Find the Best Things to Do in Kohala Coast
By Jade Eckardt
About Kohala Coast
Simply put, the Kohalao Coast is gorgeous. It begins on the hot and dry, lava rock laden southern end of the coast where a luxurious hotel and high end shopping make a home. It ends at the most northern tip past a sacred valley where a king was born and a beautiful black sand beach blankets the island's edge.
Cruise the Kohala Coast to visit Pololu Vally and bask in solitude. Dress up a bit for dinner at Roy's Waikoloa Bar and Grill and enjoy Pacific Rim cuisine. Taste tropical cocktails at the Gazebo Bar on the water and watch the west side sunset.
Make sure to cruise the Kohala Coast to experience some of the Big Island most important sites.
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See & Do
Pololu Valley is at the end of scenic Highway 270 and offers you to experience the majesty of the Big Island's dramatic Kohala coastline. High above waves that crash onto jagged rocks are several lookout areas that offer sweeping vistas of verdant cliffs and sliver-like waterfalls cascading over them. Folks wanting a touch of adventure can make the strenuous hike down to the black-sand beach at the base of the cliffs. Have care, though: the waters are not good for swimming, and no lifeguards are on duty.
Eat
Restauranteur Roy Yamaguchi has garnered quite a reputation for himself, both in the Paradise State and on the mainland, and it's little wonder. Roy's Waikoloa Bar and Grill specializes in Pacific Rim cuisine, the Kohala Coast edition of his culinary empire dazzles diners with Szechuan-style baby back ribs, a kiawe-grilled rib-eye, and curry seared ahi tuna. Despite the shopping center locale, the restaurant offers an upscale scene that tends to get noisy during peak hours. The best tables offer clears views of either an adjacent golf course or a nearby lake.
Party
At the oceanfront Gazebo Bar, let go of your worries with the "Fredrico," the signature cocktail of this casual bar, which makes its home at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. The view and setting here is absolutely amazing, with an expansive beach to gaze at as well as a gorgeous sunset if you make it in time. Hang out after dinner for a tiki torch lit atmosphere on the peaceful Kona coast.
Stay
The Hilton Waikoloa Village is a haven in the middle of a black lava rock coast and is a drastic difference than other hotels in the area. A unique resort in Waikoloa on 62 oceanfront acres of the exclusive Kohala Coast on Hawaii Island, it's just a 20 minute drive north from Kona Airport. The resort features tropical gardens with waterways, exotic wildlife and a museum walkway with Asian and Polynesian artwork. Trams and canal boats take you around the resort or you can stroll through the garden paths. Enjoy recreational amenities including two championship golf courses, eight tennis courts, three swimming pools, dolphin encounters, and watersports in the lagoon.
Shop
For high end shopping stop by the King's Shops at the Waikoloa Beach Resort. This is where you can find upscale resort wear to accent your vacation, home decor and souvenirs to bring home, and lovely art and gifts. You can even find very nice jewelry for that Hawaiian proposal. Shops include Cinnamon Girl, Crazy Shirts, Eight Rocks Hawaii, Honolua Surf Co. Honolua Wahine, Jourabchi, Macy's, Making Waves Noa Noa, and Tommy Bahama. Jewelry stores include Dolphin Galleries, Kohala Goldsmiths, Maui Divers ,Na Hoku, Orchid Jewelers and Royal Gold. Other exquisite shops include: Da Big Bags, Genesis Gallery, Hawaii Gift Basket Kohala Coast Fine Art, Lava Ice Laser Art, Louis Vuitton Waikoloa, L'Occitane, Martin & MacArthur, Mary Jane's, Premier USA, Robert Thomas Art, Solstice Sunglass Boutique, Sunglass Hut, The Walking Company, Tiffany & Co., Under the Koa Tree, Walking in Paradise and Whaler's General Store.