About Hawaii
The
youngest island in the Hawaiian archipelago (a mere half-million years
old), Hawaii Island is still growing thanks to an energetic volcano. Yet
our island is larger than all the other islands combined, hence its
nickname, "The Big Island." This is also the island where Polynesian
voyagers from afar are believed to have first made landfall. Hawaii is the
storied home of Pele, Goddess of the Volcano. January 3rd, 1983 marks the
start of erupting Kilauea. The volcano continues to be active today.
The Big
Island has it all: Three dormant and one active volcano, sparkling
waterfalls, black-lava deserts and a snowcapped mountain peak. The Island
features also include tropical rainforests, lush valleys, and miles of
golden, black, salt and pepper and even green-sand beaches. To keep the
weatherman alert there are eleven different climate zones.
About
Kona District
Kona
meaning leeward or the west side of the
Big Island has a
humble starting point with the arrival of the Polynesians. Royalty soon
followed giving way to Captain Cook’s missionaries. The Hawaiian Monarchy
ruled until Hawaii was annexed into statehood. Kona is a gold mine in
history (actually King Kamehameha lived down the street from our condo)
Kona's first/oldest tourist hotel opened in 1917 in Caption Cook Town. The
Manago Hotel started as a two room house with cots and futons. The kitchen
had a cooking stove.
Today it
is a 64 room hotel; the restaurant serves home cooked meals and is noted
for the best pork chops on the Island. There is a community TV in the
lobby for guests to enjoy. Use of a computer is available in the lobby for
$5.00 per 30 minutes. If you want to feel that "Old Hawaii Feeling" have
dinner at the Manago Hotel.View the old photographs in the lobby and feel
that "Old Hawaiian spirit of family hospitality" Don't be fooled; despite
today's modern hotels, busy shopping centers, big box stores and up to
date conveniences, Kona is actually a rural district at heart known for
its calm seas, tropical weather and agricultural lands.( Kona Coffee)
About
Kailua Town
Kailua
town actually started as a small Hawaiian village. In the 1800s Kailua was
the commercial port and social hub of the Kona District. The town was host
to many sea captains, traders and whalers. Kailua is steep in history as
evidenced by the Royal Palace and settlement churches. The Royal palace is
about 2 miles from the condo on Alii Drive.Saint Michaels Church which is
the oldest Catholic Church was built in 1850 across from the Royal Palace
1928 marked the start of tourism with the building of the Kona Inn Hotel
catering to guests arriving by steamer ship. The first commercial flight
landed from Honolulu in 1949. The Old Kona airport was replaced by Kona
International Airport (KOA) in 1970. The new airport was built over the
old lava flow of 1801. Realistically the starting point of modern tourism
was1953 with the start of the County water system bringing water in
Kailua.
When The
Kona Inn stopped welcoming overnight guests in 1976, it was replaced by a
shopping center. The restaurant portion of the hotel remained open for
business. Today The Kona Inn is known as a "fine dining" open air
restaurant featuring great food and a view unmatched. Call for a
reservation requesting a table by the water....bring a hearty appetite and
a camera.
The
earliest record of a traffic light in Kona was at the intersection of
Kuakini / Hanama in Kailua which was activated in March 1982.
As much as
things change is as much as things stay the same. Over the past 30 years
new developments and condo complexes have been built. Alii Drive is still
the small two lane road along the ocean with beautiful views. Kailua is
still that little sleepy town that closes up at 9 pm. A very few
establishments are open till 10 or possibly 11 PM. The surfers are out
waiting for the 'big one" in the morning and as always when sunset comes
people stop doing whatever and watch in awe. Things really do stay the
same.
In the
Hawaiian language, "holoholo" means to go strolling or driving to see what
you can see. That’s a great way to explore the Big Island, and you’re
guaranteed to discover interesting places and people.
Please
remember that the word "Aloha" is more than a word of greeting or farewell
or a salutation. "Aloha" truly means mutual regard and affection and
extends warmth in caring with no obligation in return. You wont have to
look far to find Aloha on the Big Island. |
