What to Do in Kailua-Kona?

As a bartender in a tourist destination I find my self frequently answering the same questions, like where to go and what to do?

I put together this list and the Hawai'i Spirit & Brew Map (below) to help travelers and locals find all the best spots! It should be noted that these spots are the best of and good places for tourists and locals to mingle, these are not secret spots which should. in my opinion be left secret spots😏

Remember to drive safe and be patient we are on island time so enjoy it! Aloha G

What to Do on your Trip To Kona

Kona Side

In Town:

BIG ISLAND BOTTLE SHOP

Come by and get all your local spirits & craft brew or n/a beverage needs taken care of with me at Big Island Bottle Shop right on Alii Dr! Tastings and private cocktail class bookings are available. https://bigislandbottleshop.com/.

Hulhe'e Palace: Learn about Hawaiian History and Culture at the Beautiful downtown Hulhe'e Palace! Sign up for a tour here

https://daughtersofhawaii.org/hulihee-palace/

100% Kona Coffee in town https://hawaiiangoatcoffee.com

FOOD;

ALii Poke: Located at Alii Garden epic Poke Bowl on instagram at @aliipoke808

Umekes for a real local plate lunch and epic poke https://www.umekesrestaurants.com/ 

Kohola Coffee For a delicious quick drive through coffee order ahead at https://kohola-coffee.square.site/?location=L4C381SWQYKHW 

Stop by and see Dave at 12th Hawaii Distillery (try the honey shine) https://12thhawaiidistiller.com 

Ola Brewing Company for the worlds best seltzers (try the lemongrass), and some great ciders and beers all made locallyhttps://www.olabrewco.com/ 

Dolphin Spit best dive bar but Kareoke is at Sam's Hideaway

Watch the body boarders at Magic Sands

If you are a surfer you can rent a board and paddle out at Kahalu'u

Must do is a night dive with the Manta Rey’s

Music at night you can check

 Willies hot chicken https://willieshotchicken.com/(and the chicken is excellent) or Thursdays at Royal Kona for happy hour is the best live local music

Jackie Reys is good upscale food & Happy Hour https://www.jackiereys.com/ 

Fishhopper Great Happy Hour -Good Clam Chowder & Best Seafood at  https://www.fishhopperkona.com/ 

Mybar is our fav local gay bar :)

Papa Kona for cocktails, food & sunsets

Football at Lavernes https://laverneskona.com 

Kona Inn for Sunset, Sashimi & a Mai Tai https://konainnrestaurant.com/ 

Aloha Vibes for Cocktails & Sunset View alohavibes.com

Cheeky Tiki for Tiki Drinks & a View https://cheekytikikona.com/

Stop by Alii Market for great local goods to take home with you! Art work, local tea and honey plus check Shaka Tacos Kona Location https://shakatacoz.com  

Keauhou FARMERS MARKET: Saturday Am Market 8-1 pm for veggies and flowers

Some Shopping Spots not to miss:

Right down the lane from us go see our friends at

Bee Chi Apothecary: Get all your herbs, high vibrational goods, crystals and the best organic local skin care here!

Pueo Boutique: Swing by here for Aloha bags, cute clothes, baby clothes, and accessories.

Around the corner

Tasty Kona: Cute clothes and souvenirs!

Heading Down South:

Coffee at Kona Joes in Holualoa for epic coffee and the best view! Some great vintage shops on that drive too https://www.konajoe.com

Captain Cook Monument- pick up a kayak at https://www.konaboys.com/surf/beach-shack/ or just take the lazy drive down

Check out https://rebelkitchen.com/ Rebel Kitchen for Lunch

Big Island Bees has a cute little bee hive Community & shop set up down there so grab some honey https://bigislandbees.com/

Check out Painted Church

Tons of vintage stores are along this route and you can find some great scores

Green Sand Beach but you gotta have 4 wheel

South Point, The southern most part of the island chain and you can jump off the cliff

Punaluu Bakery is a must stop https://www.bakeshophawaii.com/?srsltid=AfmBOooICSzXh7wW6-kfhAk7dhUSgiX_ciksNYOu-KyEU-bKjTvR5Hs-

Heading north

Best beach is Hapuna beach or Kua bay is also stunning- both are paid parking

Kuleana Rum Shack in Waikoloa is a must visit, they make our local agricole https://kuleanarum.com

If your feeling up for it the Four Seasons has a stunning beach bar called the Beach Tree, I like to stop by for a glass of wine now and again

Smashburger is and epic burger in Waikoloa, as well as other more trendy shops for the vacationers

Seafood Bar is great for happy hour, snacks and seafood

Swing by King Kamehameha’s Heiau to walk in the footsteps of a very tall King https://www.nps.gov/puhe/index.htm

Waimea

Fish and Hog best bbq https://www.fishandthehog.com

Waimea butcher shop is pretty amazing http://www.waimeabutchershop.com

Big Island Brewhouse for epic brews https://bigislandbrewhaus.com/

Great farmers market Wednesday and Sunday am https://waimeatownmarket.com/

Cutest little coffee shop Waimea Coffee Co http://www.waimeacoffeecompany.com/

Hamakua Coast drive is stunning and there is the train museum in Lapahoehoe on the way to Hilo https://www.thetrainmuseum.com/

Texs Bakery for Malasadas

Don't forget to take the senic route just before Hilo town

Hilo Side-

Hilo brew make some great beers, their lager is excellent and red ale is great too swing by the brewery https://hilobrewingco.com

Ola has a brewery in town swing by for a seltzer or taste their new Okolehau https://www.olabrewco.com/hilotaproom

The Newest Brewery on Island is Wailuku Breweryhttp://www.wailukubrewworks.com/

Cruise Banyan Drive

Visit the King Kamehameha Statue https://www.hvcb.org/listing/king-kamehameha-statue-(hilo)/109425/

Visit Akaka Falls & Rainbow Falls https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/parks/hawaii/akaka-falls-state-park/

Walk the Hilo Waterfront Shops

Visit the Hilo Farmers Market http://hilofarmersmarket.com/

Temple Bar https://thetemple.bar/

New Speakeasy by the name of thehiddennene must visit if you can!

Ok Farms Tour, Sign up for the tour, they are above the water falls and are just really amazing people, I use all their spices for my cocktails big island cinnamon, nutmeg, clove allspice. And they have a farm store w tons of other local good stuff https://www.okfarmshawaii.com/

Kuhio Grill has the best laulau so good 😊 https://www.kuhiogrille.com/

On Hilo side Carl-smith beach park is where all the turtles are it’s really lovely gotta stop by there

Big Island is known for the observatory at Mauna Kea, you must have 4 wheel drive and remember its freezing up there! Definitely worth the trip. https://about.ifa.hawaii.edu/facility/mauna-kea-observatories/

Wanna go look at the moon and stars on a magical mountain? Check out Mauna Kea Summit Adventure https://maunakea.com

Volcano National Park, I mean yeah you should check it out, there is also a winery there! https://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm dress warm you wouldn't think it but its usually chilly

Don't forget to check out the Hawai'i Spirit & Brew map page for a list of all of the craft distilleries & breweries in the Islands!

To Spirit & Brew Map Page