Originally a hotel, the Kona Inn was built in 1928 to woo a new wave of wealthy travelers. As newer condos and resorts opened along the Kona and Kohala coasts, it lost much of its appeal, and was eventually transformed into a low-rise mall with dozens of clothing boutiques, art galleries, gift shops, and island-style eateries. Broad lawns with coconut trees on the ocean side are lovely for afternoon picnics and the open-air Kona Inn restaurant is a local favorite for evening mai tais. Prior to the construction of the inn, the personal heiau of King Liholiho stood on this shore.
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