<p>The sunny Kona district is located on the western coast of the Big Island of Hawaii. This region includes wonderful beaches, scenic hikes and many historic sites. The mountain foothills in this area are known as Kona Coffee Country and home to coffee farms growing what many consider to be the world's best coffee beans. The main town in the Kona district is Kailua-Kona and its Historic Kailua Village. This was the final home of the renown Hawaiian monarch King Kamehameha. Today the Kona region is a world-class vacation destination.</p><p><br></p><p><b>Things To Do</b><br>Ocean lovers enjoy a variety of activities in Kona including snorkeling, scuba diving and kayaking. Kona is also one of the world's premier deep-sea fishing areas where big game fish including huge marlin and swordfish can provide the catch of a lifetime. Visit the sacred Hawaiian site called Puuhonua o Honaunau to see ruins of Hawaiian temples, fishponds and sacred burial areas as well as petroglyphs carvings in the rocks. Mokuaikaua Church provides a glimpse into the Big Island's missionary history including a model of the brig Thaddeus which brought missionaries to the island. The historic church was built of lava rock in 1836 and has been preserved and restored. The oceanfront Hulihee Palace is also an interesting place to visit. You can see how Hawaiian royalty lived in the 1800s including displays of Hawaiian featherwork, weavings, quilts, vintage furniture, portraits and other treasures of the past. The lava rock palace was built in 1838, and in the 1880s it served as the summer home of King David Kalakaua.</p><p><br></p><p><b>Nearby Beaches</b><br>There are many nice beaches in the Kona region, each with its own special charm. Kahaluu Beach is protected by a fringing coral reef making it popular for snorkeling and swimming. Hawaiian greens sea turtles are often seen here, and outside the reef is a good surfing break. Kamakahonu Beach is a lovely crescent of sand near Kailua Pier and also…