Kona is one of my favorite towns on the Big Island of Hawaii.
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View of Kona waterfront from Kailua pier
The swells were very high this day and kids were jumping off the pier into the water. When the swell was as high as the pier, they could just pull themselves back. up onto the pier.
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This is another place with more than one name:
It goes by Kailua-Kona, Kona, Kailua or sometimes, Kailuatown. I’m going to refer to it as Kona.
Kona is right on the waterfront and it is almost always hot and sunny here. Especially after coming down from Waimea. The most popular tourist area is Alii Drive starting at the Kailua pier. It is busy with restaurants, shops and galleries. It is the place to take a stroll.
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View of part of Kona waterfront. The greenish building houses a delicious seafood restaurant.
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Kona town is on the west coast or lee side of Hawaii. This is the dry side of the island. It is sheltered from the trade winds by the Hualalai Volcano. The wind it does get are from wrap around sea breezes. It is about 8 miles south of the Kailua-Kona airport.
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Hulihe'e Palace, where Hawiian royalty once vacationed, is now a museum.
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Fancy palace gate
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looking up an old driveway on Alii drive
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view along the seawall
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a kiddie beach right in town
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Humpy's, one of the popular casual restaurants to grab a beer and a puupuu (Hawaiian for appetizer) with a view
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view from Humpy's
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On the 3rd Sunday of the month there is a market on Ali'i Drive.
Kona has a spectacular 4th of July parade and fire works
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just another little beach in Kona
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For more facts on Kailua-Kona, click the link:
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Aloha
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Evening beach scene looking south towards Kona
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