Kailua town, spreading upland from the shores of Kailua Bay, is the center of activity in South Kona. Once a seaside village, a playground for Hawaii's royal class, it is now a tourist mecca. Still time has not erased the past. Take a self-guided tour or join the Kona Historical Society for a 60-minute guided tour of Old Kailua. The $15 fee includes entry to Hulihe'e Palace.
A good starting point is King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel, 5660 Palani Rd. The hotel is located on the site of the ancient settlement of Kamakahonu, where the great King Kamehameha came to spend his last years.
Heading through Kailua's shopping district, you'll see the Mokuaikaua Church, Hawaii's first Christian church. Directly across the street from the church is the Hulihe'e Palace, a favorite summer getaway for Hawaii's monarchs. Just south is the historic Kona Inn, built in 1929, which now houses an array of interesting shops and restaurants.
