Kona Coast

Section of the southwestern coast of the island of Hawaii, between Keahole Point and Ka Lae (South Cape), comprising two divisions (North Kona and South Kona) of Hawaii County. On the dry western side of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea, it is noted for its sunny weather, ranches, sports fishing, and production of coffee (and, more recently, cacao).

Kailua-Kona (or Kailua, unincorporated, population (1990) 9,100) is the chief settlement of North Kona; Kailua Bay was the site of the first landing (1820) of missionaries in Hawaii. South Kona stretches south from Captain Cook (unincorporated, population (1990) 2,600), near which is Kealakekua Bay, where the explorer was killed in 1779.

Just south is Pu'uhonua O Honaunau (City of Refuge) National Historical Park, best-known of a number of localities in the Hawaiian islands where outcasts, especially breakers of taboos, could traditionally escape vengeance.