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A TOUR OF THE BIG ISLAND, HAWAII AT
ITS BEST
Kailua-Kona
It's more than history and culture
that makes the big island a special place to visit, it's fun and excitement!
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things to do and see on the big island are limited only by your imagination. The big
island experience begins on the sunny Kona coast with its luring charm that has captivated
Hawaiian royalty as well as visiting travelers for over two centuries. |
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Kailua is a colorful and picturesque bay front
fishing village. Here is the perfect combination of the best of old Hawaii with all
the conveniences of a modern resort town. You have a choice of first class resort
hotels and condominiums scattered along the coastline.
The village offers an interesting variety of shops,
boutiques and malls which open onto the main street of Ali’i drive. You have a
colorful selection of fabrics and gifts, from all over the world. Kailua also boasts some
of the best restaurants found on any island in the Pacific, serving fresh caught island
fish as well as all of your continental favorites. You'll find no shortage of
entertainment along the coast either, from an exotic Polynesian review show to, a romantic
sunset dinner sail down the coastline.
| Kailua also has a number
of well preserved historical sites worth seeing. The Ahu'ena Heiau, or temple, in
Komakahonu bay, next to the pier, was rebuilt by King Kamehameha the Great, and used as
the seat of his government in his later years. |
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| Across the bay, and in
the center of the village, is Hulihee Palace built in 1838 by Governor John Kuakini
brother-in-law to Kamehameha. It became the summer palace of King Kalakaua.
Today it is a museum housing artifacts from the 1800's and it is elegantly furnished in
the authentic Victorian-Hawaiian manner of that period. |
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| Directly across the
street from the palace is Mokuaikaua church, the first Christian church in the islands.
The lava rock and coral building was first dedicated in 1823 and finally finished
14 years later. |
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Return to the
Big Island Television Visitor's Information Page
Introduction & History
Continue the tour From Keauhou to Honaunau
Continue the tour on the Kohala Coast
Continue the tour in Kamuela & Honokaa
Continue the tour in Hilo
Continue the tour in Volcano National Park & Mauna Kea
Continue the tour at
Mauna Kea
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