Overview for Kailua Kona, HI

42,019 people live in Kailua Kona, where the median age is 46 and the average individual income is $44,578. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Welcome to Kailua Kona

 
Sophistication and sunshine define this Big Island gem.
 
Situated on the Big Island’s west side, Kailua Kona embodies Hawaii’s unparalleled beauty and vibrancy. Sublime weather, expansive lava fields, and several of the island’s only white-sand beaches render it one of the most glorious places to live and visit in the North Pacific archipelago. Sprawling estates and contemporary condominiums offer magnificent views of the spellbinding ocean, while tennis, golf, and watersports are at your fingertips. And while Kailua Kona may be one of the poshest parts of the Big Island, it maintains its cultural richness. From the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai to Ahuena Heiau, you can experience and relish both the glamorous and historical sides of Hawaii.
 

What to Love 

  • A panoply of outdoor activities ranging from surfing to snorkeling
  • Year-round idyllic weather
  • Modern conveniences and cultural sites, in equal measure
  • A fun-loving, happy-go-lucky ethos
  • A variety of Kailua Kona homes for sale to choose from

Local Lifestyle - Living in Kailua Kona

 
Kailua Kona may be one of the most popular places on the Big Island to visit (read: it’s a hub for tourists), but that doesn’t take away from its tight-knit feel. Like many cities throughout Hawaii, community reigns, and nearly every resident practices pono, kokua, and malama ‘aina, which translates to do the right thing, help out, and take care of the land. These principles are felt and seen on a daily basis. Fruit and fresh fish stands line the residential roads, and you’re just as likely to see your neighbor at one of Kailua Kona’s elegant restaurants than you are at your door with a loaf of fresh-baked banana bread in hand.
 

Dining, Entertainment & Shopping

 
Kailua Kona is known in Hawaii as having some of the finest dining options in the Aloha State. ‘ULU Ocean Grill in the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai is as popular with visiting luminaries as it is with kama'aina (local residents). Seafood with an inspired spin takes center stage at this beloved venue. Whether you choose Kona abalone Rockefeller with Kuleana Hualalai rum, fennell, and pork or misoyaki kanpachi with nori and Hakurei turnip, you’re bound to be thrilled by ‘ULU’s nuanced flavors. 
 
It’s hardly the only spot in town to score ono eats. Poke is one of Hawaii’s signature dishes, and Da Poke Shack pays homage to this by consistently serving some of the freshest and most delicious on the island. Meanwhile, Sushi Shiono is an event in itself. Between its prime location in Kailua Village and its commitment to plating out expertly-crafted sushi, dinners here are nothing short of extraordinary. 
 
One of the greatest pleasures Kailua Kona offers its residents is the freshness and superiority of its world-famous Kona coffee. Savor a cup at the perfectly-titled Kona Haven Coffee and taste the difference of java that’s harvested in the Big Island’s ideal growing conditions. As for a night on the town? Kailua Kona may have a tranquil feel, but its residents nonetheless love to “catch sunset” and sip on locally-crafted artisan beers at Kona Brewing Co.’s Kona Pub. Check out their Hanalei IPA to wow your palate, or mellow out with their incredibly popular Longboard Lager.
 
Shopping is equally delightful in this Big Island hamlet. Book lovers will be thrilled at Kona Bay Books, which brims with new titles by local and internationally acclaimed authors. Joyful art is found in spades at Ali’i Gardens Marketplace, while everything from fresh torch tinger to exotic vegetables are sold by local purveyors at the town’s farmers’ market.
 

Things to Do in Kailua Kona

 
Kailua Kona is synonymous with the Ironman World Championship, but you don’t need to be a hardcore athlete to enjoy the region’s possibilities for outdoor adventures. Kahulu’u Bay is a prime spot for surfing and stand-up paddling, while Magic Sands presents postcard-perfect beauty (and, yes, sand that vanishes and appears on a regular basis). Indeed, whether you choose to snorkel with manta rays at night or tee off at Kona Country Club during the day, Kailua Kona excites you 24/7.
 
Hawaii’s globally renowned coffee helped put the isolated chain of islands on the map over 150 years ago. Today, coffee and the people who make it possible are celebrated at the annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival. The fete pays homage to its past with live music, cultural activities and performances, and, of course, cup after cup of delectable coffee. Every year, Kailua Kona residents and locals from around the island also flock to the Kailua Kona Christmas Parade–a lively community event that’s punctuated with island-styled renditions of our favorite holiday carols. 
 

Schools in Kailua Kona

 
Kailua Kona is served by the Kailua Kona school district and features several outstanding institutions: