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 is served by two international airports, Hilo and Keahole. A number of major airlines fly into and out of Keahole. Passengers arrive from destinations such as Los Angeles, San Jose, San Diego, Oakland, and San Francisco in California. The district is also accessible by air from Portland OR, Seattle/Tacoma WA, Denver CO, and Phoenix AZ. Keahole Airport also receives seasonal traffic from Anchorage, AL and the Canadian city of Vancouver BC.
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 district has a suburban residential feel about it instead of a bustling tourist spot with bright lights, noise and crowds. While there is sufficient availability of accommodation, it is easy to blend in with the local residents. There is a special shrimp restaurant situated right on the coastline overlooking Kailua Bay, where diners can watch swimming humpback whales and body-boarding humans hurling themselves into the waves.
The dormant volcano, Mauna Kea, is also within comfortable driving distance. One million years old, and rising 14,000 feet above sea level, it is taller than Everest and the tallest peak in the state. The Mauna Kea Observatory is the biggest such facility on the planet.
If you feel like an adventure and can summon the nerve, try parasailing. Basically, this involves you strapped into a parachute, a speed boat and a length of very, very strong rope. Many people allow themselves to dangle 800 above the crystal blue sea, while others signal a desire to go as high as 1,200 feet. If you don't mind your tummy tickling you to distraction, the views are tremendous and when the boat stops and you are allowed to free fall, it really is amazing.
Not everybody has the guts for a tummy-tickling experience a quarter of a mile above the surface of the sea. If your are looking for a more gentle seaborne experience, there is no shortage of boat trips on the island. Try raft cruising, discover dolphins, or cruise on a whitewater raft.
The great thing about staying in Kona is that you have all the necessary facilities for sustaining life and leisure without the extortionate prices you find in a typical tourist trap. A lot of the available accommodation comes with patios or balconies, so you can convince yourself that you are a local resident living in an apartment. You get a sense of belonging to the neighborhood while retaining an element of independence.
The island is served by two international airports, Hilo and Keahole. A number of major airlines fly into and out of Keahole. Passengers arrive from destinations such as Los Angeles, San Jose, San Diego, Oakland, and San Francisco in California. The district is also accessible by air from Portland OR, Seattle/Tacoma WA, Denver CO, and Phoenix AZ. Keahole Airport also receives seasonal traffic from Anchorage, AL and the Canadian city of Vancouver BC.
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 district has a suburban residential feel about it instead of a bustling tourist spot with bright lights, noise and crowds. While there is sufficient availability of accommodation, it is easy to blend in with the local residents. There is a special shrimp restaurant situated right on the coastline overlooking Kailua Bay, where diners can watch swimming humpback whales and body-boarding humans hurling themselves into the waves.
The dormant volcano, Mauna Kea, is also within comfortable driving distance. One million years old, and rising 14,000 feet above sea level, it is taller than Everest and the tallest peak in the state. The Mauna Kea Observatory is the biggest such facility on the planet.
If you feel like an adventure and can summon the nerve, try parasailing. Basically, this involves you strapped into a parachute, a speed boat and a length of very, very strong rope. Many people allow themselves to dangle 800 above the crystal blue sea, while others signal a desire to go as high as 1,200 feet. If you don't mind your tummy tickling you to distraction, the views are tremendous and when the boat stops and you are allowed to free fall, it really is amazing.
Not everybody has the guts for a tummy-tickling experience a quarter of a mile above the surface of the sea. If your are looking for a more gentle seaborne experience, there is no shortage of boat trips on the island. Try raft cruising, discover dolphins, or cruise on a whitewater raft.
The great thing about staying in Kona is that you have all the necessary facilities for sustaining life and leisure without the extortionate prices you find in a typical tourist trap. A lot of the available accommodation comes with patios or balconies, so you can convince yourself that you are a local resident living in an apartment. You get a sense of belonging to the neighborhood while retaining an element of independence.
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