Where is the Kohala
Coast?
It's on the West coast of Hawaii Big Island,
on the drier, sunnier side also known as the Gold Coast. The area that
comprises the Kohala Coast extends from the South Kohala Resorts (visit beaches & resorts on our South Kohala map) in the north of Kona, all the way to North Kohala to the town of Hawi in the north tip of the Big Island.
Which are the best
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 (also called 'Beach 69' by locals) in Puako or Anaeho’omalu
Beach (called 'A Bay' beach by locals) in Waikoloa Beach Resort.
Where can I get a
map of the Big Island and the Kohala Coast?
First of all, you can find a map of the Kohala Coast right here on Kohala Coast Web. Otherwise, the Internet offers
you lots of options for Big Island maps. This site Big
Island maps offers different island maps for various purposes. Best part of the maps it provides driving distances with driving times to major Big Island sights. 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 Visitors
Bureau offers a free Hawaii’s Big Island Official Vacation
Planner, a wonderful colored brochure with information on accommodations,
activities, car rentals, restaurants etc. to help you plan your
perfect vacation. Order your FREE Hawaii Island Vacation Guide online or call 1-800-648-2441.
What weather can
we expect on the West 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 outdoor activities. See current
weather and forecast from the Waikoloa weather station and the
Doppler Radar Image of Hawaii w/current cloud cover & rain.
When is the best
time to visit?
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 the South and North Kohala areas. 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 from vacation rental hosts &
spring discounts from 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 Kawaihae Harbor?
At the present there are no ferries running between
the Hawaiian Islands. The ferry run between Kawaihae Harbor in South Kohala to Maui and
Oahu did not last long in 2007. 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. Cruise ships visiting the Big Island stop in Hilo and Kona. Kawaihae Harbor on the Kohala Coast is not big enough for cruise ships.
Where to stay on the South and North
Kohala Coast?
Much depends on your preferences and your budget.
There are wonderful vacation rentals and B&Bs available
in the affordable price range and various areas from South to North Kohala for the budget traveler. You may also choose a luxury ocean view home in gated Kohala Ranch or at Kohala Estates. If you are into the resort scene
and your budget allows it, 5-star South Kohala resorts invite you to their oceanfront hotels.
Things to do on my vacation on the West coast?
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 located among the rolling hills of Parker Ranch, is a
short drive from the coast, has public tennis courts, lots of restaurants, great markets & art galleries. Mauna Kea summit with stargazing
at the Visitors’ center is another big attractions in the
area of the Kohala Coast. We definitely recommend a day trip to Hawaii Volcanoes
National Park, which takes about over 2.5 hrs one way from the Kohala
Coast when taking the Hwy 19 via Waimea and Hilo. Alternately, you can take a helicopter trip over Big Island's active
volcano Kilauea with Blue Hawaiian, right from their Waikoloa heliport in South Kohala across from the entrance to Waikoloa Beach Resort 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.
What to know about visiting Volcanoes Park?
As said above it's worthwhile
the efforts to visit Volcano.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).
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.
Is there a nightlife at South Kohala Resorts?
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 but lately two restaurants, the 'Blue Dragon' in Kawaihae and the 'Redwater Cafe' in Waimea get lots of attention hype by visitors and residents alike for their island food and live music with dancing! Otherwise, with our resorts it’s more Hawaiian style mellow hula
& Hawaiian music. Besides hula, no dancing there. BTW, Alii Drive on the Kona Coast is more touristy
and attractive for young people offering discos and dancing. However,
check out Blue Dragon and Redwater Cafe first before you head all the way to Kona for dancing.
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 Bamboo Restaurant in Hawi in North Kohala and also in South Kohala at the Kings Shops in Waikoloa Beach Resort. See John Keawe calendar here. 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 or Four Seasons Hualalai.
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 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 Internet
cafes on the Kohala Coast?
Most of our vacation rental hosts offer free high speed Internet access included in their rate. 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.
Can we rent bicycles
on the Kohala Coast?
Yes. Bicycles are available for rent in Waikoloa Village at Bike Rental Waikoloa centrally located for everybody who stays on the Kohala Coast.
Where can I swim
with dolphins?
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 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 nearbyt?
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 restaurant, 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 in Hawaii?
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?
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 rental home 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.
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
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 in South Kohala?
Puako is the preferred snorkel
spot for passionate divers, snorkelers or scuba divers. Puako village
is the only ocean front village in the South Kohala resort area (see our 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.
Do I need to
pay any Hawaii accommodation taxat private rentals?
Yes, no matter what island in Hawaii and where
on the island you are staying, you have to pay Hawaii accommodation
tax in addition to your nightly rate. The Hawaii accommodation tax
has changed. Hawaii accommodation tax is
13.42%.
You still did not find what you were looking for
about your Kohala Coast vacation, search our Kohala Coast Vacation
Guide or 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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