10 Things to do close to the Kona Airport on Departure Day

Looking for something to do before your Kona departure? These are fun and simple activities close to the Kona Airport.

Image courtesy of Kaloko Honokohau

Kaloko Honokohau National Historical Park: A cultural and historical site on an ancient Hawaiian settlement on 1,600 acres of land showcasing traditional Hawaiian way of life. Explore ancient Hawaiian fishponds, petroglyphs and beautiful coastal walking trails along the coastline. Keep an eye out for native seabirds, green sea turtles and the occasional Hawaiian monk seal. Visitor Center 8:30 am to 4:00 p.m., Access Road 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

https://www.nps.gov/kaho/planyourvisit/index.htm

Kona Salt Farm: Just minutes south of the Kona Airport on the Hawaii Ocean Science and Technology Park lays Hawaii Islands only Salt Farm. Visit the charming Salt Farm Gift Shop for a complimentary salt tasting of the various flavored and smoked salts that are hand harvested there from deep ocean water or take a tour and learn about the art of salt harvesting, Hawaii’s salt tradition and how salt has been used both spiritually and practically since ancient times. Enjoy the beautiful oceanfront space and take a stroll on the Makai (Oceanfront) Walkway. Daily Farm Store Daily 9 a.m. -4 p.m. Daily Tours, Sunset Tours on Sundays and Mondays. https://konaseasalt.com/ 808.326.9301

Hawaiian Star Compass and Canoe House at Kohanaiki Beach Park: Also known as Pine Trees is a great stretch of beach and popular location for surfing, barbeques and watching the sunset. It is located on Kohanaiki Trail, the very end of the trail will take you into a historic area with a variety of things to see, a canoe house, fish ponds petroglyphs, a Native Plants Garden and a Hawaiian Star Compass. Knowledge of the night sky is the most important of the mental constructs of knowledge needed for wayfinding. The star compass was devised to help navigators memorise this knowledge. Gate Open 5:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Image Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation
Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation: Just a few minutes mauka (or upland) of the Kona Airport. You will be amazing how quickly you are in a completely different climate zone. Take one of the free educational coffee farm tours or enjoy the self-guided lava tube and enjoy seeing the native vegetation nature walk and if you haven’t yet, bring some of Kona’s delicious coffee with you. Thursday to Tuesday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

https://mountainthunder.com/ 808.325.5566

Image Harbor House

Harbor House: Grab a last-minute bite at this casual, family friendly and open-air restaurant located on the water on Kona’s Honokohau Harbor. Monday to Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., Sundays 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

http://www.harborhouserestaurantkona.com/

Image the Vanillerie

The Vanillerie: Visit this small and lovely vanilla farm, owned and operated by Guy and Jeannie Cellier and learn about growing vanilla and taste vanilla and visit their cute shop to take some great gifts home. Tuesday to Friday 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

https://www.thevanillerie.com/ 808.331.8535

Image Ocean Rider Seahorse Farm

Ocean Rider Seahorse Farm Tour: An organic seahorse farm that raises seahorses to people do not harvest from Hawaii’s reef system for aquariums. A fun and educational tour, you will see thousands of seahorses and sea dragons.

https://seahorse.com/ 808.329.6840

Deep Ocean Cold Water Foot Soak: Super refreshing before you get onto a long flight: On the Hawaii Ocean Science & Technology Park at the Kona Salt Farm: 12 Flowing Cold Deep Ocean Water Foot Soak Stations. Mineral-rich 48-degree cold flowing deep-sea water from 2,200 feet does wonders for your feet. Check in at the gift shop for your Magnesium to add for extra relaxation. Reserve your spot: https://konaseasalt.com/pages/the-farm

Image Big Island Abalone Farm Barbeque Area

Big Island Abalone Farm Tour: Tour the largest Abalone Farm in the US and learn the background story on Abalone, how they reproduce and you can taste Abalone on the Tour. And you can rent their venue for self-cook BBQ as well.

Monday to Saturday by reservation only https://www.bigislandabalone.com/farmtour