Anyone been to Kailua Kona?

[Devils_Advocate]

I'm off to Kailua Kona in a couple of weeks. Anyone have any recommendations?

Great Restaurants, Sights, Tourist Traps to avoid?

 

[praxis]

Here's a start for you:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g60872-Activities-Kailua_Kona_Island_of_Hawaii_Hawaii.html

It really depends on what interests you - things are not necessarily in the Kona area - you may have to drive around the big island (Hawaii) to see volcanoes (Kilauea) or the big telescopes atop Mauna Kea. There's also plenty of places to go surfing and scuba diving.

 

[SuperGrover]

Volcano National Park was the highlight for me on the Big Island. Allocate sufficient time for this. You can't see this anywhere else.

Avoid the Hilo-side of the island because it is too wet and grey. Also avoid the falls on the north side of the island. The locals rave about the falls, but they are pathetic compared to what we have in BC.

Don't cheap out on the car rental. Rent a convertible car or even a Jeep -- it is worth it.

If you like coffee, you may become addicted to Kona coffee. I brought some home with me.

The observatory can only be reached using a 4x4. I found the observatory, itself, to be quite boring.

At night, you can see the lights on Maui from the north tip of Hawaii.

 

[Sir Jim]

Spent a week there last year. Stayed at the Sheraton in Kona. Highlite was a 4 hour heli ride around the whole island stopping on the volcanoes and checking out the lava beds. Certainly a top 10 life experience for me. The falls from the helicopter on the north side are the best in the entire world! Hilo was nothing special just real Hawaii for those who live there.