Location: Honaunau
Top Things to do in Honaunau
The 10 Best Things to Do in Honaunau, United States
Hōnaunau (also spelled Honaunau) is an unincorporated community on the island of Hawaii in Hawaii County, Hawaii, United States. It lies just off Hawaii Belt Road on the opposite side of the island from Hilo, the county seat of Hawaii County. Its elevation is 52 feet (16 m). Because the community has borne multiple names, the Board on Geographic Names officially designated it "Honaunau" in 1914 and 1954 before changing to the current spelling in 2000. Although it is unincorporated, it has a post office, with the ZIP code 96726.
Restaurants in Honaunau
1. Kona Coffee Living History Farm
Overall Ratings
5 based on 197 reviews
Kona Historical Society's Kona Coffee Living History Farm in Captain Cook is a "must see" Hawaii attraction and the only living history coffee farm in the nation. Stroll through this Smithsonian-affiliated, outdoor museum that tells the story of Kona's Japanese immigrants that became Kona's coffee pioneers during the early 20th century. A self-guided experience, you're free to walk among the coffee trees, meet a "Kona Nightingale", or watch how farmers used the kuriba and hoshidana to mill and dry their world-famous coffee. Visit the original 1920's farmhouse where you may find the homemaker starting the fire to cook rice or making musubi for the farmer's lunch. "Talk story" along the way with living history interpreters and discover the story behind Kona's gourmet crop.
Reviewed By Phil S - Charlottesville, Virginia
This place is just a few acres but packed with history and has an excellent staff, both on the historical side (e.g. the fact that pre-WWII "coffee cooperatives" were anything but...) and also lots of information about local agriculture. We spent a couple of hours there and could have spent more. People apparently balk at the $15 fee: come'on, in Hawai'i that's the price of a couple cocktails (if that) -- these folks are doing a great job (they have lots of outreach to local schools, hence the limited public hours) and give them some help.
2. Greenwell Farms
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Kona coffee plantation.
Reviewed By jgluv2travel - Regina,Sask.
We didn’t take the tour this time because we had been on the tour a few years ago. It is only a half hour tour, which is just enough to learn about the entire process. We came for the tasting and to purchase some coffee.There...MoreMahalo for coming back to visit us again, we love seeing familiar faces! We are glad you were able to sample our coffee again and pick some up to bring home with you. We are looking forward to seeing you again on your next visit!
3. Honaunau Bay
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 481 reviews
Reviewed By Ashlee R - Fort Worth, Texas
Less of a beach, more of a snorkel/cultural site, and still a great excuse to get in the water. 20 miles south of Kailua-Kona. I stumbled upon this place after parking at the Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park, also known as the Place of Refuge. For $5 a car you can park and tour the partially restored and beautifully preserved site once a major religious site for the ancient Hawaiians. Definitely don’t miss this. Very informative and beautiful. But as an added bonus…only a short walking distance away…you will find Two Step. I admit - it didn’t look especially inviting. It was only after a more in-the-know visitor told me I was at the famous snorkeling site did I decide to go back to the car for my snorkel gear. (And seeing dolphins off shore didn’t hurt either) Carefully walk over the lava rock to the ocean’s edge to a perfect decent of two steps into the water. Two steps, and you are swimming with schools of Yellow Tangs, and a whole lot of other fish I can’t pronounce much less spell. Pack your fins and snorkel, save a whole lotta money by not booking a tour, and pat yourself on the back for being a “in-the-know” traveler.
4. King Kayak Hawaii
Overall Ratings
5 based on 122 reviews
Reviewed By samsea05 - Edmonton, Canada
Our little one had motion sickness so we had to return halfway but during our trip o can tell Kevin is a very patient guide and he is doing his best to leave you great memory. Besides he took pictures for you with no charge so enjoy the trip without worries to get your camera wet
5. Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
This 182-acre park contains the Puuhonua, a sacred place of refuge, as well as other temples and coastal sites.
Reviewed By Susie P - Palmetto
This park is very interesting with many displays of island life. Beautiful setting. We saw the most beautiful sea turtle on the beach. You can spend some time there wandering the paths and reading and learning about the history. We were on a tour so we could not spend as much time as we wanted there. If you are the type to take everything in and enjoy, then going by your own car is recommended.
6. Kealakekua Bay
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 688 reviews
Reviewed By wvlivingston - Brevard, North Carolina
Because we didn't have time to kayak or hike to the snorkeling location and weren't going to try to swim to it, we limited our visit to watching the sunset. It was truly spectacular and even included seeing some spinner dolphins. Although we never felt unsafe, this is a gathering location for locals of young adults to much older and mostly males: by the smell clearly the self-rolled items being smoked were not Prince Albert and the money exchanges going on were not for candy.
