Kona District, Hawaii facts for kids

Left to right: the North and South Kona districts, within the Big Island.

Kona is a special area, or moku, on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi in the state of Hawaii. It's famous for its delicious Kona coffee and the exciting Ironman World Championship Triathlon.

For how the area is managed, Kona is split into two parts: North Kona District (called Kona ‘Akau) and South Kona District (called Kona Hema). Sometimes, when people say "Kona," they are talking about its biggest town, Kailua-Kona. Other towns in Kona include Kealakekua, Keauhou, Holualoa, Hōnaunau, and Honalo.

What Makes Kona Special?

In the Hawaiian language, the word kona means the dry side of an island. This is different from ko‘olau, which means the wet or windy side. Long ago, in Ancient Hawaiʻi, Kona was the name for the dry area on every main island.

Kona's Unique Weather

Hawaii usually gets moist winds from the northeast. These winds bring rain when they hit the mountains on the windward (wet) side of the islands. After dropping their moisture, the winds move to the leeward (dry or kona) side. This is why Kona is often sunny and dry.

Sometimes, this weather pattern changes. When it does, it can cause a special kind of storm called a Kona storm. These storms bring rain from the west. The word Kona is similar to words in other Polynesian languages that mean the same thing. For example, in Tongan, the word is tonga.

Famous Events and Places

Kona is home to the Ironman World Championship Triathlon. This big race happens every October in Kailua-Kona. Athletes from all over the world come to compete.

You can also find important historical sites here. The Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park is where Captain James Cook was killed in 1779. Other parks like Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park and Honokohau Settlement and Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park are also in Kona. These parks help protect Hawaii's history and nature.

Growing Kona Coffee

The slopes of the Hualālai and Mauna Loa volcanoes in Kona are perfect for growing coffee. The special weather and land here create an ideal environment. This is why Kona coffee is known as one of the best specialty coffees in the world.

Kona in Pop Culture

Kona has even appeared in popular culture:

• The famous band The Beach Boys sang about the "Kona Coast" in their 1978 album M.I.U. Album.
• An asteroid, named 284891 Kona, was discovered in 2009. It was named after this Hawaiian district!

Images for kids

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  Kealakekua Bay

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  Sunset in Kona

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  Canoe Hale at Honaunau Bay

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  Plymouth Rock, Kailua Kona, Big island, Hawaii

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  Kona Dog Beach, Big island, Hawaii