Kona is the heart of the sunny side of the Big Island. It's a historic region promising balmy weather, white sand beaches, Kona coffee country, tropical flowers and trees, fantastic snorkeling and diving and countless other adventure opportunities. Hualalai, an 8,271-foot dormant volcano, towers above it all. Three distinct areas comprise the Kona district: North Kona, South Kona, and the "big city" of Kailua-Kona. The bustling commercial hub was the capital of Hawaii from 1812 to 1819, when King Kamehameha the Great lived out his life at Ahu`ena Heiau near the Kailua Pier. Nearby Hulihe`e Palace was a retreat for generations of Hawaiian royalty, or ali`i, and in honor of this legacy, the main street in Kailua-Kona is named Alii Drive. Today, Alii Drive is an oceanfront boulevard teeming with tourists visiting the strip's lively restaurants, shops and art galleries. We travel to grow – our Adventure Guides show you how. Experience the places you visit more directly, freshly, intensely than you would otherwise – sometimes best done on foot, in a canoe, or through cultural adventures like art courses, cooking classes, learning the language, meeting the people, joining in the festivals and celebrations. This can make your trip life-changing, unforgettable. All of the detailed information you need is here about the hotels, restaurants, shopping, sightseeing. But we also lead you to new discoveries, turning corners you haven't turned before, helping you to interact with the world in new ways. That's what makes our Adventure Guides unique. Written by two island residents, here is the most extensive and up-to-date guide by far. The lush tropical forests, the lava flow deserts, the sun-drenched beaches, the cuisine, the fiery sunsets and the idyllic weather are unforgettable. Try snorkeling in a coral garden, swimming with dolphins, night diving with manta rays, hiking to a waterfall, horseback riding, taking a helicopter ride, examining petroglyphs, surfing, whale-watching, or learning the hula. This guide is taken from our much larger guide to Hawaii: The Big Island. Following are reviews of the compete book: "This is one the best guidebooks I've ever read... I could never do everything in this book if I had a year of vacation instead of two weeks. But it'll be fun to try." -- Laura Suraci. "Anyone who is planning a trip to Hawaii would benefit from this book. I've already been there, but now I can't wait to go back!" -- Jerry Dunlap. ""This book got me totally psyched for my trip to the Big Island. And then it was even better once we were there! We went to so many places that we would never have known about, from bars and restaurants to killer beaches. The writing style was really fun and easy to read. If you're planning a trip to Hawaii, buy this book!" -- C.A. Kennedy. "There is so much information packed in here that I wish we had more time for our trip. After reading through the guide, I feel like I'm prepared to spend months on the island trying out something new every day, or just relaxing in great locals' spots that other guides don't cover. This has been a tremendous help in planning our trip." -- Guidebooklover. "We have been coming to the Big Island for years. This guide provided us with tons of valuable local insights....This is by far the BEST Big Island guide book I have ever used!! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this guide!"" -- Marcia Elvidge. "I've been to Hawaii several times and used other guidebooks, but this is the best I've ever seen." – Coltrane
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