The Hawaiian Archipelago in the Central Pacific was granted statehood in August 1959. Because of its location near the equator, it is a popular tourist destination. Those wishing to experience the islands while avoiding the crowds and other trappings of tourism would do well to visit the district of Kona, located on the west side of the big island of Hawaii.
The island is served by two international airports, Hilo and Keahole. A number of major airlines fly into and out of Keahole. Passengers arrive from destinations such as Los Angeles, San Jose, San Diego, Oakland, and San Francisco in California. The district is also accessible by air from Portland OR, Seattle/Tacoma WA, Denver CO, and Phoenix AZ. Keahole Airport also receives seasonal traffic from Anchorage, AL and the Canadian city of Vancouver BC.
Externally, the airport gives the impression that it could just as easily be a shopping mall, chalet hotel, or night club. Don't let the quaint charm fool you, the customs officers are fiercely determined not to allow any foreign produce disrupt the ecology of the small island. It has all the other passenger services you would expect at any other air terminal.
The district has a suburban residential feel about it instead of a bustling tourist spot with bright lights, noise and crowds. While there is sufficient availability of accommodation, it is easy to blend in with the local residents. There is a special shrimp restaurant situated right on the coastline overlooking Kailua Bay, where diners can watch swimming humpback whales and body-boarding humans hurling themselves into the waves.
The dormant volcano, Mauna Kea, is also within comfortable driving distance. One million years old, and rising 14,000 feet above sea level, it is taller than Everest and the tallest peak in the state. The Mauna Kea Observatory is the biggest such facility on the planet.
If you feel like an adventure and can summon the nerve, try parasailing. Basically, this involves you strapped into a parachute, a speed boat and a length of very, very strong rope. Many people allow themselves to dangle 800 above the crystal blue sea, while others signal a desire to go as high as 1,200 feet. If you don't mind your tummy tickling you to distraction, the views are tremendous and when the boat stops and you are allowed to free fall, it really is amazing.
Those who want the marine experience but aren't courageous enough or physically fit for parasailing can enjoy a boat tour. Discover dolphins, go diving, or go for a raft cruise. There is no shortage of seaborne adventures to be had on the island.
The great thing about staying in Kona is that you have all the necessary facilities for sustaining life and leisure without the extortionate prices you find in a typical tourist trap. A lot of the available accommodation comes with patios or balconies, so you can convince yourself that you are a local resident living in an apartment. You get a sense of belonging to the neighborhood while retaining an element of independence.
The island is served by two international airports, Hilo and Keahole. A number of major airlines fly into and out of Keahole. Passengers arrive from destinations such as Los Angeles, San Jose, San Diego, Oakland, and San Francisco in California. The district is also accessible by air from Portland OR, Seattle/Tacoma WA, Denver CO, and Phoenix AZ. Keahole Airport also receives seasonal traffic from Anchorage, AL and the Canadian city of Vancouver BC.
Externally, the airport gives the impression that it could just as easily be a shopping mall, chalet hotel, or night club. Don't let the quaint charm fool you, the customs officers are fiercely determined not to allow any foreign produce disrupt the ecology of the small island. It has all the other passenger services you would expect at any other air terminal.
The district has a suburban residential feel about it instead of a bustling tourist spot with bright lights, noise and crowds. While there is sufficient availability of accommodation, it is easy to blend in with the local residents. There is a special shrimp restaurant situated right on the coastline overlooking Kailua Bay, where diners can watch swimming humpback whales and body-boarding humans hurling themselves into the waves.
The dormant volcano, Mauna Kea, is also within comfortable driving distance. One million years old, and rising 14,000 feet above sea level, it is taller than Everest and the tallest peak in the state. The Mauna Kea Observatory is the biggest such facility on the planet.
If you feel like an adventure and can summon the nerve, try parasailing. Basically, this involves you strapped into a parachute, a speed boat and a length of very, very strong rope. Many people allow themselves to dangle 800 above the crystal blue sea, while others signal a desire to go as high as 1,200 feet. If you don't mind your tummy tickling you to distraction, the views are tremendous and when the boat stops and you are allowed to free fall, it really is amazing.
Those who want the marine experience but aren't courageous enough or physically fit for parasailing can enjoy a boat tour. Discover dolphins, go diving, or go for a raft cruise. There is no shortage of seaborne adventures to be had on the island.
The great thing about staying in Kona is that you have all the necessary facilities for sustaining life and leisure without the extortionate prices you find in a typical tourist trap. A lot of the available accommodation comes with patios or balconies, so you can convince yourself that you are a local resident living in an apartment. You get a sense of belonging to the neighborhood while retaining an element of independence.
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