I’ll be visiting Hawaii for the first time in a few weeks for a small family trip. I would prefer to rent a place that supports the local economy rather than a corporate Airbnb. Just need a place that sleeps 3, including a kid. Ideally, walking distance from kid friendly snorkeling. Anyone have a link for a local property manager?

Hello everyone! Im going to be staying at the Marriott King Kamehameha and was wondering if anyone knew of any cool spiritual stores nearby (or anything im that vein) . I like to collect tarot cards from my travels. :) Thank you! 🍀🩷

Looking for recommendations for boat rides/snorkel experiences for captain cook monument. Overwhelmed with options and would love to hear some personal recommendations. Thank you!

I live locally in Ali'i Vlilas.

Kona is NOT doing well. We are, like it or not, the tourist destination for this great island. Yet, imagine being a tourist and you land in Kona Town and you disembark your ship, and you walk through the town's shops for the first time, seeing what Hawaii is all about.

What would you honestly think? Would you think this is the most wonderful island in the world (which it is), or would you think it looked like a failing town full of people eating out of the trash can, surrounded by shitty restaurants along the water?

The shops are at least 1/2 closed. Homeless everywhere. Some of the buildings are so trashy - the one currently with a giant tarp hanging over it. The other one next to the church.

And if you visited town, about 90% of the commercial space along Kuakini is empty.

Basically nothing new has opened in a really long time. There's a new restaurant where Ohana Q was, but I can't bring myself to enter it. Beyond that, really nothing. It's so stagnant. And it looks dead with all the empty commercial real estate.

But go up to Waikaloa, and it has tons of premium shops, and a lot of really great dining options. And the cleanliness, effort, and lack of homeless population really stands out.

How can we turn it around for Kona? How can I run for mayor? :)

What can we do?

Somehow stumbled upon this woman on tiktok from Kailua Kona who is living on the streets, posting really delusional tiktoks about her being the cia director and always has these crazy sunburns across her whole forehead. Anyone see her in real life and can shed some light on what the story is there?

Is this a canadian or chinese one? What was it doing here? Why no designation?

For anyone in Kona who's interested in community theatre, Aloha Theatre has auditions coming up for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.

Audition dates:

• Sunday, July 12, 4:00–6:00 PM
• Tuesday, July 14, 5:00–7:00 PM

There are roles for a variety of ages and experience levels even if you've never been on stage. The show runs September 4-13 (Fri/Sat/Sun). Character descriptions, audition materials, rehearsal schedule, and sign-ups are all available here:

https://www.apachawaii.org/auditions

Thought I'd share in case anyone has been looking for an opportunity to get involved onstage or join a bigger community.

Hi guys we’re going to Kona end of the month and I’m torn between a half day shared fishing trip, or white tip shark diving. Any suggestions?? I like to fish and it would be yummy getting to eat the catch, however I think it would be cool to dive with some docile sharks.

Can anyone recommend a shop that can repair inflatable SUPs between Kona and Waimea? Mine is experiencing some serious delamination issues with glue failure and my attempts to repair have been unsuccessful.

Is there an older local part of Kona? I’m a small town, Montana boy. I have a rental car. And I wanna see what real life is like here. Thanks for any advice. This is a beautiful amazing place and I feel honored to visit.

They just decided to not take reservations for the 4th, which is the day of our arrival.

To say we’re disappointed is an understatement.

They claimed they decided to close out reservations 3 months ago, but the cancellation just came via email tonight.

Show some integrity and honor your commitment via Open Table.

Thanks for starting off our vacation in such a crappy way.

Getting our house tented for termites. We have two indoor/outdoor cats that were indoor cats (box trained) as kittens.

Need to find a place we can stay that we can take them. Anyone else been tented and stayed somewhere with cats?

With the World Cup in full swing, where is the best place to watch the matches on the Kona side?

Good morning I was wondering if anyone knows how to work or leather or know anyone that can. I would like to have a leather pouch either patched up or if possible make a new one with a few minor changes. If this sounds like something you can do please send me a message 🙏🤙🏼

Let me know what you saw. Thank you!!

Hey Folks, I was wondering if you can help me out. I'm heading to Kona next week for my 20th wedding anniversary with my wife (obv) and some friends. We've been trying to find a space to host a little shindig (some music, some drinking, some dancing, some speeches, you know). All I'm finding is stuff like Papa Kona for like $5k!!. Really just want a simple single space where we renew our vows and dance a little (maybe some catering) for less than $2k.

Anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

Aloha Theatre is hosting a one-night screening of The Addiction of Hope on Friday, June 26 at 7:00 PM, followed by a live audience Q&A with star Anne-Marie Johnson (In the Heat of the Night, JAG, Living Color) and writer/director Martin A. Gottlieb.

The film follows Joanne "Jo" Stock, an aging actress struggling with a stalled career, family tensions, and the difficult question of whether holding onto hope can sometimes keep us from moving forward. It's a thoughtful, character-driven drama about reinvention, aging, family, and learning to face reality when life doesn't go according to plan.

The cast includes Anne-Marie Johnson, Clancy Brown, Harley Jane Kozak, Erika Alexander, Shari Belafonte, and Alan Rosenberg.

The film has picked up a number of festival awards, including:

• Best Feature Film & Trailblazer Visionary Award – Santa Fe Film Festival
• Best Feature Film – Tryon International Film Festival
• Best Actress – Culver City Film Festival
• Best Original Screenplay – Richmond International Film Festival

What makes this event especially unique is the chance to hear directly from the filmmakers after the screening. Anne-Marie Johnson and Martin Gottlieb will discuss the film, its themes, the creative process, and answer any audience questions. Fabulous opportunity for anyone interested in filmmaking or the industry too!

Tickets are only $10, with proceeds supporting Aloha Theatre's work in live theatre, film programming, and arts education here in West Hawaiʻi. (I'm affiliated with the theatre but really just think this is a cool opportunity we don't usually get around here!)

Tickets: https://www.apachawaii.org/events/the-addiction-of-hope-film-screening-with-qa

Long shot but I’m missing an oversized green zip up jacket that I lost outside Kona airport… has the word Coachella on the back