Visit Hawaii: Holua Resort at Mauna Loa Village

1. Location

Holua Resort at Mauna Loa Village is located on the Kona Coast, adjacent to Keauhou Bay's private harbor with access to many boating activities and watersports.

"Holua" means "slide" in Hawaiian. The property sits on the slopes of Hulalai Mountain, a dormant volcano. The mountain contains a vertical slide that begins at about 800-foot elevation and dramatically drops into the ocean.

Many years ago, the Hawaiians cleared out a section in the hillside. To prove their bravery, the men would slide all the way down the mountain into the water on a very narrow board, about 4 inches wide. You can still see parts of the slide.

Holua Resort at Mauna Loa Village is nestled on 16 acres of gardens just a couple of hundred yards away from a beach and marina. It is surrounded by a 36-hole championship golf course.

The grounds are very nice-looking. Unique lava waterways meander through the entire property, fountains and lush floweres are everywhere. There are also a few ancient petroglyphs right on the grounds. Those were made by ancient Hawaiians who carved out stories on rocks. You can learn about Hawaiian history and the meaning of those carvings through the Petroglyph classes, conducted by the resort's activities director.

There are many shops and restaurants at the Keauhou Shopping Village, within driving distance from the Holua Resort at Mauna Loa Village . Downtown Kailua Kona is only 10 min north, and that is a very scenic drive with stunning coastal views.

Kona International Airport (KOA) is 17 minutes (10 miles) away.

2. Rooms

Holua Resort at Mauna Loa Village has 141 1- and 2-bedroom condos in 2-storey buildings. The octagon-shaped buildings are set among fountains and lush courtyards and each condo has a beautiful garden view.

Your condo will look very romantic, from Hawaiian gates and gas lamps on the outside to the distinct Polynesian architecture and decor on the inside. Furnishings are very striking.

In 2001, Holua Resort at Mauna Loa Village went through a $4 million renovation. After it was complete, the resort was awarded a gold medal for the new interior design.

This place is quiet, spacious, beautiful, and still close enough to all the action.

Each condo features:

1-bdr: 970 sq ft; 2-bdr: 1,507 sq ft
Air-conditioning
Large private lanai
Fully equipped kitchen (with microwave, coffee maker and dishwasher)
Dining area
Color cable TV and VCR
In-room stereo
Washer/dryer
Daily maid service

3. Restaurants

Holua Resort at Mauna Loa Village does not have an on-site restaurant, but there are quite a few restaurants and cafes located within 1-2 miles from the condo. Here are our 3 favorite places:

1) The Vista Restaurant – 0.4 miles, located at the Kona Country Club

This restaurant serves a breakfast menu all day (it is considered one of the best breakfast places on the Big Island), as well as sandwich/salad lunches and steak/seafood dinners.

Make sure to come here for dinner so you can enjoy a terrific view of the sun setting over Keauhou Bay. Menu can be described as upscale at affordable prices. Start with an appetizer Sashimi and Ahi (thin sliced fish presented no a bed of cabbage with curls of daikon and carrots).

For the main course, try Island-Style Seafood Stir-Fry (Jumbo shrimp, scallops & fresh catch seared and Wok-Fried with ginger, Lemon Grass, red onion, sweet bell peppers, carrots & mushrooms in Hoison & Sesame sauce), or Island Fish Tacos with Gourmet Greens (fresh catch sautéed in chili-infused olive oil and wrapped in a Spinach tortilla with crisp lettuce, fresh salsa, Jack & Cheddar cheese).

2) Drysdale's Two Restaurant – 1.1 mile away, at Keauhou Shopping Center

Local sports bar with eclectic menu. Their fish sandwiches are great! Overlooks part of the Ironman course. Great place to watch the race.

3) Jameson's by the Sea – 2.5 miles away

Sit outside next to the ocean or just inside the picture windows for glorious sunset views over Magic Sands Beach in Kona. The views is what has earned this restaurant quite a reputation among visitors and locals alike.

You can choose between 3 or 4 daily fish specials, some prepared Cajun-style. Sautéed scallops with lemon butter and capers and Jameson's special creamy clam chowder are popular as well. They also have great appetizers, steaks and tropical cocktails.

4. Things to do

Activities
There are many activities around the Holua Resort at Mauna Loa Village. Swimming beaches are minutes away. Enjoy deep sea fishing for giant marlin and tuna in Kona.
You can visit the historic Place of Refuge or Volcanoes National Park (about 3 hrs drive to the East Side). Be advanterous and take a helicopter tour over the Volcanoes National Park, go on a sailing excursion, try horseback riding or biking.

On-site facilities include: