fruits
and island vegetables. When you do some cooking on your BBQ at your
vacation rental on the Kohala Coast, don’t miss the Fish Market
in Kawaihae, across from the Mexican restaurant. You can buy fresh
catch of Mahimahi, Ahi, Ono and Snapper Mondays through Saturdays.
Kawaihae also has a great outdoors fruit stand, next to the Blue
Dolphin, where you can get the best strawberry papayas and apple
bananas. There are also big markets for getting groceries in Waimea
and Waikoloa, which are just a short drive from the coast.
What do I need
to know for getting married on the Kohala Coast?
When getting married on the Kohala Coast on the
Big Island or spending your honeymoon, you have lots of alternatives
to choose from for the location for your Hawaii wedding apart from
the traditional Hawaii beach wedding… like a small Hawaiian
chapel in Puako, a beautiful tropical garden or beach anywhere on
the Kohala Coast, or any of our 5-star resorts like Mauna Lani or
Mauna Kea Beach Resort. Read more about wedding
on the Kohala Coast.
Is there public
transportation on the Big Island?
Sorry the Big Island has no public transportation.
There are shuttles between our Kohala Coast resorts, hotels and
their spas or golf courses, which are provided by the hotels for
theirs guests for convenience. Otherwise, there is no public transportation.
The available Hele On bus covers the Island to some extend (you
can request schedule 808-961-8744), but this bus service is more
or less used by residents to make it from point A to point B and
back. Please see our Big Island
Car Rental page.
Can we visit
the Big Island Ironman Triathlon in Kona during our stay on the
Kohala Coast?
We recommend to our Big Island visitors on the
Kohala Coast who’d like to experience this ultimate endurance
test 'live' to either leave their Kohala Coast vacation rental early
in the morning around 5am in order to find a parking lot in Kailua-Kona
and a good position in Alii Drive for watching the most spectacular
scene when thousands of participants jump in the Pacific Ocean at
7am sharp for their 2.4mile swim…or if they are not early
birds but still would like to get a glimpse of the participants
and feel the heat of the competition (and Hawaii!), drive their
car to the junction of Hwy 19 and Hwy 270 to cheer the triathlon
bikers on their way to Hawi. The Hawaii Triathlon World Championship
on the Big Island of Hawaii is a once in a life time experience
you don’t want to miss.
I
heard of the recent 6.9 earthquake on the Kohala Coast. Are there
often earthquakes on the West Coast of the Big Island?
Most earthquakes are centered around the Hawaii
Volcanoes National Park where the active volcanoes like Kilauea
and Mauna Loa are located. Prior to the 10/15/06 earthquake, the
west coast had no major earthquakes registered in that area. Last
big earthquake happened in Hilo in 1975.
How can I stay
in touch with the Big Island and the Kohala Coast?
Best you follow our Kohala
Coast Web Blog where you can read up on anything happening on
the Kohala Coast and the Big Island.
Where can I
buy Kona coffee?
Most stores sell Kona Coffee but if you look for
the authentice 100% Kona Coffee, your might want to go and visit
a Kona Coffee Farm with a free tour and free tasting of 100% Kona
Coffee. Our Hawaiian Gifts page
lists Kona coffee plantations. More on Kona
Coffee.
How safe are
Hawaii Beaches?
When visiting the Hawaiian Islands, we recommend
to use beaches with life guards on duty. Especially the huge waves
in winter can generate riptides, undercurrents and close-to-shore
breaking waves, which can be deadly. Don't try to prove something
to yourself or others. You can find Beach Safety instructions about
Big
Island and Kohala Coast Beaches Here is a story about How safe
are Hawaii
Beaches?
Can I see the
Green Flash on the Kohala Coast?
The Green Flash is a nature phenomenon which can
be seen in the last moment when the sun is disappearing under the
horizon. It's a splash of intense emerald light! The horizon needs
to be totally clear. Even though Hawaii is one of the rare places
in the world where the green flash is more common, it requires to
be at the right spot at the right time. Yes, you can watch it from
any beach on the Kohala Coast where you have a good view of the
sunset. Read more Best
time to watch the Green Flash in Hawaii
Where are the best
snorkel spots on the Kohala Coast
Puako is the preferred snorkel
spot for passionate divers, snorkelers or scuba divers. Puako village
is the only ocean front village on the Kohala Coast (see our Kohala
Coast map). There are several spots for ocean access. Some are
pretty rough though (not the easy white sand beaches). But the abundance
of tropical marine life of all kinds of reef fish in Puako's ocean
waters will reward you. In addition, Puako is one of the best places
to spot and watch the green sea turtles feeding in the shallows,
or basking on the sunny shore. Remember never go snorkeling by yourself.
Always pair up with somebody. And when you want to be on the safe
side book a snorkel or scuba diving tour with Kohala Divers or Mauna
Kea Divers, both located in Kawaihae. Pretty safe snorkeling is
on Mauna Kea beach above the coral reefs where the Manta Rays hang
out at night time.
You still did not find what you were looking for
about your Kohala Coast vacation, search our Kohala Coast Vacation
Guide and Google for more Hawaii, Big Island & Kohala Coast
Vacation Information.
If you have visited the Kohala Coast and know
of another good FAQ to help future visitors to prepare their Kohala
Coast vacation, please, feel free to share it with us and send us
an email.
Mahalo!
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