Kailua Kona Real Estate

Kailua Kona, also known simply as “Kona”, is the largest community on the west side of the Big Island and is served by the Kona International Airport.  The population of Kona is approximately 15,000 but during the high tourist seasons the effective population can more than double.  The mix of housing in the Kona area ranges from multimillion dollar homes to $100,000 leasehold condominiums.  Kona is home to the Palamanui Community College campus, which is part of the University of Hawaii system.  A multitude of short-term vacation rentals (generally condos, but including some houses as well) and Bed & Breakfasts augment the hotels in providing accommodations for tourists.  There are a number of hotels along Alii Drive, Kona’s main street for tourism and restaurants, ranging from the Courtyard King Kamehameha at the north end of Alii Drive to the Sheraton Keauhou at the south end. 

Activities in the Kona area include water sports, from snorkeling (in Kona or boat trips to snorkeling sites along the coast) to surfing, diving, swimming, paddling, and sailing and fishing charters.  There are numerous sightseeing opportunities, including coffee farm tours, a vanilla farm tour, a cacao farm tour, whale watching (November through March) and even a wild animal sanctuary.  You can learn about the Hawaiian history and culture at the Honaunau City of Refuge near Captain Cook and the Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park to the north of Kona.  Hiking trails and biking offer the opportunity to explore the countryside while getting a healthy dose of exercise.  Kona also hosts the Ironman Triathlon World Championships annually in October.