The Archipelago of five islands that make up Hawaii was granted entry into the union as the 50th American state in the summer of 1959. A scant 18 degrees north of the equator, its tempting tropical climate makes it an extremely popular destination for tourists. Visitors who want to get away from the hustle, bustle and expense of tourist Hawaii find tranquil comfort, together with independence, in the district of Kona, on the western, or lee side, of Hawaii, the Big Island.
The island of Hawaii is small enough to drive around the circumference in a day, and yet it has enough air traffic to support two airports, one in the nearby district of Keahole and the other side of the island in Hilo. Keahole is accessible from cities in California (LA, San Jose, San Francisco, Oakland, San Diego), Phoenix, Arizona; Seattle/Tacoma, Washington; and Portland, Oregon. Other accessible destinations are Anchorage in Alaska and Vancouver, British Columbia in Canada.
The architecture of the airport befits that of a southern pacific resort, a series of open-air chalet-style buildings graced with palm trees. It could just as easily be a restaurant or night club. Despite its island charm, Keahole has all the standard passenger services that you would expect to find at any other passenger air terminal.
The local area definitely feels more like a suburban neighborhood than it does a tourist resort. The bright lights, crowds, and noise are out there somewhere if you want to go looking for them but they are not in your face. There is all the accommodation you could ask for and all the amenities your heart could desire. At one restaurant in particular, diners can sip cocktails or mocktails on the coast of Kailua Bay and observe body-boarders being tossed in the surf or humpback whales swimming with other humpback whales.
The island is just the right size for sight-seeing in that nothing is too far away. Mauna Kea is a dormant volcano standing nearly 14,000 feet above sea level. It is the highest peak in Hawaii. A million years old, it is actually taller than Mount Everest. The Mauna Kea Observatory is the largest facility of its kind in the world.
Feeling bold and adventurous? Try parasailing. Here, you are hitched into a harness with a parachute and towed behind a speeding boat, while your lead is gradually let further and further out. Maybe you stop at 800 feet over the crystal clear blue waters, or maybe you signal to go higher. Either way, your tummy tickles like crazy while you gaze at the beautiful scenery and float gently in free fall. Alternatively, hire a motorized sea vehicle.
Those who don't care to toss their lunch a quarter of a mile down into the sea can still enjoy a boat trip. There are dolphins to discover, rafts to cruise and diving to be done. Whatever type of marine adventure you are after, you should certainly be able to find it here.
What makes staying in Kona great is its atmosphere of suburban independence. You have access to whatever you need in terms of food, shopping, and sight seeing but without the crowds and high prices. If you are lucky enough to find accommodation with your own balcony or patio, you can pretend that you really live there and have your own apartment. It makes you feel like you belong there.
The island of Hawaii is small enough to drive around the circumference in a day, and yet it has enough air traffic to support two airports, one in the nearby district of Keahole and the other side of the island in Hilo. Keahole is accessible from cities in California (LA, San Jose, San Francisco, Oakland, San Diego), Phoenix, Arizona; Seattle/Tacoma, Washington; and Portland, Oregon. Other accessible destinations are Anchorage in Alaska and Vancouver, British Columbia in Canada.
The architecture of the airport befits that of a southern pacific resort, a series of open-air chalet-style buildings graced with palm trees. It could just as easily be a restaurant or night club. Despite its island charm, Keahole has all the standard passenger services that you would expect to find at any other passenger air terminal.
The local area definitely feels more like a suburban neighborhood than it does a tourist resort. The bright lights, crowds, and noise are out there somewhere if you want to go looking for them but they are not in your face. There is all the accommodation you could ask for and all the amenities your heart could desire. At one restaurant in particular, diners can sip cocktails or mocktails on the coast of Kailua Bay and observe body-boarders being tossed in the surf or humpback whales swimming with other humpback whales.
The island is just the right size for sight-seeing in that nothing is too far away. Mauna Kea is a dormant volcano standing nearly 14,000 feet above sea level. It is the highest peak in Hawaii. A million years old, it is actually taller than Mount Everest. The Mauna Kea Observatory is the largest facility of its kind in the world.
Feeling bold and adventurous? Try parasailing. Here, you are hitched into a harness with a parachute and towed behind a speeding boat, while your lead is gradually let further and further out. Maybe you stop at 800 feet over the crystal clear blue waters, or maybe you signal to go higher. Either way, your tummy tickles like crazy while you gaze at the beautiful scenery and float gently in free fall. Alternatively, hire a motorized sea vehicle.
Those who don't care to toss their lunch a quarter of a mile down into the sea can still enjoy a boat trip. There are dolphins to discover, rafts to cruise and diving to be done. Whatever type of marine adventure you are after, you should certainly be able to find it here.
What makes staying in Kona great is its atmosphere of suburban independence. You have access to whatever you need in terms of food, shopping, and sight seeing but without the crowds and high prices. If you are lucky enough to find accommodation with your own balcony or patio, you can pretend that you really live there and have your own apartment. It makes you feel like you belong there.
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