View Hawaii on the mapUnlike Hilo on the island's east side, a rainy, green town, the Kona side is dry, strongly sunlit and more resort-like. Souvenir shops and restaurants line the seaside Ali'i Drive, and coffee farms spread across the slopes behind it, making the town two-layered.

Kona

Kona · United States · 19.64, -156.00

A region centered on Kailua-Kona on Hawaii Island's west coast, globally known for coffee production. With shallow waters, cruise ships typically land passengers by tender.

Port highlights

A town of about 23,000 (about 200,000 on the whole island of Hawaii)

Population

Warm year-round, with little temperature variation. Because Mauna Loa's rain shadow affects the area, rainfall is mainly localized afternoon showers, and the clear-sky rate is high. Calm days are common at sea year-round.

Climate

English (Hawaiian is also an official language)

Language

US dollar (USD)

Currency

Year-round. April to September is especially good, with little rain and calm seas

Best time to visit

Local food

Kona coffee, poke, loco moco, macadamia nuts, and grass-fed beef from Hawaii Island

Sights

Kona coffee farm tour and tastingPuuhonua o Honaunau National Historical ParkSnorkeling at Kealakekua BayNight snorkeling with manta raysHulihee Palace and Alii Drive in Kailua-Kona

Monthly average high / low temperatures

27°

19°Jan

27°

19°Feb

27°

20°Mar

28°

21°Apr

28°

22°May

29°

22°Jun

30°

23°Jul

30°

23°Aug

30°

23°Sep

30°

22°Oct

29°

21°Nov

27°

20°Dec

Unit: °C · NOAA climate normals · Period: 1991–2020 · Station: KE-AHOLE PT 68.13 · about 11.8 km from port · Last checked: Oct 4, 2026 · A guide for choosing your travel month.

Local prices for travelers

Much more expensive than Tokyo

Compared with Tokyo, Japan (median of items)240 (Tokyo = 100)

Compared with Tokyo, everything is much more expensive.

$3.19

Water 592 ml

$4.95

Coffee

$15.53

Inexpensive meal

$7.75

Local beer

$7.49

Big Mac

Prices from nearby Honolulu (about 268 km away) · Amounts in the recorded local currency. No currency conversion applied. · Last checked: Oct 2026 (partly estimated) · Sources: Shop and menu prices