Kailua CDP (Hawaii County), HI

Kailua on Hawaiʻi Island is usually called Kailua-Kona, which distinguishes it from Kailua on Oʻahu. Its old village core follows Kailua Bay and Aliʻi Drive, where narrow rights-of-way, low-rise buildings, mature trees, and close ocean views reflect a settlement that formed before modern traffic and parking demands. Kailua Village is Kona's cultural, retail, and visitor center. Historic sites, lodging, restaurants, shops, churches, and ocean activity occupy the same waterfront corridor, while newer commercial and civic buildings extend mauka toward Kuakini and Queen Kaʻahumanu highways.

Huliheʻe Palace gives that shoreline an unusually direct link to the Hawaiian Kingdom. Governor John Adams Kuakini built the lava-rock residence in 1838, and it later became a retreat for Hawaiian royalty. It now operates as a museum with koa furnishings, quilts, feather work, portraits, and other objects from the era of King Kalākaua and Queen Kapiʻolani. Monthly cultural programs bring hula to the palace lawn. Government activity sits farther inland at the West Hawaiʻi Civic Center, where county offices, council work, and planning hearings serve the Kona side of the island. Tourism and retail are most visible at the bay, while county services and larger shopping areas occupy the uphill road network.

Aliʻi Drive remains the practical thread through the coastal side of town. Effective February 2026, Hele-On Route 201 runs hourly, seven days a week, between the Loloku park-and-ride and Keauhou, stopping through the village along Aliʻi Drive. Route 202 circles north and central Kailua-Kona more frequently, including the courthouse and major shopping stops. At the northern end of the old center, Kailua Park occupies the former airport grounds with a gymnasium, aquatic center, sports fields, courts, skate park, playground, walking path, and Old Kona Airport Beach Park. The former runway area now carries lap swimming, ball games, shoreline walks, paddling facilities, and large community gatherings within sight of the bay.