Schmap Hawaii Neighborhood Guide

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Hawaii - Neighborhood Guide
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Hawaii Home
Schmap Hawaii guide and map

The island of Hawaii is the furthest south of any in the island chain, and it's larger than all the other islands put together. It's also the home of the world's highest mountain (Mauna Kea) though much of the base is submerged. Nearby Kilauea is the most active volcano in the world and is also the most popular visitor attraction in a state that's full of visitor attractions. The Big Island, as it's called, is the only place where one can ski in the daytime and walk barefoot in a warm sea at sundown.

Kona

This spread-out district stretches from South Kona, the location of Honaunau Bay, to the vast Kona State Park. The inland area resembles a run-of-the-mill mainland suburban community. The Kona Airport is located a few miles north of Kailua-Kona on Highway 19. The most heavily populated area is Kailua-Kona. It's the site of the Kailua Pier, the main tourist shopping drag. Just below Kailua-Kona is Keahou-Kona. Most of the area hotels are ranged down the coast, from Kailua to Keahou.

Central Kailua-Kona has a half-dozen attractions, including Ahu'ena Heiau and Hulihe'e Palace. Along the coastline are Laaloa Beach Park, known for its "magic sands," and the Kona Historical Society Museum. The southern town of Captain Cook is considered a part of greater Kona. Many people make the trip down the coast to snorkel at the marine preserve or view the sea captain's monument.

Kohala Coast/Kohala

The name translates to "Gold Coast." At first, it's hard to understand why this place deserves its name; the terrain is harsh, barren and almost spooky.

That is, until one reaches the resort districts.

The first one is Ka'upulehu, home of the Four Seasons and the legendary Kona Village Resort. You must have a room reservationor at the very least, a lunch reservationto get inside the gates. Further up the road is Waikoloa. This resort isn't as picky; it will let anyone inside. Plenty of visitors to other districts opt to spend a full day exploring Waikoloa.

Further along you'll find Mauna Lani and Mauna Kea. Each resort district has a few four-star hotels, a few luxury condomium complexes and a dozen gourmet restaurants. Stop by the secluded beach park on the Mauna Lani property where the fabulous Puako Petroglyphs are located. Hapuna Beach Park sits in splendid isolation on the North Kohala Coast.

If there is one thing that brings people from around the world to the Kohala Coast, it is the golf. Most area courses rank among the top 100 in the United States. Hapuna Golf Course, Francis Brown I & II and the Waikoloa Village Golf Courses are all world-renowned.

After Mauna Kea, things change. Beach parks dot the coastline, and little settlements crop up alongside the highway. The pace of life slows down to correspond with the speed limit. North Kohala is ranch land and coffee country. Buy coffee at Kohala Coffee Mill in downtown Hawi. Take a horseback excursion with Paniolo Adventures. Dine at Café; Pesto or Bamboo.

Upcountry

Inland from Waikoloa is the town of Waimea. It's small and out-of-the-way, but it has an abundance of personality. Businesses here are usually family-owned, and many of them feature island-made products.

The land surrounding Waimea is either part of the Parker Ranch (the largest ranch in the state), or part of the Waipio Valley, which can only be toured on horseback or by covered wagon. Parker Ranch runs many attractions, though it is in the middle of construction and renovations currently. Hamakua Coast, the northeastern coastline of Hawaii, is often classified among the most scenic drives in the world.

Hilo

Below the Hamakua Coast, in a fertile little pocket that gets more rain than just about any other place in the world, is Hilo. This is a booming town by Hawaiian standards. Of course, it knows how it appears to mainland visitors: cute, quaint and stuck in a time warp. It plays up that image, offering historic tours and a daily fish market.

Downtown Hilo is located on the waterfront. Sightseers can start at either Banyan Drive or the new Tsunami Museum. There's also the East Hawaii Cultural Center and Lyman Museum. For information on these attractions and on the outlying areas, visit the Hawaii Visitor's Bureau.

Volcano

South of Hilo on Highway 11 is the most famous spot in the islands. Officially titled Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, it is informally known as The Volcano or Kilauea. Kilauea is, in fact, only a part of the massive park, but it's the part that everyone comes to see. Belching smoke and spewing flame, this is the most active volcano in the world. The Kilauea Visitor Center, Volcano Art Center and Jaggar Museum are open daily.

South and Central Regions

Between Volcano on the east side and Kona on the west, the island is a vast expanse of untouched volcanic overflow. The majority of it is part of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Above this is Mauna Kea State Recreation Area, the best star-gazing spot in the world and a designated astronomy center. The road to Mauna Kea cannot be navigated in a rental car.

The southern tip of the island, which is also the southernmost point in the U.S., has barely been touched by civilization. There are a few hotels and a few B&Bs. Travelers to the south shore usually visit the semi-famous Punalu'u Bakeshop & Visitor Center for lunch.

The Big Island really lives up to its nickname. You can drive for hours and see nothing at all. Then, suddenly, you'll stumble on a patch of land so developed that it resembles a strip mall in suburban Nevada. The Kona Coast is a desert. Hilo is a rainforest. There are palm trees growing out of lava rock on the Kohala Coast. There is skiing on Mauna Kea. Tens of thousands of feet below the snow-capped peak, sea turtles and dolphins play in an ocean as warm as bathwater.

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Kohala Coast/Kohala

Hawaii
United States

The name translates to "Gold Coast." At first, it's hard to understand why this place deserves its name; the terrain is harsh, barren and almost spooky. That is, until one reaches the resort districts. The first one is Ka'upulehu, home of the Four Seasons and the legendary Kona Village Resort. You must have a room reservation--or at the very least, a lunch reservation--to get inside the gates. Further up the road is Waikoloa. This resort isn't as picky; it'll let anyone inside. Plenty of visitors to other districts opt to spend a full day exploring Waikoloa. Further along you'll find Mauna Lani and Mauna Kea. Each resort district has a few four-star hotels, a few luxury condomium complexes and a dozen gourmet restaurants. Stop by the secluded beach park on the Mauna Lani property where the fabulous Puako Petroglyphs are located. Hapuna Beach Park sits in splendid isolation on the North Kohala Coast. If there is one thing that brings people from around the world to the Kohala Coast, it is the golf. Most area courses rank among the top 100 in the United States. Hapuna Golf Course, Francis Brown I & II and the Waikoloa Village Golf Courses are all world-renowned. After Mauna Kea, things change. Beach parks dot the coastline, and little settlements crop up alongside the highway. The pace of life slows down to correspond with the speed limit. North Kohala is ranch land and coffee country. Buy coffee at Kohala Coffee Mill in downtown Hawi. Take a horseback excursion with Paniolo Adventures. Dine at Café Pesto or Bamboo.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Jay Hood

Kohala Coast/Kohala photo by David H. Webster

Photo: David H. Webster

Photo: Sean

Kohala Coast/Kohala photo by Cheryl Sleboda

Photo: Cheryl Sleboda

Kohala Coast/Kohala photo by Chris Hamilton

Photo: Chris Hamilton

Kohala Coast/Kohala photo by Douglas F. Smith

Photo: Douglas F. Smith

Photo: Amy Lenzo

Kohala Coast/Kohala photo by David Platt

Photo: David Platt

Photo: KelKnits

Kohala Coast/Kohala photo by Dallis Richardson

Photo: Dallis Richardson

Kohala Coast/Kohala photo by Kaye & Jim Goldbach

Photo: Kaye & Jim Goldbach

Kohala Coast/Kohala photo by Dimitri Lotovski

Photo: Dimitri Lotovski

Photo: cvdlinden

Kohala Coast/Kohala photo by David Roten

Photo: David Roten

Kohala Coast/Kohala photo by Robert Pagano

Photo: Robert Pagano

Kohala Coast/Kohala photo by Keith Fahlgren

Photo: Keith Fahlgren

Photo: Joey Hirai

Kohala Coast/Kohala photo by Michael Meredith

Photo: Michael Meredith

Kohala Coast/Kohala photo by Jessica Beth Taekman

Photo: Jessica Beth Taekman

Photo: Anonymous

Photo: cj.hawaii

Kohala Coast/Kohala photo by Anthony Bhe

Photo: Anthony Bhe

Kohala Coast/Kohala photo by David Alvarado

Photo: David Alvarado

Kohala Coast/Kohala photo by Christopher S. Rose

Photo: Christopher S. Rose

Kohala Coast/Kohala photo by Bryan Stieglitz

Photo: Bryan Stieglitz

Photo: Eric Duwe

Kohala Coast/Kohala photo by Judith Garrison

Photo: Judith Garrison

Photo: rdama

Kohala Coast/Kohala photo by David Landsel

Photo: David Landsel

Kohala Coast/Kohala photo by belleepoque

Photo: belleepoque

Kohala Coast/Kohala photo by Nathan Karst

Photo: Nathan Karst

Photo: anon ymous

Kohala Coast/Kohala photo by Michael Lindemann

Photo: Michael Lindemann

Kohala Coast/Kohala photo by christopher cordova

Photo: christopher cordova

Kohala Coast/Kohala photo by Joe Cipolla

Photo: Joe Cipolla

Kohala Coast/Kohala photo by John-Marc De Wilde

Photo: John-Marc De Wilde

Kohala Coast/Kohala photo by Michael Reed

Photo: Michael Reed

Kohala Coast/Kohala photo by Kjersti Andreassen

Photo: Kjersti Andreassen

Kohala Coast/Kohala photo by Jerrilynn Lilyblade

Photo: Jerrilynn Lilyblade

Kohala Coast/Kohala photo by Cameron Lewis

Photo: Cameron Lewis

Kohala Coast/Kohala photo by debby morgan

Photo: debby morgan

Photo: ayeu

Kohala Coast/Kohala photo by Dave Clayton

Photo: Dave Clayton

Kohala Coast/Kohala photo by Aaron & Carol

Photo: Aaron & Carol

Kohala Coast/Kohala photo by David Kashevaroff

Photo: David Kashevaroff

Kona

Hawaii
United States
This spread-out district stretches from South Kona, the location of Honaunau Bay, to the vast Kona State Park. The inland area resembles a run-of-the-mill mainland suburban community. The Kona Airport is located a few miles north of Kailua-Kona on Highway 19. The most heavily populated area is Kailua-Kona. It's the site of the Kailua Pier, the main tourist shopping drag. Just below Kailua-Kona is Keahou-Kona. Most of the area hotels are ranged down the coast, from Kailua to Keahou. Central Kailua-Kona has a half-dozen attractions, including Ahu'ena Heiau and Hulihe'e Palace. Along the coastline are Laaloa Beach Park, known for its "magic sands," and the Kona Historical Society Museum. The southern town of Captain Cook is considered a part of greater Kona. Many people make the trip down the coast to snorkel at the marine preserve or view the sea captain's monument.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Yvette Keohuloa
Photo: Elektra Noelani Fisher
Photo: Steve Jurvetson
Photo: Fumiaki Yoshimatsu
Photo: Adam
Photo: Fumiaki Yoshimatsu
Photo: Josse Ford
Photo: Steve Jurvetson

Photo: Adam
Photo: William Cooper
Photo: Dean P DuBois
Photo: Brian Knapp
Photo: Peter M Forster
Photo: Penny Walker
Photo: Jean Caspers
Photo: Da Nator

South and Central Regions

Hawaii
United States
Between Volcano on the east side and Kona on the west, the island is a vast expanse of untouched volcanic overflow. The majority of it is part of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Above this is Mauna Kea State Recreation Area, the best star-gazing spot in the world and a designated astronomy center. The road to Mauna Kea cannot be navigated in a rental car. The southern tip of the island, which is also the southernmost point in the U.S., has barely been touched by civilization. There are a few hotels and a few B&Bs. Travelers to the south shore usually visit the semi-famous Punalu'u Bakeshop & Visitor Center for lunch. The Big Island really lives up to its nickname. You can drive for hours and see nothing at all. Then, suddenly, you'll stumble on a patch of land so developed that it resembles a strip mall in suburban Nevada. The Kona Coast is a desert. Hilo is a rainforest. There are palm trees growing out of lava rock on the Kohala Coast. There is skiing on Mauna Kea. Tens of thousands of feet below the snow-capped peak, sea turtles and dolphins play in an ocean as warm as bathwater.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: cynthia_stowell

The Volcano

Hawaii
United States
South of Hilo on Highway 11 is the most famous spot in the islands. Officially titled Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, it is informally known as "The Volcano" or "Kilauea." Kilauea is, in fact, only a part of the massive park, but it's the part that everyone comes to see. Belching smoke and spewing flame, this is the most active volcano in the world. The Kilauea Visitor Center, Volcano Art Center and Jaggar Museum are open daily.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Jason Schultz
Photo: Maggie Houtz
Photo: Jason Schultz
Photo: s shepherd
Photo: la femme jen
Photo: Maggie Houtz
Photo: Collin Grady
Photo: Matthew Bodaly

Photo: James B.
Photo: Chrysanne Hamrah
Photo: Jeffrey Falvo
Photo: Tyrone Anderson
Photo: haddockrick
Photo: jerpro
Photo: brent hall
Photo: TC Smith

Photo: Daniel W. Slocum
Photo: lotsobabyphotos
Photo: J. Caldwell
Photo: Robin Halloran
Photo: Julie Horn
Photo: Laura Adams
Photo: Amy
Photo: Hayley Buchbinder

Photo: soundscapes
Photo: Ralph Procida
Photo: Clint Whiting
Photo: Bill Kristiansen
Photo: Virginia White
Photo: indichick7
Photo: Boris Kafka
Photo: Chad Towle

Photo: Larry Roberg
Photo: Jeff Robertson

Upcountry

Hawaii
United States
Inland from Waikoloa is the town of Waimea. It's small and out-of-the-way, but it has an abundance of personality. Businesses here are usually family-owned, and many of them feature island-made products. The land surrounding Waimea is either part of the Parker Ranch (the largest ranch in the state), or part of the Waipio Valley, which can only be toured on horseback or by covered wagon. Parker Ranch runs many attractions, though it is in the middle of construction and renovations currently. Hamakua Coast, the northeastern coastline of Hawaii, is often classified among the most scenic drives in the world.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: tom burke
Photo: tom burke
Photo: Heidi Whipple
Photo: Kristen Poynton
Photo: Dane Kantner
Photo: box of perfs
Photo: Simply Shot Maui
Photo: Eric Franke

Other Schmapplets in this city related to "Hawaii - Neighborhood Guide"
Hawaii
Hawaii - Historical Background
Hawaii - Where to Stay
Hawaii - Dining & Drinking
Hawaii - Art & Entertainment
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Honolulu (337 miles)
Kauai (508 miles)
Monterey and Carmel (3767 miles)
San Francisco (3786 miles)
San Jose and Silicon Valley (3790 miles)
Berkeley (3790 miles)
Napa Valley (3803 miles)
Sacramento (3887 miles)
Yosemite (3986 miles)

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