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![[IMAGE: Drop cap K]](images/letter_K.gif){kind=small}
e-ahole
Airport is fast becoming a final destination point for the wise visitor to Hawaii. Due to
the new run-way extension, for the first time 747's are flying directly to Kona. As you
come into the Kona Airport you will feel that you have just landed on the moon. The County
has made use of a volcano flow of the 1800's to set in a new airport 9.5 miles north of
the lush tropical village of Kailua-Kona. The old airport just out of town, is now a
County Park. If you must have an airport, and we did, then new lava is a good choice in
consideration of the eco-system.
Kailua-Kona overflows with history. In 1812 King Kamehameha resided at Kamakahonu (Kailua) until his death on May 8, 1819 on Kailua Bay. The missionaries first landed in Hawaii at Kailua-Kona on April 20 1820 after the Kapu system had been destroyed by the Hawaiian People. The first church, Mokuaikaua was dedicated in 1837 and is one of the most beautiful structures anywhere. In 1838 Governor Kuakini built Hulihe'e Palace. The Daughters of Hawaii have restored the structure and made it into a public exhibiting hall of old Hawaii. The lawn is a beautiful place to have a picnic right next to the bay. The little village has been locked in time by the County and with the pier and bay is a wonderful sunset experience. Only five miles away is the quaint artist colony of Holualoa in Up-Country Kona Coffee Country. Old stores, shops and some of the best artists in Hawaii share the beauty of their gifts. Holualoa is really an exciting adventure.
The Sunny Kona Coast has lots
of beautiful places to go, great beaches and many activities: Game Fishing, the best in
the world, Guide Hunting for wild boar, Skiing Mauna Kea, submarine excursion, para
sailing, jet skis, sailing and on and on. Kahalu'u is one of the finest protected
snorkeling beaches anywhere.
Conde Nes elected Hapuna Beach only 30 minutes north of Kailua as one of the best white sand beaches in the world. Kailua-Kona hosts the Ironman Triathlon in October each year, the Kona Coffee Festival begins at the end of October. The rainfall in Kailua-Kona is a very moderate 30 inches per year. You should allow at least 4 days to make a quick look at the Big Island. To really have time to relax you should allow a week, remember, you want to go home renewed.
