Kona.us: Kona, Hawaii for all of Us
Come join us at www.kona.us for information about Kona, Hawaii. Kona.us is a place to discover and learn about the area in West Hawaii called Kona, Hawaii. It includes North and South Kona--an area that has great beaches, the world-famous Kona coffee, old-timers and new timers, tourists and locals. We all share the land, the water and the culture of this wonderful place in paradise. Kona.us is your place to take part in this virtual Kona Hawaii community. Aloha!
Our only request is that your questions and comments are respectful of others and, if you write a review or answer a question, your information is based on your experience and not rumor or second-hand information. We want this to be a place that is full of interesting, insightful and reliable information.
The Name Kona, Hawaii
The word "Kona" can be ambiguous. In Hawaiian, "Kona" means means leeward, the dry side of the island. This is a geographic description of Kona's location on the leeward (as opposed to windward) side of the Hawaii Island, also called the Big Island. It comprises two districts, North and South Kona. It's also the name that many people use to refer to Kailua-Kona, the largest city, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Kailua-Kona is actually more of a postal description, which is used to distinguish Kailua Village from Kailua on Oahu. So, Kona is a geographic location, used to describe two districts, and the name commonly used to describe Kailua-Kona, the largest city in Kona.
Visiting Kona, Hawaii
The Kona area of Hawaii offers great opportunities for those who enjoy the ocean. There are few places in Kona that are more than a few miles away from the ocean. Locals and tourists alike enjoy deep sea fishing, scuba diving, snorkeling, surfing, sailing, cruising, ocean kayaking and just relaxing at the beach. Even if you don't go in or on the water, you'll love the magnificent sunsets.
Most visitors tend to stay in Kailua-Kona, which is a great base for exploring all of Hawaii Island. At the northern end of the Kona coffee belt, Kailua-Kona is just a short drive away from exploring some of the best gourmet coffee-producing farms in the world. It's also home to some of the best (and beginner-friendly) snorkeling and surfing in Hawaii at Kahalu'u Beach. For a little more wave action, there is White Sands Beach, also in Kailua-Kona. Other popular beaches include Honl's for surfing and bogey-boarding and Ke Kahakai State Park for a bit of relaxation on secluded white sand beaches.