Kona has an average high of 84 degrees Fahrenheit and Hilo’s average high is 81 degrees Fahrenheit. The seaside town is on the slope of a lush, tropical volcano. The state and private enterprises have invested in the Kona Coast with resorts, roads, restaurants, and activities to take advantage of the leeward climate. The difference in rainfall is the main reason Kailua-Kona has become the main tourist destination on the Big Island. Kailua-Kona, on the other hand, averages 18-inches of rain a year. Hilo is the fourth wettest-city in America. Hilo has a rainforest climate, meaning it averages 127-inches of rain a year.
We were able to see everything on the windward or east side of the Big Island plus the park during this 1-night, 2-day trip. With our toddler and dog, during our trip in January, we stayed in Kona but did one-night outside of Volcanoes National Park. A lot of driving but one can still see all the sights and get back to their resort or vacation rental. You can go to Volcanoes National Park from Kona on a day-trip. Therefore, Hawai’i is big but also a manageable drive. From Hilo, the drive is 50-minutes (30-miles).
Kailua-Kona to Hawai’i’s Volcanoes National Park is a 2-hour (83-mile) drive. The southern route taking you through the southernmost point in the United States is 3-hours. The northern route taking you through Parker Ranch’s cowboy country is 2-hours and 10-minutes. That is the shortest route, taking you between the massive shield volcanoes of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, on the aptly named Saddle Road. It takes 1-hour and 40-minutes to drive from Kona to Hilo. I could throw out stats like it is 4,028 square miles, 63% of the State of Hawaii’s landmass, bigger than all the other Hawaiian islands combined, and bigger than Delaware and Rhode Island combined. Therefore, we need to consider the following seven items when deciding between Hilo or Kona to stay.įirst, let’s get our bearings. I’m sure your interests in visiting the island will be different from mine. If Kilauea volcano erupts again (it will) then that will bring me back. I love the chill vibe, the many climates, and the coffee. The Big Island is my favorite island, after my home on Maui. Or, it is one of three islands you are touring so you can only allocate 3-days to seeing the sights.Įither way, Kona is the side of the Big Island you need to stay for your vacation. The Big Island might be your whole Hawaii vacation, 10 amazing days to see the island. Kona sunsets are reason enough to stay in Kona over Hilo.