Hawaii - Jeff Campbell [165]
To learn more about the restoration of Keauhou’S heiaus, visit the Keauhou Kahalu′u Heritage Center (10am-5pm), unstaffed and with no phone, in the Keauhou Shopping Center; it’S near KTA Super Store. Displays and videos also describe holua, the ancient Hawaiian sport of sledding.
KEAUHOU BAY
This bay, with a small boat harbor and launch ramp, is one of the most protected on the west coast. There’S no real reason to come unless you’ve booked, or want to book, a tour. However, there’S a small grassy area with picnic tables, showers and rest rooms, a sand volleyball court, and the headquarters of the local outrigger canoe club. To get to the bay, turn makai (seaward) off Ali′i Dr onto Kamehameha III Rd. Click here for information about excursions out of this harbor.
HAWAIIAN CLASSES, CRAFTS & TOURS
On Monday from 4:30pm to 8pm on the grounds of the Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort, Keala Ching, a wonderful Native Hawaiian kumu (teacher), holds a series of Hawaiian language, hula and chanting classes. Visitors are allowed to watch respectfully or, with the permission of the kumu, to join in.
At 8am every Tuesday and Thursday, Outrigger conducts a free one-hour cultural tour of its grounds, including the restored heiaus.
On Friday the Keauhou Shopping Center offers ukulele lessons, a lei-making class, and other craft classes, from 10am to around noon. At 6pm, it hosts a Polynesian dance show. All are free; BYO ukulele.
FARMERS MARKET
One of the Big Island’S best farmers markets is held at the Keauhou Shopping Center every Saturday morning (8am to noon). Though not large, it focuses almost solely on high-quality organic produce and products from local small farms. The warm community feeling is enhanced by live Hawaiian music and presentations by local chefs. Grab a coffee and come early!
Festivals & Events
The Kona Chocolate Festival (987-8722; www.konachocolatefestival.com; Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort; gala $50; late Mar/early Apr) is a weekend-long event that’S only getting bigger. It includes a three-day ‘chocolate symposium’ of workshops and culminates in a gala evening celebration, with live music and a chocolate cook-off among island chefs.
Sleeping
Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort (Map; 322-3441, reservations 800-688-7444; www.outrigger.com; 78-6740 Ali’i Dr; r $190-270; ) Not a true ‘resort,’ this attractive, full-amenity oceanfront hotel has a great (if small) pool, tennis courts and a tremendous coastal vantage point, experienced to full effect in the breezy, wall-less 1st-floor public areas. While room decor is hotel standard (and bathrooms a bit small), it is nevertheless neat and fresh, with soothing sea-green tones. Most rooms have great views, and some take in the restored heiaus, adding gravitas to your horizon. The manicured grounds include tide pools.
Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort (Map; 930-4900, 866-716-8109; www.sheratonkeauhou.com; 78-128 ′Ehukai St; r $350-460; ) The only bona fide resort in the Kailua-Kona area, the Sheraton boasts a sleekly modern (if starchily corporate) design, over 500 rooms, upscale spa, fine dining, and massive riverine pool (with spiral slide) threading through the canyonlike atrium, but no beach. The grand, theatrical atmosphere is topped off by the manta rays, which gather offshore nightly. Internet rates are surprisingly affordable.
CONDOMINIUMS
For a list of property management agencies, Click here.
Outrigger Kanaloa at Kona (Map; 322-9625, reservations 800-688-7444; www.outrigger.com; 78-261 Manukai St; 1br $295-365, 2br $325-499; ) These tropical townhouse-style condominiums