Kona/Hawaii Info
Kailua-Kona
Closest Airport: Kona International Airport (KOA)
Public Transportation: Almost non-existent, especially outside of the Kona city limits.
Grocery Stores: Safeway, Walmart, Sack’n’Save, Costco (not close to house)
Restaurants we liked: Umekes Fish Market Bar and Grill, Fish Hopper Kona, Kona Inn Restaurant
Things to do:
Coffee Tours and Tastings
Chocolate Tours and Tastings
Volcano National Park (approximately 82 miles / 2 hours from the house)
Lots of restaurants and shops on the “main drag” on Ali’i Drive
Shops and ice cream at Kona Inn. Also, a nice grassy area to sit right by the water and watch the sun set
Farmers Market (Wednesday through Sunday, 7a-4p)
Small, but important, thing we want to bring attention to. These flowers (pictured below) can be found at the house. They are very poisonous and shouldn’t be touched or interacted with in any way!
A Bit About Hawaiian Culture
Let’s not be haoles!
Pele
Pelehonuamea “She who shapes the sacred land”
Pele is the Goddess of creation and destruction, and is one of the most powerful deities in Hawaiian mythology. She resides inside the volcano and is known for her temper and vengefulness, and causes the lava flows, thus, shaping the land.
Respect Pele
You will see reminders, often on beaches, to “Respect Pele.” This is a reminder never to take black sand or a piece of lava. If you do, Pele may curse you until you return what is hers. This is the first, and most important, rule that every Hawaiian child learns.
Regardless of their deities fading into mythology, reverence of Pele’s history and power still transcends the Native Hawaiian Community. It is very disrespectful to take lava and/or black sand from a beach.
If you like Mythology, here’s some more about Pele:
https://historycooperative.org/pele-goddess-of-fire-and-volcanoes/
Leis
Leis are an integral part of Hawaiian history and the culture today; they represent many things sacred to Native Hawaiian people. As such, certain etiquette is observed surrounding leis.
I won’t bore you with a history lesson, but there are a couple highlights you should know as a visitor. The most important etiquette is found in the ways that leis are given, received, and removed.
Leis should never be found in the trash. They should be thrown into the ocean, burned, or hung in a tree. The idea is that they are given back to where they came from. This is a sign of respect.
For a bit more detail, but still short and sweet:
