5 reasons to book this Hawaii Summer SPECIAL 2013

Welcome back to Best Hawaii Vacation blog,
Aren't we all looking for Specials, even more so when it relates to a unique Hawaii vacation?  Vacation in Hawaii like Donald Trump but at a rental rate everybody can afford. Wouldn't that be wonderful! This summer special offer can make your dream come true. Here are 5 reasons why we think booking this SPECIAL guarantees you your best Hawaii vacation:

1. The price is right at $375/nt. (dbl.) - $50/nt. extra guest

When you look at the photos of this luxury 3Bd/5.5Ba ocean view Kohala Ranch vacation villa at 24/7 gated Kohala Ranch on the sunny South Kohala coast and read about all the many wonderful amenities, which come with it, you have to admit that the regular price of $605/nt. seems to be just right. At $347/nt. Summer Special for two, you will get the magnificent discount of 38%. This is a limited time offer for June - September 2013.

2. Exclusive amenities Donald Trump would like

OK the 'Donald' would probably have his own private butler and cook at his Hawaii vacation villa but believe me apart from those guys, this private Hawaii home away from home excels in everything else with its outstanding features and amenities. Let's name a few:

- private solar heated swimming pool
- expansive unobstructed ocean views
- totally secluded and private with 24 hr gated security on the first 5 acres in Kohala Ranch
- 4200 sqf of living room
- home security system
- wheel chair accessible
- and so many more!

3. Privacy of this Kohala Coast villa is top amenity

Gated 5,000 acre Kohala Ranch where the vacation villa is located is one of the premier locations for Hawaii visitors on the Big Island who prefer to be away from the crowds of the 5-star hotels and love to indulge in top privacy. Privacy and seclusion are guaranteed with no next door houses or neighbors around!

4. Short 10 minute drive to best beaches

Not only the best beaches and championship golf courses are close-by  and in easy reach, there is also no limit to the adventurous visitors to explore, always provided they would like to leave their private piece of island paradise. Ocean activities may start at Kawaihae Harbor, visit famous Pololu or Waipio Valley or watch the stars on Mauna Kea Summit.

5. Enjoy Hawaii honeymoon, family reunion with mom & dad or friends in luxury

The Hawaii villa comfortably accommodates 8 people. No question that your sweetheart will be carried away when you take her for your Hawaii honeymoon to this exclusive place she had not dreamed of in her biggest dreams. Or a wonderful thank you vacation to mom and dad or friends for always having been there for you. A Hawaii vacation to remember for a lifetime!

What do you think? Email us or leave a comment. Mahalo, Pua Kohala Coast Web

Who dunit on the Kohala Coast?

Hawaii vacationers  did it. 

What did they do? 

They had the best vacation of their lives!

To find out how you can do it too.

Visit Kohala Coast Web!

We will help you solve the mystery. Aloha from Pua and Keoki

Looking for a special vacation spot in Hawaii?

Dear Best Hawaii Vacation travelers,

Looking for a SPECIAL vacation spot in Hawaii? Sorry, we don't mean a budget or discount Hawaii vacation which everybody loves. We refer to a UNIQUE place in Hawaii, different and beyond the ordinary vacation: a special place in Hawaii which guarantees special moments in Paradise. Moments which will stay with you for a lifetime. Where can you create such powerful memories, you want to know. Well, follow us to the Kohala Coast, the Big Island's tropical vacation gem in the Pacific...

5 Reasons why the Kohala Coast is the top Hawaii vacation destination

1. The Kohala Coast is blessed with sunshine...

all year-round. It's location on the West coast, north of Kona International Airport, guarantees the best Hawaii weather on the Big Island.

2. Stretches of beautiful white sand beaches...

beaches for everybody's taste lure any visitor to the Kohala Coast. Public Hapuna Beach is the favorite among boogie boarders, Mauna Kea Beach delivers magnificent views of Mauna Kea summit to its beach walkers, Beach 69 in Puako attracts snorkelers in search for the green sea turtles & Spencer Beach Park is loved by families searching for a calm ocean and enjoying a BBQ with the family. Just to name a few of those popular beaches on the Kohala Coast. There are more!

3. Kohala Coast is a Golfer's Paradise...

ocean front resort golf courses with unique championship designs make those passionate golfers come back to the Kohala Coast year after year. No worries Waikoloa Village Golf Course, also on the Kohala Coast, offers golf rates you can afford. When really looking for cheap golf, you'll find it a few miles upcountry.

4. Central location of the Kohala Coast...

makes the Kohala Coast an easy starting point for unique Hawaii Big Island adventures such as stargazing on top of Mauna Kea summit, visits to spectacular Waipio and Pololu Valley, a relaxing shopping trip to Kailua Kona and so much more. Even a trip to hot red lava oozing Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is possible as a day trip or take off with one Blue Hawaiian Helicopters right there at the Kohala Coast watching the volcano from above.

5. Ocean activities invite...

Kohala Coast visitors all along the coast. Read the ocean condition signs when snorkeling for tropical fish, turtles and rays on the beaches or at State Parks. There are also plenty of guided ocean tours available for whale watch, sunset cruises, deep sea fishing and scuba diving.


So what do you think: Is the Kohala Coast a special vacation spot in Hawaii or NOT?

Keoki's favorite saying is "Listen to me now, and believe me later" meaning "Come and see for yourselves". Relax in oceanfront village of Puako or indulge in the luxury of gated Kohala Ranch or did you find YOUR special vacation spot somewhere else on another Hawaiian Island? We and our blog visitors would love to know what you have to say.

A hui hou. Pua & Keoki KohalaCoastWeb

Tags: Kohala Coast, Hawaii's top vacation spot

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel open

Aloha Hawaii visitors and friends,

We'd like to thank all of you who emailed us their 'Mele Kalikimaka' greetings just as our dear friend Bill had done or even mailed us snail mail cards. It's wonderful to know to have so many friends in Hawaii and around the world. Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas in Hawaii or wherever you celebrated the Christmas holidays.

Today, we'd like to share some top news for Hawaii, Big Island and Kohala Coast lovers. Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, the oldest and most prestigious Hawaii hotel, located on the Big Island's best beach, is finally back in business. The 43-old hotel, which was constructed by Laurance S. Rockefeller in 1965, gained reputation and attraction among celebrities and high-end clientele as one of the world's best hotels due to its premier location on picture perfect, crescent shaped white sand beach on Kaunaoa Bay. Well, Mr. Rockefeller knew why he built the first Big Island hotel right there.

When we reported on December 6th, 2006 that the hotel administration made the decision to close Mauna Kea Beach hotel for repairs and renovations after the earthquake, it was anticipated but yet unexpected news for Mauna Kea Beach Hotel visitors and hotel employees alike. Over the last two years, everybody who loves world famous Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, followed the process of the remodeling. I myself was most surprised about the decision to totally redo the famous Mauna Kea golf course. When you read more about the reasons for remodeling the golf course, it makes totally sense.

Well, Mauna Kea's soft opening happened on Saturday 12/20/08. I was so happy to hear that 365 of the former employees got rehired, after working at other hotels and even different jobs. We can't wait to shake hands and welcome those friends back. Naturally, a celebration in Hawaii comes with music, hula, speeches and blessings. Blessings were done by Kahu Danny Akaka Jr. and the Rev. Dr. Henry K. Boshard. After an extensive $150 million renovation and redesign, Mauna Kea Beach hotel is beautiful has ever.

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel has a big 'ohana' of return guests, who have come as kids with their parents and do now the same with their children. Whether they will be still able to continue this wonderful Hawaii vacation tradition, depends on having the money it takes to spend a vacation at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. With all the fancy upgrades on room amenities, room rates are going up too.

When asking for a hot deal rate quote for Keoki's birthday in March, the cheapest was Mountain view at $375/nt. on floors 5 - 8 and cheapest Oceanview Room at Beachfront Plumeria Beach Club on floors 1-4 was $625/nt. There was a Mountain View Package Deal for Room and Car for $450, which seems to be 'affordable' for Mauna Kea standards.

Well, don't let those rates 'impress' you too much. Rent a nice fully equipped Kohala Coast vacation rental with a short drive to Mauna Kea. Show up around 9am for your free Mauna Kea Beach pass at the gate entrance (number of beach passes is limited according to parking space!) and enjoy famous Mauna Kea beach just as all these VIP guests. Mauna Kea beach is public as any beach in Hawaii is. And the ocean and the ocean critters are available to anybody who wants to swim or snorkel in aquamarine, warm waters of the Pacific Ocean. Share your Mauna Kea beach visit with our blog visitors. Mahalo, Pua Hawaii Vacations

p.s.

For more information about Mauna Kea Beach hotel's soft opening, read West Hawaii Today article. See location of Mauna Kea Beach hotel on our Kohala Coast Map and Kohala Coast on our Big Island map.

Related Articles Mauna Kea Beach Hotel

Best Beach Big Island

More about Mauna Kea Beach Hotel

Tags: Hawaii, Hawaii vacation, best Hawaii hotel, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Mauna Kea beach

Does the sun always shine on the Kohala Coast?

Does the sun always shine on the Kohala Coast?

What a question?! Of course, it does. That’s at least how we all want to portray it and what we want to believe in. Did you ever find a Hawaiian postcard, which does not show blue skies and the ever-shining sun over Hawaiian tropical images of beaches and palm trees? I did not. Yes, it is true that there are certain areas on the Big Island, which are more blessed with sunny weather than others like the west coast with the Kona and Kohala Coast areas but… Is there never any rain on the Kohala Coast? How can Mauna Kea summit be covered with snow if there wasn’t any?

What’s your weather experience when you vacationed on the loveliest coast of the Big Island? Do you have any predictions about good and bad weather months when staying on the Kohala Coast of Hawaii Big Island? Share your Hawaii vacation weather experience with our visitors. They’d love to hear from you with your Hawaii weather forecast and predictions.

Can’t wait to hear from you. It's easy as 1-2-3! Click comment in the bottom of this post, no sign in necessary, just click ‘other’ and leave your comment on Hawaii weather or anything else on our blog. Oh, let's not forget the new Hawaiian girl of this post. What do you think of Donna?

Mahalo and aloha, Pua Kohala Coast Vacation Rentals

Tags: Best of Hawaii, Big Island, Kohala Coast

Get a Taste of Hawaii!

Get a Taste of Hawaii now!

Hoping you read our last post about keeping Hawaiian culture and traditions alive, as this post will take it full circle. Our dear friend Sue from Missouri, who has fallen in love with the Kohala Coast of the Big Island many years ago when visiting the island for the first time and has come back 3 times ever since, likes to stay in touch with the island on an ongoing basis through our blog and website and all what is out there on the World Wide Web, told us about this great Hawaii feature of the Kohala Coast by the Savvy Traveler. Here is a short part from Hal Cannon’s and Teresa Jordan’s visit to the Kohala Coast:

“Teresa: We touch down in Kona on the Big Island. Swaying palm trees line the open-air airport and everywhere we look is deliciously green. It's hard to believe that just a few hours ago we had to dig our car out of a snowdrift to get to the airport.

Hal: A lovely Hawaiian woman places a strand of flowers around my neck and gives me a shy peck. The fusion of floral scents on this heavy air is intoxicating. We gather our luggage and proceed to the rental counter. Of course, I sucker for the manager's special and upgrade to a convertible, only 15 bucks more a day.

Teresa: We're off to the hotel.

Hal: We got a great deal booking the room in advance, $100. Again, I sucker for the manager's special for the room with a partial sea view, only $25 more. Sunken gardens, silk Hawaiian shirts, fountains, music in the air. We have arrived and if we hurry, we can make the luau.” ...

There is no better way to get a ‘Taste of Hawaii’ than following those two people on their way from their arrival at Kona International Airport, to attending a Hawaiian luau at their hotel and their further journey along the Kohala Coast to beautiful Pololu Valley. Most important, before you start reading ‘The Beginning of the Road’, click the link to ‘Listen with RealAudio’, which will immediately immerse you in the magic of Hawaii Big Island with Hawaiian music and chants and more.

Enjoy getting your 'Taste of Hawaii' now! Your comments on our blog, this post and our beautiful post girl Lovia are most appreciated.

Mahalo and aloha, Pua Kohala Coast Vacation Guide

Tags: kohala coast resorts, kohala coast vacation homes

7 days on the Kohala Coast of the Big Island

or Can we really see the entire island within a week's stay?

As you can see we are serious with following-up on your new year's resolution regards visiting Hawaii's Kohala Coast this fabulous year of 2007. This post is written by Keoki who has lived on the Kohala Coast for 30 years.

A Kohala Coast Vacation Itinerary

Day 1
This is not the day you landed on the Big Island, that was yesterday and time was probably spent getting your luggage and rental car and finding the way to your Kohala coast vacation rental or hotel room and getting settled in. Today is the day you should take time to breathe in some of what it means to be in Hawaii and how it feels to be in a Hawaiian state of mind. There are number of ways to achieve that state, the fastest and most pleasurable is having a massage to ease away those mainland tensions, next best way is to go lie on some of the best beaches in the state, those being the Mauna Kea beach and Hapuna Beach. Take the time to walk the beach and listen to the surf, you’ll soon find yourself in a Hawaiian state of mind. Hawaii is very special place and to experience the unique beauty is enhanced by taking this first day to relax and get in the mood.

Curious what Keoki recommends for the next 6 days of your Kohala Coast visit, read his entire 7-day Kohala Coast vacation itinerary and let us know what you think. A hui hou. (Till next time). Aloha, Pua
p.s.
How do you like our today's post girl Toshua from Wahinestyle.com? Please, write us a short comment.

Tags: kohala coast vacation, hawaii vacation

Christmas on Kohala Coast

Christmas Vacation on Kohala Coast of Hawaii Big Island.

Are you are planning a Last Minute trip to the Kohala Coast on the Big Island for the holidays?

Well, the motivated, committed and dedicated traveler always finds a way around obstacles, just like in 'Amazing Race'. So, be prepared that most of the Kohala Coast hotels and a lot of the vacation rentals are booked by now over the holidays and choices have become limited. Also know that flights and car rentals are another big issue when you plan your Last Minute vacation on your own. First check with the the Big Island car rental companies what is available and at what rate. You may have to dig deep into your pocket when making a late car rental reservation.

Over the holidays, car rental rates can be as triple the regular rate. Common sense tells you that this is an island with limited cars available, right?!. After your flight and car rental are reserved, check with us for accommodations. Cancellation Specials, Last Minute Specials, Hot Deals, Low Season Specials for Big Island Vacation Homes, vacation cottages, apartments, condos and suites will be posted in a few days on Vacancies for Kohala Coast Vacation Rentals.

If your travel dates are flexible, plan your Hawaii vacation for the beginning of December…restaurants and beaches will be still empty and vacation rentals are still showing vacancies. Kohala Coast Hotels show their nice Christmas decoration like the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel has its annual Christmas tree decoration contest with lots of beautifully decorated trees in the lobby in addition you their huge Christmas tree downstairs at turtle ponds, Hilton Waikoloa has a special attraction for families with children with their miniature railroad tracks and gingerbread house in addition to their regular free of charge boat and train rides around the expansive property and Mauna Kea Beach hotel shows off with a nice winter wonderland decoration on their fresh pine trees.

A few of the Big Island activities might be still restricted for some time due to necessary repairs after the October earthquake (like 'Fluming the Ditch' does not operate at the moment) but the Kohala Coast vacation rental hosts are ready for your business. The skies are blue and sun is shining on the Kohala Coast. Vacation rental owners are awaiting you! When you are visiting in December, don’t miss the special Christmas events at the Kings’ Shops. The Christmas decorations and hula performances, including keiki (children) hula, at the Kings’ Shops are are special treat and fun for the entire family!

Come visit the Kohala Coast on Hawaii Big Island. Stay tuned for more on beautiful Hawaii. Aloha, Pua

Tags: Christmas in Hawaii, Kohala Coast

Aloha From Waikoloa - We survived the Earthquake

After our first hand report about the earthquake on Sunday 10/15/06 from a Kona Resident, we got this detailed report from a Waikoloa resident, whose family experienced the earthquake on the Kohala Coast. Big Island residents who read this personal account, will find valuable recommendations for being prepared for an earthquake or another natural disaster.

'Aloha from Waikoloa - We survived the Earthquake' Written by Sharon 10/20/06

Sharon is a Big Island resident who lives in Waikoloa. She also teaches a free stretch class for seniors each Wednesday 10 - 11am at Tutu's House. As there are so many people on the mainland wondering what happened on the day of the earthquake and how Big Island residents coped with it, Sharon agreed to share her email to her family and friends with our visitors of the Kohala Coast Vacation Guide. Mahalo Sharon!

Hi there, Warren, Mom, Einstein and I are just fine!
First of all, thank you everyone for your concern and support. We are truly blessed with sooooo many great friends and family. I was so shocked that my buddy Carolyn called all the way from Bahrain a couple hours after the earthquake hit. It was on the news worldwide. Sorry I didn’t respond sooner. We are still cleaning up – almost done. People are still calling and emailing to find out if we are okay, so I figured I better send something to let you know we survived.

I was spared the horror of having to experience the earthquake. I had been on Kauai for a few days hanging out with my buddies Joey and Susan. I was leaving Sunday morning to return to Kona. I felt the earthquake (probably the largest one). I tried to call home but couldn’t get through on the land line and cell. So after about 45 minutes, I finally got through to Warren on his cell. When I heard his voice, I was so relieved. And that no tsunami was generated was even more of a relief. Warren said it was like a giant had picked up our house and just shook it from side to side violently. There was no warning. It just started with a growling sound and then the whole house just starting shaking. He was upstairs with Einstein. So he grabbed Einstein and watched as everything in the bathroom and bedroom started to flying out of the cabinets and drawers. One of the mirrors from our bed wall unit fell and good thing Warren had picked up Einstein or he would have been hurt. After the first one, Warren ran downstairs to check on Mom. She was a bit shaken, but okay. It was so violent that Warren couldn’t get downstairs and good thing he didn’t try or else he might have fallen down stairs and hurt himself. When the next one hit, Warren grabbed my Mom and Einstein and stayed under the door jam.
This is what Warren told me - The house was a mess – not an empty space to walk. The kitchen was a mess with cracked cups, dishes, spices, pantry items, etc. We have tile floors in the kitchen and bathrooms. In the living room, Mom’s TV fell down (it still works), one of the bookcases fell and shattered a lamp and vase, some of the crystal glassware and figurines in the wall unit shattered. Most of the damages were in the kitchen and living room. We have stress cracks in the drywall, but it is mostly superficial. Our sidewalk that faces the hillside moved about an inch from the house. Our neighbors sustained some damages like the garage door fell on their cars and rocks walls that just crumbled. Some of the larger rocks on our hillside came rolling down, but didn’t damage anything. If you drive around, you won’t see too much damage on the outside – it is all inside the house. I just found out today that the fencing contractor who installed our fence lost his house. He lives in Kamuela (wet side) and his and three other homes slid off their foundations. His house was declared a total loss and will have to rebuild. Compared to this, our damages are so minute.

I spent 8 hours between Lihue and Honolulu airports. Lihue airport had power. Honolulu did not. So having spent about 5 hours in Honolulu with very minimal AC was not fun. I was fortunate that I bought water and food in Lihue because when I got to Honolulu, all the shops and restaurants were closed. People were calling me on the cell, and after a while I wasn’t answering. Sorry about that. I was trying to conserve my battery so I could keep in contact with Warren and let him know my status for I didn’t know how long I would be waiting. I finally landed in Kona about 5:00pm and arrived at home about 6:30pm. I was waiting for my bag and box, but of course they didn’t make it because we have several different flights on one plane. And this was the last flight to Kona that day. Good thing Joey vacuum packed the Lawai zuke and cucumber tsukemono and put them in a cool pack. Man, it would have been so stink! Hawaiian Air delivered my stuffs Monday around noon. Thanks again Sue and Joey for checking in on me from time to time.

So while I am doing my part in cleaning, mom is in Las Vegas. She left Monday evening and is returning tomorrow evening. Their flight was delayed on Monday – instead of leaving at 1:00pm, they left at 6:30pm. The group that was suppose to leaving on Sunday, left on Monday at 1:00pm. She had to fly into Honolulu first which was at 10:30am. So she and her buddies spent the next 7 hours hanging around at Honolulu International. They didn’t mind. They were so excited. She’s having a great time!

This earthquake was a wake-up call for our state and all of us about how we handle this type of situation. Communication is so important and being prepared. Living on the Big Island, you have to be prepared. We get power outages more frequently than Oahu. So we always have flashlights, batteries, propane lanterns and stove, hibachi, charcoal, small AM/FM battery radio, phone that hooks up to phone line (not the cordless type where you need electricity) and all “the list of items to have in case of hurricane and tsunamis”. We have a car battery charger that can power some small appliances. We try to make sure it is always charged. Thinking of getting a generator. We bought these crank type flashlights from Brookstone. They are really great and very bright. You crank for 30 seconds, and the light lasts for couple hours. There’s a couple different ones that cost between $25 to $50. Well worth the money.

So this is how we spent earthquake day – Sunday, October 15, 2006.
Hope all is well you. I know everyone experienced different levels of the quake and it was scary. This is something you wouldn’t want anyone to have to experience. I cannot comprehend the feeling. I know the ones I felt before are no where near what happened on Sunday. They say we will continue to get aftershocks for another month, and it should start to lessen. People here are still edgy every time we feel one.
Well wishes to all of you and keep safe. Sharon, Warren, Mom and Einstein

We will keep our Kohala Coast vistors updated. Stay safe for now. Aloha, Pua http://vacationspot7.blogspot.com/
p.s.
For daily updates on earthquake, check West Hawaii Today online.

You will also find articles and stories on the Big Island Ironman Triathlon. Yes, it still takes place at this minute on the Kohala Coast on the Big Island. With more on that soon. Stay tuned!!!!

Related Articles

I feel the Earth Move under My Feet

Kohala Coast Earthquake Aftermath

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel closed after Kohala Coast Earthquake

Tags: Kohala Coast Earthquake survivor story

Kohala Coast Earthquake Aftermath

Kohala Coast Earthquake Aftermath

As promised in our last post on Big Island earthquake, we are back with a short update on situation on Kohala Coast after the Kona and the Kohala Coast got hit by a big earth quake of 6.7 magnitude (epicenter about 6 miles off Puako) on Sunday morning 10/15/06 at 7:07 am and a 10-minute later aftershock of 5.8, followed by more than 20 strong aftershocks during the day. It is a miracle that 'only' broken bones and minor injuries were reported. Some houses and even Kohala Coast hotels like the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, especially older ones, had serious damage.

Update on Kohala Coast Vacation Rerntal Business

We checked back with our Kohala Coast vacation rental hosts. They had to do a lot of cleanup of broken dishes and things fallen out of fridges and from shelves. Everybody, residents and Kohala Coast tourists (a lot are here for the Big Island Ironman), got quite rattled but most important, there were no injuries of rental owners and their guests. Luckily, electricity and water were back on the Big Island after a few hours. A few areas still don’t have potable water service in Waipunalei near Laupahoehoe, at Lakeland Subdivision and along White Road near Waimea, and the Hawaiian Home Lands Subdivision near Kawaihae but these areas are not involved in Kohala Coast vacation business.

Closed Roads on Kohala Coast, Hamakua Coast and Waimea Area

The big cleanup on the west coast of the Big Island is happening. A few of the Big Island activities might be still restricted for some time due to necessary road repair but the Kohala Coast vacation rental hosts are ready for your business. For current Kohala Coast visitors, here are the roads which are still closed.The Akoni Pule Highway (Route 270) remained blocked at mile marker 4 north of Kawaihae because of damage to a bridge and at the 26-milemarker near Pololu Valley. A couple of Hamakua roads, Kalopa Sand Gulch Road and Hoala Road in Paauilo Mauka, were closed too. In addition, only one lane at mile marker 9.5 of Kohala Mountain Road was open, while a detour had been created at Kukaiau southeast of Paauilo to avoid a partial cave-in at the mile marker 35 of Hawaii Belt Highway. Waipio Valley Road was open only to local traffic.

Read more about the Kohala Coast earth quake cleanup and aftermath in West Hawaii Today

We will stay in touch and keep you updated. Check back with us in our Kohala Coast Blog.
A hui hou and aloha, Pua

I Feel the Earth Move Under my Feet

Aloha and welcome back to the Kohala Coast Blog,
Today, we decided to include this first hand report from a Kona resident who experienced the Kohala Coast earthquake on Sunday morning at 7:07 am. We thought we'd share this account with our blog visitors without changing any wording. It is an email we received from Judith Kahealani Lynne from Kona. Please, read on. Stay safe. Aloha, Pua

Aloha kakou -

Well it's been a memorable morning to say the least.... I knew it was time to jump out of bed when I heard things starting to crash above me and I figured it wasn't a good idea to be a part of the rubble. Fortunately Scott (I live in the ohana space at Scott and David's) is an excellent architect and after living in Southern California he had the savvy to be very wise in the design and construction of this place. So all that was damaged was some glass items, some very valuable art (he has an amazing collection of museum quality Buddhist art) and our nerves.

I'm still shaking...... It felt like the Tutu Pele her very self, picked the place up and shook us by the shoulders... "straighten up right now!"We live at the 1400' level, above the airport and I swear to God it felt that the epicenter was right below us! The feeling of standing barefoot on the lava/earth during an earthquake like this is indescribable. I could feel it shaking in the depths....After surveying the damage we decided it was time to make phone calls. Only problem .... no electricity making it impossible to use my phone and the internet was down, too. My cell had half a battery left - just enough to call my kids, my dad and step-mom and sisters. The local radio stations were out, so it we couldn't get any information until a friend of David's called from New York to let us know that we had had an earthquake measuring 6.3 and the epicenter was right below us ... well duh!

Then my friend Julie who works on the national level for the government during emergency situations called my cell and said that she couldn't find anything on the government's websites, however FOX news was all over it! So she relayed that it was a 6.5 earthquake, Kona Community Hospital sustained damage and had to be evacuated, Royal Kona Inn also was evacuated due to damage, outgoing flights were not allowed at the airports, there were rock slides on Queen K Highway and other places. Now I'm listening to KAPA, which has become a veritable hotbed of community activity as everybody calls in with their stories and information about the roads, utilities, etc. Local at it's best.

Anyway, I think you can listen to them on the web if you want to get the flavor of what it's like out here.(NOTE: Make sure you've got at least one old style phone that actually plugs into the wall to use when the electricity goes down.Also since the bank machines don't work, nor do the credit card machines without electricity, make sure you've got a stash of cash for emergencies, because the stores are on a cash only basis right now. Julie says you can get a crank up radio at Radio Shack which seems like a really good idea for when the batteries run out.) Just heard that the bridge at Kawaihae is completely closed, water is lost in Lapahoehoe, the road between Waimea and Hilo is closed, so you have to take the Saddle Road and a lot of roads have debris and boulders on them. Just heard that the pali above Kealakekua Bay collapsed and took a fancy house with it.News flash! KAPA is playing the Jimmy Buffet song "I Don't Know Where I'm a gonna go when the volcano blows...."

Real Estate values are plummeting! Anyone want a good deal on the Royal Kona fixer upper.....And that's my report from de island.....Rockin' an rollin' in Kona,Kahealani (Judith Lynne)

Judith Kahealani Lynne"moving heaven and earth with the voice www.frequencykeepers.com

I lei kau, E lei ho'oilo I kealoha.
"Love is worn like a wreath through the summers and the winters, Love is everlasting." Mary Kawena Pukui

You will hear from us soon with more stories and updates on the Kohala Coast. Be safe. A hui hou. Aloha, Pua www.kohalacoastweb.com

Kohala Coast Beaches

Where are the beaches?

Aloha again everybody. Since you know from our previous post where to stay on the Kohala Coast, we want to answer the most asked question by Kohala Coast visitors is 'Where are the beaches?'. Depending on your preferences, you can choose from: Spencer Beach Park (perfect for families with small children) and Kauna’oa (Mauna Kea Beach w/public part - never crowded and separate from hotel part, so you don't need to mingle with the hotel crowd) and Hapuna Beach State Park. All three beaches feature shower and restroom facilities. Mauna Kea and Hapuna beach have both been ranked among the best beaches in the world by Conde Nast Magazine. Other great options are Wailea Bay in Puako or Anaeho’omalu Beach (called 'A Bay' by the locals) in Waikoloa Beach Resort. Just to name the most well-known and most gorgeous white sand beaches in our area on the Kohala Coast. Locate beaches on our Kohala Coast map.

Mauna Kea Beach

Kauna'oa Beach (Mauna Kea beach), 2 miles south from Kawaihae Harbor & Marina, also known as Mauna Kea beach has been voted one of the the top beaches world wide by Conde Nesta magazine. Located on the property of Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, beach access is by way of a beach pass obtained at the entrance. Get there early to assured of a pass, otherwise hop on over to Hapuna Beach Park next door.

Mauna Kea beach is a quarter mile crescent of white sand offering swimming, snorkeling, boogie-boarding and surfing depending on the conditions. Food and drink are available at the Hau Tree Cafe on the beach (not inexpensive). Better you bring your cooler if staying very long. Outdoor showers and bathrooms on the public beach at the south end are maintained by the hotel. Don't forget your sunscreen. Enjoy!

Hapuna Beach Park

Hapuna Beach Park, 3 miles south of Kawaihae Harbor & Marina, Hapuna Beach State Park is located 2 miles south of Kawaihae Harbor & Marina. Hapuna offers one of the best white sand beaches on the island, the other being Mauna Kea beach. Beach activities such as swimming, snorkeling, boogie-boarding and surfing are available year around, though dangerous rip tides can appear during periods of high surf.

Sunbathing and picnicking are available year around due to the abundance of sunshine and warm temperatures, almost 360 days a year. Restrooms and outdoor showers are available. Picnic areas with BBQ pits make for a relaxing day on the beach. If you forgot food, a snack bar offers various basic food fare and drinks.

Spencer Beach Park

Spencer Beach Park, next to Kawaihae Village Harbor and Marina. As this beach is very protected from big ocean waves even in winter, it's the favorite beach for families with small children. Spencer Beach is also preferred by local residents for BBQs and family reunions as it kept the old Hawaiian style atmopshere. Camping permits are available for this beach. The Heiau next to Spencer Beach Park also attracts Kohala Coast visitors who are interested in Hawaii's history and culture.

Puako Beaches

Puako Beach 69 or Wailea Bay Puako Beach 69 (named after electric pole 69!) or also known as Wailea Bay is a more secluded beach well know by residents or return visitors to Puako, a tiny oceanfront village, next to famous Hapuna Beach. The south end of the beach is perfect for snorkeling and encounters with the green sea turtles and occasional Manta Rays or Eagle Rays. In addition to Wailea Bay, Puako offers many more beach access along Puako Drive. As Puako is the dry side of the island and gets less than 11" of rain per year, oceanfront Puako has developed into one of the most desired area for Kohala Coast visitors.

Mauna Lani Beach

Mauna Lani Beach Club is one of Mauna Lani Resort's nicest white sand beaches. All Mauna Lani condo visitors, like the Islands, Mauna Lani Point and Mauna Lani Terrace, have access to this beach from the road through their access card. However, as each beach in Hawaii is public, other Kohala Coast visitors can access this lovely beach by parking at public parking of Mauna Lani Bay and walk left past Mauna Lani Fish Ponds. It's an easy 10-minute walk. The beach is a crescent white sand lagoon with calm waters and a huge array of tropical fish, turtles and rays. Ocean activities like Scuba and Snorkeling are offered. Restrooms, outdoor showers and an ocean front restaurant make this beach a hidden gem on the Kohala Coast.

A-Bay Beach

Anaeho'omalu Bay in Waikoloa Beach Resort, also known as A-Bay, is one of South Kohala’s treasures. In the summer months this long curving sandy beach is great for swimming and snorkeling. Nestled on beautiful Anaeho'omalu Bay is Hawaii Ocean Sports which offers snorkeling, kayaking, diving, whale watching, sailing on a catamaran or relaxing on the beach. It's fun for the entire family.

There are many more beaches along the Kohala Coast. Talk to locals and return visitors for smaller, hidden beaches. Believe me there is a beach for everybody's taste! A hui hou. Aloha, Pua Kohala Coast Vacation Guide

Related Articles

Golf on Kohala Coast
Kohala Coast Resorts and Hotels
Kohala Coast Vacation Rentals & Vacation Homes
Kohala Coast Activities

Tags: Hawaii, Big Island, Kohala Coast, Puako, Best Hawaii beaches

Kohala Coast Resorts and Hotels

Kohala Coast Resorts and Hotels

This post is sponsored by Kohala Coast Hotels & Resorts

Aloha Hawaii friends,
After we gave you in our first blog about the Kohala Coast lots of good reasons why to vacation on the Big Island's Kohala Coast, we would to give you some ideas about places to stay. The Kohala Coast features a select number of 5-star ocean front Kohala Coast resorts & hotels starting with the fairly recently built Hualalai Beach Resort and the traditional Hawaiian old-fashioned Kona Village resort.

Waikoloa Beach Resort Hotels

Going further north, visitors will find Waikoloa Beach Resort with Marriott Hotel (former Outrigger), Hilton Waikoloa and with beautiful ocean view Kohala Coast vacation condos like 'The Bay Club', 'The Vistas' and 'The Fairways', which are located on beautiful Waikoloa Beach Golf Course, which golf players love. It's a short drive from these golfcourse condos to A-Bay Beach. Golfcondo rates are in the medium price range. The budget traveler will not find private Kohala Coast vacation rentals in the Waikoloa Beach Resort area or other Kohala Coast resort areas like Mauna Lani Beach Resort or Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. This Kohala Coast map shows all Kohala Coast hotels, resorts and beaches, such as Spencer Beach, Mauna Kea Beach, Hapuna Beach, Beach 69 in Puako, A-Bay etc.

