Hawaii's Kohala Coast.

In the shadow of Hawaii's volcanoes is paradise from the remote oasis on Hana under Haleakala on Maui to the Mauna Loa volcano and the South Kohala Coast under the Mauna Kea Volcano, at over 33,000 feet when measured from the ocean floor is higher than Mt Everest. Volcanoes, extinct and active are the source of Hawaii's beauty and energy. When it comes to energy, the Natural Energy Lab near Kona has been making waves. Originally focused on ocean thermal energy conversion, today the center is growing Maine lobsters in it's nutrient rich deep sea water, bottles treated water for Japan, has solar and wind power projects as well as biofuel algae. And for those with a lot of energy, there is the Ironman competition which includes a 2.4 mile ocean swim, a 26.21 mile run and a 112 mile bike ride from Kona to Hawi and back. Of course for those with a little more time on their hands, a relaxing visit to Hawi is like stepping into old Hawaii. Originally a thriving sugar plantation town and nearby birthplace of Kahmeamea I, today it has some historic buildings from the 1800s, with shops, restaurants and galleries. You can find old and new Hawaiiana from ceramic pineapples, body lotions and creams made from local coconuts and other fruits, Kona coffee beans and Hawaiian shirts. Bamboo restaurant is a popular spot... Formerly a grocery store, today it has live music on the weekends, a bar, and store. The specials on the. Emu the day I was there was naked chef and wild women. But I settled on the Vietnamese salad with grilled mahi mahi, spring rolls and noodles. A number of top resort hotels are along the Kohala Coast including the Hapuna Prince , a 350 room with a golf course and at the foot of the Hapuna Beach a half mile sandy beach considered to be one of the top in the country. Nearby is the Mauna Lani, home to the Orchid hotel and Mauna Lani hotel. The Two golf courses that intertwine between both hotels make up the north Nd south courses where the senior skins is played. Legendary holders have played there from Bob Hope to Arnold Palmer. At the Mauna Lani you can get an Aloha greeting from the carp. Water is a dominant theme at the Mauna Lani with waterfalls, ponds, and even a turtle habitat. Nearby shopping centers have restaurants like Tommy Bahamas and Ruth's Chris, but the economy has taken its toll on retail shops where there are lots of vacancies. The march 11. 2011 tsunami took it's toll on the Kona Village Resort which closed its doors after 45 years. The nearby Four Seasons resort with a Jack Nicolas golf course is a popular oceanfront alternative. The legendary Mauna Kea resort was created by Laurence Rockefeller in 1965 at a cost of $15 million ...at that time the highest price for hotel construction. After a total renovation following an earthquake in 2006, today the hotel has elegant oceanfront rooms and suites, with flat screen tvs, Internet. The stunning beach is considered one of the finest in Hawaii with white sand, turquoise waters and a gateway to the deep blue pacific ocean. There is snorkeling among the outer rocks and reefs, paddle boarding and when the winter swells arrive, surfing and boogie boarding. The Manua Kea has a spa with body treatments and facials ... And a selection of restaurants from Manta And Wine Pavilion which serves a comprehensive buffet breakfast from waffles and omelets to broiled salmon, bright red local tomatoes, Puna sunrise papayas. And local wild cats are ever ready for handouts. Other wildlife from real manta rays at night to the world's largest Mccaw parrots. At Number 3, the restaurant on the famous Robert Trent Jones golf course ... Every meal starts with huge popovers. Spicy tomato soup with a tuna melt sandwich is a great traditional dish or for something with a little more Hawaii try the cooked tuna poke salad. The driving range has all the amenities of a great golf course and with ocean and mountain views it's a challenge to keep your eye on the ball. Many of the holes (recently redesigned by Trent Jone's son, Reese) have ocean views and none are more classic than the 3rd hole where the ball crosses a ocean cove. Higher up on the course the winds can pick up. One needs to remember no matter what hole you are on, the greens run towards the ocean. Each evening, as the ancient blowing of the conch shells sounds the time to lite the tiki torches along the beachfront ... Locals and visitors take time out to watch the sunset and if luck is on their side .. Perhaps catch a green flash as the sun drops into the pacific.

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Travel & Events

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• Hawaii
• Kohala Coast
• Mauna Kea
• Mauna Lani
• Kona
• Hawi
• Ironman
• Natural Energy Lab
• Manta
• Golf
• Trent Jones
• Arnold Palmer
• Bob Hope
• Beach
• Hapuna
• Hapuna Prince
• Orchid
• Island Pacific Kona District
• Hawaii Hawaiian