Casa Kona

Big Island Recommendations

Here are some of our favorite things on the Big Island.  In addition to this small sample, we have many more detailed recommendations to share with our guests of Casa Kona:  things to do, local sights to see, favorite restaurant recommendations and menus, and day trips from your Casa Kona base.  Some of our recommendations are things that most tourists would never discover on their own, but we want you to experience the very best of all the Big Island has to offer!

Favorite Beaches

Makalawena--the most beautiful beach on the Kona Coast; you have to hike across a lava field to get there, but it's worth it when you do!

Kehena Black Sand Beach--beautiful and rare black sand beach on the Puna Coast.

Saddle Road - the new shortcut to Hilo and Puna.

Puna sights

Big Island Waterfalls

Kilauea volcano

New Black Sand Beach at Pohoiki

St Benedict's Painted Church

Puuhonua O Honaunau is the most famous and best preserved of Hawaii’s ancient places of refuge

Pololu Valley Lookout

Best Local-Style Food

Big Island Grill--be sure to try kalua pig & cabbage with steamed rice and potato-mac salad.  And save room for the mudd pie for dessert; it's more than big enough to share.  Delicious and very reasonably priced!

Macadamia Nut Danish from KTA Super Store (the ones in Hilo are the best).

Best Fish & Chips

Quinn's Almost by the Sea uses fresh Ono for their fish & chips; the calamari & chips is also excellent.  Great restaurant!

Best Mai Tai

Royal Kona Resort sunset happy hour for half price mai tais and appetizers!