KONA,
HAWAII
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Step onto the lanai and curl up in your deck chair, and settle in to watch a sunset like you’ve never seen before.
Aloha! WestJet is thrilled to welcome you to our newest Hawaiian destination - Kona, on Hawaii’s Big Island.
Kona boasts many contrasts and pleasures for you to experience. Famous for the active Kilauea Volcano, and extraordinary for the eleven different climate zones, you’ll find a little bit of everything on Hawaii’s Big Island from lush rain forests to arid deserts, and from black sand beaches to snow-capped mountains.
Guests who crave adventure will be spoiled for choice on Hawaii’s Big Island. Kona offers unbelievable biking trails through rocky gullies; nature hikes or 4x4 tours in lush rainforest where exotic birds and flowers are at your fingertips; killer waves for surfing and beautiful bays for kayaking, with views of breathtaking beaches perfect for relaxing and watching sunsets. Tour volcanoes and be impressed by lava and rock formations or seemingly touch the stars from a mountaintop observatory.
We’re sure you’ll love Hawaii’s big island whether you seek thrills or aim to simply unwind. When you imagine a perfect holiday, Kona has the choices to make any dream come true.
Imagine warm trade wind breezes on your skin, glorious sun and magical scenery and you’ll soon be dreaming about Kona. Come and find your perfect place to unwind and take in your surroundings. The luxurious white sands of at Hapuna State Beach are popular with water sports fans and sunbathers; however beachside resorts have private beaches if you prefer a more peaceful spot to relax.
Kona also has the ideal landscape for adventurous visitors; it’s an outdoor enthusiast’s playground. You can choose from mountain biking, rainforest jeep or ATV tours, surfing, snorkeling, horseback riding, hiking, scuba diving, sailing, whale watching, helicopter tours - the list goes on!
Explore the many regional, state, and national parks. Above all, you won’t want to miss:
- Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, home to the active Kilauea Volcano, where curious visitors enjoy hiking, biking and walking trails, as well as picnic and camping facilities;
- Alaska Falls State Park, where you can hike to the Hawaii’s most famous waterfall – Alaska Falls, which measures 442 feet. Walk all little further on the trail to Kahuna falls, which is only 100 feet though equally pretty.
The Big Island has over 20 golf courses to choose from, each with their own unique challenges and terrain. You might be distracted by the sheer beauty whichever course you choose – the fairways surrounded by lava rock, the greens lined with swaying palms and the pleasing sound of waves crashing on the nearby beach, but you’ll settle into a rhythm as you go along.
The top five family activities on the Big Island, according to gohawaii.com are:
- Spencer Beach where you’ll find picnic facilities as well as a huge sandy beach and shallow waters protected by a reef, making it perfect for swimming and snorkeling;
- Parker Ranch and see real Hawaiian cowboys or “paniolo” as they are known in their native tongue, and go horseback riding or on a wagon ride;
- Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaii is a planetarium with lots of fun interactive exhibits;
- Mauna Kea is a dormant volcano, and the tallest mountain in the world, measuring 45,796 from the bottom of the ocean. The W.M. Keck Observatory is one of several observatories at the summit, though not a lot of people make it all the way up – you can stop at the Onizuka Center for International Astronomy visitors center for spectacular stargazing;
- Kilauea Visitor Center at Kilauea Volcano for a fascinating look at perhaps the world’s most active volcano (see Hawaii Volcanoes National Park).
The Kona Inn Shopping Village is a long boardwalk on the ocean side of Alii Drive featuring over 50 specialty shops, restaurants, and services. Be sure to stop in and pick up your island treats like traditional Polynesian lei’s, macadamia nuts, Kona coffee or Poha and Ohelo berry jams.
If you are looking for department store or retail outlet shopping, several large shopping malls, much like you would find on the mainlined are located in the vicinity of Kona. For a typical Hawaiian shopping experience, visit the famous Hilo Farmers Market. Open year round, the Hilo Market is a must-see on the Big Island.
Three of Hawaii’s finest spas are located on the Big Island, according to Spa Finder, each with distinctive features making them luxurious and delightful in their own rights:
- Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows
- Four Seasons Hualalai
- Kona Village Resort
From exclusive, high-end treatments or no-nonsense, therapy sessions to invigorating workouts, you’re sure to feel recharged and pampered by the qualified staff at any spa you visit in the Kona-Kohala Coast region.
When you are in Hawaii, the best way to become immersed in the local culture is to check out a luau – a Hawaiian feast in traditional Polynesian style, typically with pageantry and hula dancing. Resorts and hotels such as the Hale Ho’okipa Friday Night Luau, Island Breeze Luau and Hilton Waikoloa Village Luau are an incredible experience.
Of course you’ll have a selection of chain hotels and luxury resorts, as well as small, charming inns, bed & breakfasts and lodges.
Kona is a stunning location for weddings and honeymoons. Such gorgeous landscapes provide a back drop which will remain forever in your memories and in the photos taken on your special day. Accessories and decor like tropical flowers, turtles in ponds, birds singing in trees and distinctive cuisine create an elegant and beautiful setting for your wedding and romance on your honeymoon.
To get married in Hawaii:
- A license must be obtained;
- If you are 19 years of age or younger please bring your birth certificate;
- If this is not your first marriage, no proof of prior divorce is required;
- When you request a license information packet from Hawaii, you will receive a form which you should complete at home. Bring the form along with you, in case your luggage is delayed or misplaced.
Note: Many couples get the form and complete it after they arrive in Hawaii.
Upon receipt of the Marriage License Application and no sooner than thirty (30) days prior to the wedding date, please arrange for an appointment to obtain the actual Marriage License with a marriage license agent in Kona or Waikoloa Hawaii.
It should be mentioned that Hawaiians are extremely fond of tradition and enjoy celebrating their culture, so it stands to reason there are special annual events almost every week, throughout the year. There are way too many to mention all of them, however a few winter festivals are:
- Annual Cherry Blossom Festival - Waimea | February
- Hilo Chinese New Year Festival | February
- Kona Brewers Festival | March
- Big Island International Marathon | March
- Kona Chocolate Festival | March
- A Day at Hulihe’e | March
- Aloha Hawaiian Night – Kaila-Kona | March.
The islands’ first inhabitants were the Polynesians, who migrated from the Marquesas Islands, and were superb voyagers. They sailed in great double-hulled canoes and settled in Hawaii. There is still a strong Polynesian presence on all of Hawaii’s islands.
Several museums and historic buildings & sites, like the sacred Heiau, a stone temple place of worship for ancient Hawaiians, presided over by the Kahuna. Puukohola Heiau is the largest restored religious temple on the Big Island, is walking distance from Spencer Beach Park.
The Polynesians have a legacy of being accomplished fishermen; however have a large culture of farming. Holualoa is a small village of upland farms where the famous Kona coffee originates.
Cultural centers and art galleries provide a great venue for learning about the history and culture of the native Polynesians as well as modern history. English is the official language of the islands, however so is Hawaiian.
The currency is United States dollars.
To get the most benefit from your trip to the Big Island you may want to rent a car or jeep; for instance, you might like to try the highly recommended scenic drive along the lush Hamaukua Coast; and you’ll definitely need a 4x4 to drive to the observatories on Mauna Kea.
The drive from Kona to Volcanoes National park is fairly long, so to ensure you see the entire park and get the most out of your visit, without having to turn around almost as soon as you get there, an overnight stay might be required in the Park.
Alternately, you can travel by the various shuttles or tour buses, in addition to taxis and public transportation which are reliable and easily found.
Starting January 13, 2008, WestJet will fly direct from Vancouver to Kona twice a week, with connections from our other super cities, with seasonal service.
As with any flight entering in the United States, visitors require a valid passport to travel to Kona, HI.
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