Kailua-Kona Information
Kailua-Kona is the center of commerce and of the tourist industry on West Hawaii. It is the site of the world-famous Ironman Triathlon World Championship held each year in October and broadcast around the world. Kailua Pier is the starting and finishing point for the Ironman Triathlon and is a great place to watch the sunset.
The town's post office is designated Kailua-Kona to differentiate it from the larger, Kailua located on windward Oahu, although it is referred to as "Kona" in everyday speech. Many place names in the Hawaiian Islands are repeated on several islands, but the two Kailuas are the only confusing conflict in this regard.
The coldest month in Kona is February and the average high in February is 80 F while the average low is 64 F. August is the warmest month and the average high is 87 F while the average low is 69 F. Humidity is between 50% and 80%. The temperature change between night and day is greater than the temperature change between winter and summer. Mornings are typically clear while thermal clouds created in the day raises the temperature during the day.
“Vog” (volcanic fog) can cover parts of the Kona coast from time to time depending on the activity of the Kilauea and the island winds. Kailua-Kona is located in the leeward side of the Hualalai Volcano sheltering the town from wind and rain.
Kona International, or "Kailua-Kona" as it is more often called by locals and interisland passengers, is the only remaining major airport in the Hawaiian Islands where a mobile ramp is used to plane and deplane passengers. Kona International sees daily 757, 767, 777, and 747 aircraft. The airport terminal is a rambling, open-air set of structures. Long after other airports in Hawai‘i converted their terminals to multi-story buildings with automated jetway systems, Hawaiian Airlines could still utilize their DC-9 fleet's tailcone exits at Kailua-Kona.
The sunny Kona coastline stretches from Kailua-Kona to beyond Kealakekua Bay and can take more than 45 minutes to drive through. Within this expansive area you’ll find everything from Kona Coffee farms to historic Hawaiian landmarks.
In fact, the Kona coast was once the home of Hawaiian royalty. King Kamehameha himself spent his later years in Kailua-Kona. Significant historic places like Puuhonua o Honaunau, Hulihee Palace, and Kaloko-Honokohau National Historic Park let you explore Hawaii’s past first-hand.
South Kona’s calm and clear waters are also perfect for snorkeling, diving, and spotting dolphins and honu (green sea turtles). For the more adventurous, take a boat tour and swim with manta rays or go deep-sea fishing for giant Pacific Blue Marlin. On land, the cooler uplands are home to hundreds of coffee plantations where you can sample Kona’s unique, aromatic bean. On the versatile Kona coast, the adventures are as big as the island itself.