
Kailua-Kona was the capital of the unified Hawaiian Kingdom from 1812 to 1819 — King Kamehameha I lived at Kamakahonu and died there on May 8, 1819.
The Kona Coffee Belt above the town — farmed for generations by Japanese-American families — is the only place in the United States where coffee is grown at commercial scale.
Why People Visit Kailua-Kona Hawaiʻi
- Tour Puuhonua o Honaunau, sacred refuge with temples and coastal lava platforms.
- Walk Kaloko Honokohau paths, fishponds, petroglyphs, and quiet shoreline coves.
- Visit Hulihee Palace, seaside residence with artifacts and galleries.
- Stroll Alii Drive, palms, seawalls, and ocean viewpoints along the strip.
- Stand by the Kailua Pier, boats and breezes over the turquoise bay.