Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 334-2739; www.konabrewingco.com ; 75-5629 Kuakini Hwy, North Kona Shopping Center;
tours 10:30am & 3pm Mon-Fri) Founded in 1994, the Big Island's first micro-
brewery now ships its handcrafted brews throughout the islands and beyond. Tours of
this family-run Kona icon are free and include sampling.
Activities
Most of Kailua's activities focus on the sea. Coconut Grove on Ali'i Dr has a sandy vol-
leyball court (BYO volleyball or join a pickup game).
BIG ISLAND SURF BEACHES & BREAKS
Because Hawaiʻi is the youngest island and its coastline is still quite rugged, it's of-
ten assumed there isn't much in the way of surfable waves. As a result places like
Oʻahu and Kauaʻi have stolen the surf spotlight, but archaeologists and research-
ers believe that Kealakekua Bay ( Click here ) is probably where ancient Polynesians
started riding waves. Today a fun little left-hander called Keʻei breaks near the bay,
but it's unclear as of press time if the moratorium on kayaking in Kealakekua will
extend to surfing ( Click here ) .
Unlike its neighboring islands, whose north and south shores are the primary
center of swell activity, the east and west shores are the Big Island's focal points.
Because swells are shadowed by the other islands, as a general rule the surf
doesn't get as big here. The Kona Coast offers the best opportunities, with north
and south swell exposures, as well as offshore trade winds. Kawaihae Harbor( Click
here ) is surrounded by several fun, introductory reefs near the breakwall,while fur-
ther south, near Kekaha Kai State Park ( Click here ) , is a considerably more ad-
vanced break that challenges even the most seasoned surfers. If you have a 4WD
vehicle or don't mind an hour-long hike, be sure to check out heavy reef breaks like
Mahaiʻula ( Click here ) and Makalawena ( Click here ) . They break best on northwest
swells, making the later winter months the prime season. A hike or 4WD is also ne-
cessary to reach popular Pine Trees ( Click here ) at Keahole Point, near Kailua-Kona
airport.
On East Hawaiʻi, just outside of Hilo, are several good intermediate waves.
Richardson Ocean Park ( Click here ) is a good option within Hilo, and just west of
town is Honoliʻi ( Click here ), a fast left and right peak breaking into a river mouth.
Further up the Hamakua Coast is Waipiʻo Bay ( Click here ); while access to the
beach requires a long walk or a 4WD vehicle, the waves are worth the effort. Puna's
Pohoiki Bay ( Click here ) , meanwhile, boasts three breaks and offers the island's
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