One of the "must do" places to visit is the Kona Inn. It really isn't an inn anymore since the rooms have been converted to retail shops, However, the restaurant remains and is one of the nicest in Kona. The beautiful ocean view adds to the great food for a wonderful experience. Here is son information of the Inn from the Kona Historical Society:
"The Kona Inn, built in 1928, herald the start of commercial tourism in Kona. The decision by the Inter-Island Steamship Navigation Company to place a hotel in the shadow of Hulihe’e Palace signaled a new era for the isolated and undeveloped village at Kailua. Credit for Kona Inn’s graceful design goes to Charles Dickey (1871-1942), responsible for many distinctive and well-known buildings throughout Hawai’i.
The Kona Inn was built for a wealthy, leisured class. It had a saltwater swimming pool, tennis courts, cocktail lounge, and an unbeatable sunset view. For local residents with money to spend, the Kona Inn offered the amenities of a country club. It was the place to be on New Year’s Eve and throughout the year. Hula dancers, ukulele players, and singers with a Hawaiian repertoire were in demand. During World War II, the Kona Inn’s bar was a favorite watering hole for military officers."
Here a a few photos from our lunch at the Inn.
More Hawaii in the next post.
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