Located north of Kailua-Kona on the Big Island, the Kohala Coast is often called the Gold Coast for its numerous upscale resorts set amidst the dramatic black and red lava landscape created by an eruption of Hualalai volcano centuries ago.
The unofficial bookends of the Kohala Coast are the Big Island’s first two hotels including the Kona Village Resort in Kaupulehu on the southern end of the Kohala Coast and the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel near Kawaihae on the northern end.
Along this stretch of Kohala coastline are pristine beaches as well as the Big Island’s finest resorts which offer every amenity including immaculate golf courses, spas and fine dining.
Spectacular Hapuna Beach is located on the Kohala Coast next to the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel and the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. Often ranked on top ten lists as one of the finest beaches anywhere and one of the island’s biggest white-sand beaches, Hapuna Beach is great for swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling and bodyboarding.
Another great beach along the Kohala Coast is Spencer Beach Park just south of Kawaihae. This white sand beach is great for sunbathing and swimming with a protecting offshore reef that makes the beach ideal for a variety of watersports activities.
Cultural sites in the area include the Puako Petroglyph Archaeological Preserve with more petroglyph sites in the Waikoloa area. This area is also home to many ancient Hawaiian fishponds.
Just to the north of Waikoloa and south of Kawaihae is Spencer Beach Park which is well protected by an offshore reef as well as a harbor breakwater. Nearby is the Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site where you can see the huge stone structure built by King Kamehameha I in his quest to conquer all of the Hawaiian Islands.
Perfect weather, elegant accommodations and pristine beaches make the Kohala Coast the perfect vacation destination. The Kohala Coast is accessed via the Queen Kaahumanu Hwy. (Rte. 19) north of Kailua-Kona and Historic Kailua Village.