Kona – Big Is. 5

Links to Molokai, Oahu, Big Island,

Big Island 2, Big Island 3, & Big Island 4

A Bit of Background

Our two-week trip to the 50th state comes to an end. Below are a few pictures of Kona along the old main street. Officially, many refer to the city as Kailua-Kona, which are two cities linked together. Kona has a population of approximately 20,000 and is the second largest city on the Big Island. Hilo is the largest. Most tourists arrive via the Kona International Airport due to the fact that it is on the dry side of the island. Most of the resorts were built within a few miles of the airport. King Kamehameha I originally designated Kona to be the capital before eventually moving it to Lahaina and later, Honolulu.

Below are four pictures of Kona: 1) Kailua Bay which is visible as you walk the main street; 2) Hulihe’e Palace, once a summer home for the monarchy and now a museum; 3) the weekly farmers market; and 4) the Mokuaikaua Church, the oldest Christian church on the Islands.

Kailua Bay is visible from anywhere on the main street. It is wonderful just to quietly sit and watch the waves roll in.
The museum is worth the expenditure.
Fun event to visit
Mokuaikaua Church is the oldest Christian church on the Islands. One Sunday, Jan and I attended service there.