The Archipelago of five islands that make up Hawaii was granted entry into the union as the 50th American state in the summer of 1959. A scant 18 degrees north of the equator, its tempting tropical climate makes it an extremely popular destination for tourists. Visitors who want to get away from the hustle, bustle and expense of tourist Hawaii find tranquil comfort, together with independence, in the district of Kona, on the western, or lee side, of Hawaii, the Big Island.
Although you can comfortably drive the entire circumference of the island in about a day, there is still enough air traffic to sustain two airports. The one on the eastern side of the island is Hilo; on the western side, in Keahole, is the other. Here, passengers can arrive from/depart to the western seaboard of the continental United States, as well as destinations in Canada and Alaska.
The architecture of the airport befits that of a southern pacific resort, a series of open-air chalet-style buildings graced with palm trees. It could just as easily be a restaurant or night club. Despite its island charm, Keahole has all the standard passenger services that you would expect to find at any other passenger air terminal.
The local area definitely feels more like a suburban neighborhood than it does a tourist resort. The bright lights, crowds, and noise are out there somewhere if you want to go looking for them but they are not in your face. There is all the accommodation you could ask for and all the amenities your heart could desire. At one restaurant in particular, diners can sip cocktails or mocktails on the coast of Kailua Bay and observe body-boarders being tossed in the surf or humpback whales swimming with other humpback whales.
The dormant volcano, Mauna Kea, is also within comfortable driving distance. One million years old, and rising 14,000 feet above sea level, it is taller than Everest and the tallest peak in the state. The Mauna Kea Observatory is the biggest such facility on the planet.
If you are feeling adventurous and can find someone offering this activity, there is nothing in the world like parasailing. This involves getting hitched into a parachute and being towed by a speed boat as you ascend higher and higher into the atmosphere. The average distance above sea level is 800 feet, although the brave can signal being taken to 1,200 feet. The best feeling of the experience is being allowed to free fall. The ride is over all too soon.
Not everybody has the guts for a tummy-tickling experience a quarter of a mile above the surface of the sea. If your are looking for a more gentle seaborne experience, there is no shortage of boat trips on the island. Try raft cruising, discover dolphins, or cruise on a whitewater raft.
What makes staying in Kona great is its atmosphere of suburban independence. You have access to whatever you need in terms of food, shopping, and sight seeing but without the crowds and high prices. If you are lucky enough to find accommodation with your own balcony or patio, you can pretend that you really live there and have your own apartment. It makes you feel like you belong there.
Although you can comfortably drive the entire circumference of the island in about a day, there is still enough air traffic to sustain two airports. The one on the eastern side of the island is Hilo; on the western side, in Keahole, is the other. Here, passengers can arrive from/depart to the western seaboard of the continental United States, as well as destinations in Canada and Alaska.
The architecture of the airport befits that of a southern pacific resort, a series of open-air chalet-style buildings graced with palm trees. It could just as easily be a restaurant or night club. Despite its island charm, Keahole has all the standard passenger services that you would expect to find at any other passenger air terminal.
The local area definitely feels more like a suburban neighborhood than it does a tourist resort. The bright lights, crowds, and noise are out there somewhere if you want to go looking for them but they are not in your face. There is all the accommodation you could ask for and all the amenities your heart could desire. At one restaurant in particular, diners can sip cocktails or mocktails on the coast of Kailua Bay and observe body-boarders being tossed in the surf or humpback whales swimming with other humpback whales.
The dormant volcano, Mauna Kea, is also within comfortable driving distance. One million years old, and rising 14,000 feet above sea level, it is taller than Everest and the tallest peak in the state. The Mauna Kea Observatory is the biggest such facility on the planet.
If you are feeling adventurous and can find someone offering this activity, there is nothing in the world like parasailing. This involves getting hitched into a parachute and being towed by a speed boat as you ascend higher and higher into the atmosphere. The average distance above sea level is 800 feet, although the brave can signal being taken to 1,200 feet. The best feeling of the experience is being allowed to free fall. The ride is over all too soon.
Not everybody has the guts for a tummy-tickling experience a quarter of a mile above the surface of the sea. If your are looking for a more gentle seaborne experience, there is no shortage of boat trips on the island. Try raft cruising, discover dolphins, or cruise on a whitewater raft.
What makes staying in Kona great is its atmosphere of suburban independence. You have access to whatever you need in terms of food, shopping, and sight seeing but without the crowds and high prices. If you are lucky enough to find accommodation with your own balcony or patio, you can pretend that you really live there and have your own apartment. It makes you feel like you belong there.
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