The sunny Kona District stretches almost two-thirds of the entire West side of the island of Hawaii—from just south of Anaehoomalu Bay (Waikoloa Beach Resort) to Manuka Park (Kau). Along this expansive area, you’ll find everything from coffee farms to historic Hawaiian landmarks. In fact, King Kamehameha actually spent his final years in Kailua-Kona.
King Kamehameha compound 
King Kamehameha compound
Once a summer vacation home for Hawaiian royalty built in 1838, today Hulihee Palace is a museum showcasing Victorian artifacts from the era of King Kalakaua and Queen Kapiolani.
Mokuaikaua Church (Hawaii’s earliest Christian Church built in 1820) is right across the street from the Hulihee Palace.
Kealakekua Bay to the south, is where Captain James Cook first set foot on the island in 1778 and where he was eventually killed.
Our excursion today was to take a peek into Kona’s underwater paradise by cruising the coral reef “Ship Wreck Rock” onboard a 36-foot glass bottom boat, named Marian.
The tour guide on board explained the tropical fish, coral colonies, and other underwater wonders that we saw.
Even though this excursion was only an hour long, it was a relaxing way to learn about, and see, one of Hawaii’s natural reefs. It’s no wonder this excursion was voted #1 travelers choice by Trip Advisor.
Tomorrow is our last stop for the Hawaiian Islands and we are ending our visit with a Hawaiian culinary home tour. We’ll be visiting three big island homes while enjoying an island-sourced, farm to table, progressive brunch. How cool is that?
Stay tuned