7. Bay View Farm
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 20 reviews
Bay View Kona Coffee- 100% Estate Grown Kona Coffee "We grow, harvest, process & roast our harvest right on the farm, guaranteeing each bag of coffee is the freshest you can buy" Bay View Farms overlooks the beautiful Keei Beach & Kealakekua Bay and offers free 100% Kona Coffee samples from the farm and free tours of its coffee operations. When visiting Kona we invite you to come and visit us here at Bay View Farms where you can experience our finest quality Kona coffee. Come & Enjoy the “Kona Coffee Magic” of Bay View Farms! Bay View Farm has been producing & processing the highest quality Kona Coffee since 1984. It was established & started by Andy & Roslyn “Roz” Roy. They acquired the 25 acre farm and since 1984 have grown Kona Coffee & other local produce, such as papayas and mangos on the property. Besides processing their own Kona Coffee, Bay View Farms became a well known processor in the Kona Coffee industry for other local farmers in the area, to which they used to purchase coffee cherries from other farms (est. of 150+ farmers), giving fair prices for their high quality beans. They did everything on the farm property from growing, harvesting, processing (wet & dry milling), roasting and packaging. Bay View Farms and its business played a key role in the Kona Coffee industry and within the community. In 1994, Roz opened the Bay View Farm coffee tasting room in the unique shaped gazebo that they had developed on their farm, that sits just along the Painted Church Road. This is where it all started for them to sell their Kona coffee & share it with visitors from all around the world and to the local community. It became one of the island's favorite coffee stop to many visitors that traveled within the Honaunau area of making their way to the historical landmarks such as The Painted Church, Pu'uhonua 'O Honaunau (Place of Refuge) and the Kealakekua Bay to which it's the home of Captain Cook's Monument. Roz operated the coffee tasting farm store and offered a farm tour to educate visitors of the Bay View Farms coffee process and operations from seed to cup. She did this and took pride in her family farm & the 100% Estate Grown Coffee that they had produced until she passed away in 2012. Since her passing, the family decided to leave and get out of the coffee business after being in it for almost 28 years so the farm has & was dormant for about 4-5 years until the property was sold to the new owners in 2016. As of today, 2017, the new owners Kona Torrent, LLC acquired the farm property and is bringing it back to life. In honor of the Roy family, the new owners decided to keep the Bay View Farm name. They are continuing the coffee farm in producing 100% Estate Grown Kona Coffee & have re-opened the coffee tasting farm store of trying to carry on the traditions that the Roy family have established.
Reviewed By sewfit - Camarillo
We had been here 25 + years ago and continued to have coffee shipped to us for many years ( until we had to reduce expenses). On a trip to Hawaii last month we decided to stop in and renew our relationship . We had no idea that the facility had gone through hard times but are delighted that they are back! The staff were fantastic , very knowledgeable and happy to educate us at length about the challenges facing producers of Kona coffee today. There are real reasons why it is so expensive but there is truly nothing like it! we learned so much. You can sample the coffees, honey , nuts etc. A very nice experience. We ended up buying more than we expected and will probably have things shipped to us when we run out. Well worth a visit! We hope Bay View Farms is fabulously successful.
8. Paleaku Gardens Peace Sanctuary
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 108 reviews
We are a non profit 501 3(c) educational and cultural facility set within a 7 acre Botanical Garden. We recently added a lovely gift shop and free coffee tasting. We offer self guided tours with an affordable admission and discounts for seniors, military and Kama'aina. Gently slopping land,mature shade trees, and expansive views from Kealakekua Bay to Place of Refuge allow one to wander through beautiful tropical displays and manicured foliage.Unique statuary, petroglyphs and the worlds only Galaxy Garden done in rare hibiscus provide great photo opts!
Reviewed By Bill G
We left the Painted Church and drove by this place on the way to another destination. When we saw the botanical gardens sign we turned back and went in. Admission for seniors is only $7, and well worth it.
It's not a large garden but it has very beautiful plants and flowers. Peace is in the name of the garden and it is a peaceful, Zen like experience.
We were very glad we stopped.
9. The Painted Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 537 reviews
Reviewed By Tina C - Cedar Park, Texas
We visited the Painted Church on recommendation of our Big Island in a day tour guide. It was a beautiful little church which has a variety of murals painted on the inside walls. The pastor who had the murals painted used them to tell a story to the locals that he could not communicate with through spoken language. The grounds of the church are beautiful as well. A nice little stop.
10. Manini Kapahukapu Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 24 reviews
Reviewed By chattygirl7491 - Franklin Ohio
20 minute drive South of Kailua Kona, near "Place of Refuge" is Manini Kapahukapu Beach, captian cook monument and painted church
We arrived the previous day so this was our first real day and first time snorkeling on this trip. We were aiming for two step which I gather is also place of refuge but somehow messed up and ended up here. I love happy accidents! There was a parking lot and someone sort of aggressively trying to rent kayaks across the bay (which is illegal). We went down a difference street and ended up at another part of this same area. Both places you could see the Cooke Monument across the bay. At this point I just wanted to get in the water and see some cool fish so we gave this a try and it was amazing. There is a gate but it was unlocked and a volunteer there to answer questions and protect this lovely area.
It's super easy access which is nice but there is natural springs at the entrance and it is VERY COLD. It warms up right after that first part so get through it fast and enjoy. Unfortunately my underwater digital died pretty soon after arriving so we had to leave and go camera shopping .,,, bummer. Plus a good many of my pics were ruined as a seal broke and it took on water.
This is free but not much parking so come early and avoid weekends. there is a couple picnic tables with shade.
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