Mauna Lani Beach Resort Hotels & Vacation Condos

Just a short drive north, Kohala Coast visitors will find the entrance to Mauna Lani Beach Resort with 5-star ocean front 'Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows', 'Fairmont Orchid at Mauna Lani' plus luxurious ocean view condo complexes like 'The Terrace' and 'Mauna Lani Point' (Mauna Lani Classic Resorts) or peaceful fairway condos at 'The Islands'. Beach lovers will have to drive from the 'Islands' and the 'Mauna Lani Point' golfcourse condos to their favorite beaches. Again, these are luxury Kohala Coast vacation condos, whose rates are similar to the 5-star Mauna Lani hotel rates. Island visitors attending conferences or functions at Mauna Lani resort hotels or Mauna Kea & Hapuna Beach Hotel ask us again and again for places with affordable rates in or close to the resort areas. There are no low cost vacation rentals within the resort areas!

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel & Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel Resort

Last but not least, Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel and Mauna Kea Beach Hotel complete our list of well-known Kohala Coast resorts, hotels and beaches. Actually, this is where Big island visitors find the best white sand beaches...Hapuna Beach and Mauna Kea Beach. Experience the Hawaii of your dreams ... white sand beaches, first class championship golf courses and fantastic Pacific ocean life on the sunny Kohala Coast.

Stay tuned till next time with more information on Kohala Coast vacation homes and activities. Aloha from Pua Kohala Coast Vacation Guide

Related Articles
Golf on Kohala Coast
Kohala Coast Vacation Rentals & Vacation Homes
Kohala Coast Beaches
Kohala Coast Activities

Tags: kohala coast hotels, kohala coast resorts, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel

Vacation in Hawaii on Big Island's Kohala Coast

It’s not the ‘Call of the Wild’ but it’s the ‘Call of Hawaii’, which has finally caught up with you. For one reason or another, you decided to spend your first Hawaii vacation on the Big Island. Maybe you heard that this is the only Hawaii Island where you can spend a day on sunny sandy white beaches and go skiing or sledding on top of snow-covered Mauna Kea later in the day or where one can experience the fireworks of a live volcano…I could name quite a number more but this is not the topic for this article.

Planning your Hawaii vacation

Well, here you are planning your first Hawaii vacation on the Big Island and you just don’t know where to stay on this literally ‘big’ island despite of all the Big Island guidebooks you read and the many Big Island websites you cruised. The purpose of this article is introduce you to the unique beauty of the Kohala Coast and make you fall in love with this beautiful coast and its wonderful people during your Hawaii vacation, just as many visitors did before. Some even became residents as we did. Many more will follow in the years to come.

Image of Hawaii

What are your associations with the word ‘Hawaii’? With me it was white sandy beaches, swaying palm trees, beautiful weather all year round and the ‘obligatory’ hula dancer! The typical image or cliché of Hawaii! Believe it or not, the Kohala Coast on the Big Island has it all. Most first time visitors to the Hawaiian Islands are not aware that climate and weather can vary on each island tremendously depending on location (east or west) and elevation. Located on the dry west coast of the Big Island, north of the Kona Coast, the Kohala Coast provides the most stable weather throughout the year thus guarantying the first major component for your Hawaii vacation…sunshine! Well, now you could say why not stay in Kona, as you heard from friends whose cruise ship landed there that it’s beautiful and fun. Admittedly, it is but…it’s a tourist town, traffic in and out of town gets quite congested, beaches are smaller and more crowded and sometimes the ‘vog’ from the volcano can be bothersome, especially during hot summer months.

Where to stay on the Kohala Coast?

The price conscious vacationer can find affordable Kohala Coast Vacation Rentals, vacation condos and luxury Kohala Coast Vacation Homes at different Kohala Coast locations like Waikoloa Village, Kawaihae, Kohala Ranch, Kohala Estate or Waimea. The only non-resort but ocean front location is Puako with many different ocean access spots. Puako has recently become one of the most desired areas on the Kohala Coast. See our Kohala Coast map for Kohala Coast resorts and hotels. Kohala Coast vacation rentals combine many of the amenities of a Kohala Coast hotel with the comfort and character of a beautiful Kohala Coast home to make your Hawaii vacation experience memorable and affordable. Rates of Big Island accommodations vary depending on location and amenities.

What to do on the Kohala Coast?

There are no limits to your Kohala Coast activities Kohala Coast activities. Within short driving distances of your vacation home or hotel on the Kohala Coast, you can play golf at 9 championship courses, play tennis, go horseback riding, take a hike into spectacular valleys, explore the Pacific waters snorkeling & meeting tropical fish, rays, dolphins and turtles, go deep sea fishing or scuba diving or go boogie boarding…the Kohala Coast has something for everybody!

So, what do you think of the Kohala Coast? Please, come and see for yourself! Last but not least, don’t get taken by surprise when landing at Kona International Airport in the middle of barren moonscape lava fields. It does not seem to get any better when driving Highway 19 north to your Kohala Coast destination. We assure you palm trees, white sand beaches, blue green waves of the Pacific, hula dancers and Mai Tai are awaiting you. Welcome to the Kohala Coast of the Big Island! Feel free to send us an email with your questions or post a comment here. Written by Pua, one of Kohala Coast Vacation Guide editors

Tags: best hawaii vacation, hawaii attractions, kohala coast vacation homes, kohala coast resorts