Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel
This is a beautiful beachfront hotel located in the heart of downtown Kona. The nearby area along with the great conference rooms will make for a great Big Island experience, both during the workshop and afterwards.
or call +1(808)329-2911
Kona
The Kona District takes up a large amount of the island of Hawaiʻi. There are beautiful beaches, coffee farms, and historic landmarks that are significant in Hawaiian history. King Kamehameha himself lived in Kailua-Kona near the end of his life.
Travel
Booking Your Flight
Book your flights to KOA (Kona International Airport, Kailua-Kona, HI). Many international airports on the west coast of the US offer direct flights to Kona. If you are flying from the east coast or from Europe, you will likely have one stop in Los Angeles, Seattle, or San Francisco. For visitors to our west, coming from Asia or Australia, expect a stopover in Honolulu.
For your return flight, a great option is to book a red-eye that leaves between 9 – 11 pm. These flights can get you all the way across the US by the morning, so you can arrive at your final destination without missing too much daylight in the Hawaiian sun.
Getting to the Hotel
- Taxi
- Rideshare (holoholo, Uber, Lyft)
- Rental Car
- Hele-On Bus public transport (Route 202 or 203)
In and Around Kona
Cultural Sites
Kamakahonu National Historic Landmark and the Ahuʻena Heiau
One of the most important historical sites in all of Hawaii, this is where Kamehameha the Great lived out the remaining years of his life and instituted some of the most constructive measures of his reign. This is the location where Kamehameha I died in 1819, where the ancient kapu system was broken, and where the first three Christian missionaries were granted permission to come ashore. (Source)(Source)
Hulihe‘e Palace
The Palace was originally built out of lava rock during the Kingdom of Hawai‘i on land known as Kalāke‘e, a former residence of Kamehameha the Great. The Palace itself was first home to High Chief John Adams Kuakini, brother of Ka‘ahumanu the favorite wife of Kamehameha, and later home to more members of Hawaiian royalty than any other residence in Hawai‘i. (Source)
Hawaiʻi’s Plymouth Rock
This historic marker was designed for the local churches to commemorate the 195th anniversary of the fulfillment of the prophecy by Kahuna Nui Hewahewa: that a new God would come and set foot on a rock at Kailua bay. (Source)
Nightlife
A Hawai’i based brewery for beers, hard seltzers, and hard teas.
A bar and grill with outdoor seating looking out into the ocean.
A “casual, toes-in-the-sand restaurant and bar” that featured local musicians every evening.
This bar is a great place for live music, dancing, and sunset ocean views.
A casual Alaskan alehouse regularly featuring live music.
Shopping
74-5444 Makala Blvd. Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Kona Commons, West Hawaiʻi’s “Best Shopping Center” for 11 years offers something for everyone and is home to 27 national and locally-owned amenities, shops, and eateries.
75-5815 Ali‘i Drive Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Coconut Grove is a 49,513 square foot shopping center that was built in 1989 on the coast of Kailua-Kona. Major retailers include ABC Stores, Outback Steakhouse, and Kona Gear.
Dining
A family owned restaurant with a great menu for a local-style breakfast. Their options include pancakes with homemade sweet cream sauce and platters with meats popular in Hawaiʻi like Kalua Pork, Corned Beef, and Portuguese Sausage.
This bistro is open for Breakfast, Lunch, Happy Hour, and Dinner. They proudly serve items with locally sourced ingredients including Big Island beef, freshly baked breads, and 100% Kona Coffee.
A local-style plate lunch restaurant best known for their Garlic Furikake Chicken. Their menu includes a variety of casual meals, including burgers and Korean bi bim bap. The name “broke da mouth grindz” is a local phrase for “delicious food.”
“UMEKE” is the Hawaiian word for “bowl.” At any Umeke’s eating establishment, a majority of menu items are designed to be served in bowls. Their menu includes poke, salads, loco moco, and more.
Overlooking Kailua Bay on the Big Island Hawaii, the Fish Hopper Seafood & Steaks restaurant serves innovative, internationally-inspired cuisine with fresh, local seafood and produce.
