Heavenly Hawaii
the sweetspot.ca guide to kailua-konacanada
(Jan.21.12)
Six times the size of Oahu but with only 1/5 the population, Hawaii’s Big Island offers picturesque beaches, authentic cuisine and volcanic adventures galore.
Where to Sleep:
Most snowbirds and repeat visitors opt for short-term vacation rentals, but first timers to the island should check into the centrally-located Royal Kona Resort (from $150), one of the largest hotels on the island, with sweeping oceanfront views of Kailua Bay.
If mega-luxury from a big-name hotel is more your thing, the Four Seasons Hualalai (from $625) is about a 25-minute drive outside Kailua-Kona (still close enough if you need a day trip) and boasts a Jack Nicklaus golf course.
Where to Eat:
Start each day at Island Lava Java, a busy café with delicious breakfasts — papaya, yogurt and granola, anyone? — and, of course, coffee brewed using famous Kona beans.
For authentic Hawaiian cuisine, take a wander (you might have to ask for directions) to Kanaka Kava in Coconut Grove. Organic awa (kava) may look like muddy water, but it’s a traditional ceremonial drink that’s loved for its feel-good effects. Pair it with savoury pupus (Hawaiian tapas) our favourite was poke (pronounced po-kay), a dish of raw, cubed Ahi tuna, mixed with seaweed and sesame oil.
What to Do:
Nearly every beach in Kona is gorgeous, but if you tire of reading tabloids horizontally on the white sand and snorkelling with giant sea turtles, rent a car and head for the volcanos. Mauna Kea is dormant and the highest, peaking at 4200m above sea level —so high that the visitor information office boasts photos of keen snowboarders.
To see an active volcano, visit either Mauna Loa, the largest active shield volcano on earth, or Kilauea, about 160km from Kailua-Kona. Evidence of lava and steaming rocks are everywhere — sights you won’t want to miss.
Sweet Tip:
Most businesses in Kailua-Kona are situated along a one-kilometre stretch of Alii Drive, but it’s worth renting a car and taking road trips to see quaint towns such as Honomu and Hawi, as well as the island capital, Hilo — but keep in mind that the latter is more than two hours away, on the “wet side” of the island.