Surrounded by soaring mountains, exotic beaches, and crystal-clear ocean waters, you will find much to be thankful for during your Thanksgiving in Hawaii getaway. The Big Island offers exciting terrain and charming beach towns that are meant to be explored. Visiting Kona during Thanksgiving means you will have access to all of the island activities that make a Hawaii vacation so alluring, while also having access to additional holiday festivities. Continue special Thanksgiving traditions even while on vacation and create entirely new island-style memories this Thanksgiving! This guide to Thanksgiving in Kona will help you get started in planning a memorable holiday in one of Hawaii’s top destinations.
Indulge in a Kona Thanksgiving Feast
Celebrating Thanksgiving in Kona, Hawaii offers a mixture of traditional Thanksgiving feasting and locally inspired dishes. While you will find many families celebrating with dishes such as turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes, it is also not uncommon to find dishes of kalua pork, rice, and poke in the mix. Delight your culinary senses with a Thanksgiving dinner in Kona during your stay! While many restaurants do not advertise their Thanksgiving specials, restaurants especially near resort areas often remain open for the holidays and offer dishes that will satisfy your craving for all the Thanksgiving favorites. Consider checking out Kona Grill for their traditional turkey dinner topped off with a tantalizing slice of macadamia nut pie!
For something untraditional, consider attending a Big Island luau for your Thanksgiving feast. While most luaus are not open on Thanksgiving Day, simply celebrating a day earlier or the day after the holiday is an easy solution. Island Breeze Luau offers a show on the night before Thanksgiving, while you can catch the Legends of Hawaii Luau on the evening after Thanksgiving. Both venues offer a fantastic setting complete with music, dancing, and of course, the much-anticipated local-style feast.
Kick off the Holiday Season
Turkey Trots have become a family tradition for kicking off the holiday morning with an active outdoor experience. Get a jumpstart on burning off the calories you’ll likely consume later by participating in one of the Kona Turkey Trot options! If you want to run on Thanksgiving Day, consider heading across the island to participate in the B.I.R.R. Turkey Trot 5K. This free event benefits the Hilo Food Basket and is a great way to get your adrenaline pumping early on Thanksgiving morning.
With the completion of Kona Thanksgiving comes the kickstart of the Christmas season. Stick around just long enough to see the celebratory twinkle of lights in the swaying palm trees and Santa decorations with festive red and white aloha shirts being put up around town. Start your Christmas shopping early by picking up unique items from some of the best places to shop in Kona. The Kona Inn Shopping Village, Kona Commons Shopping Center, and Coconut Grove Marketplace are all popular places to pick up island-inspired wear and gift items. Be sure to explore the famed stretch of Ali’i Drive, a one-mile stretch in downtown Kona that runs along the ocean and offers a wide variety of shops and restaurants.
Celebrate with Favorite Island Activities
The Big Island of Hawaii is known for its extensive outdoor activity options, beautiful beaches, and variety of historic and cultural activities. All of these well-loved attractions are easily accessible on your Thanksgiving getaway to Kona. Spend your Thanksgiving morning on one of the beautiful beaches in Kona, starting off the holiday island-style. If you don’t want to venture far from town, King Kamehameha Beach, also known as King Kam, is a favorite for swimming, snorkeling, and stand-up paddle boarding. This beach is tucked between the Kailua Pier and a rocky outcropping, making its waters calm and protected. For an unforgettable snorkeling experience, head to the famed waters of Kealakekua Bay, a Marine Life Conservation District. And if you would prefer to have a quiet holiday morning to yourselves, head to Makalawena Beach, which is usually devoid of crowds thanks to the two-mile hike required to get there.
The Big Island’s volcanic terrain, paniolo (cowboy) culture, and abundant coffee fields mean that there is no shortage of options when it comes to an adventure by land. Sip your way through Kona’s famed coffee plantations, explore the island’s interior via horseback, or embark on a hike through otherworldly terrain. Water adventures such as learning a new aquatic sport, night snorkeling with manta rays, and heading out on a dolphin-watching cruise are all readily available options from Kona.
Select the Best Home Away from Home for Thanksgiving
Our Thanksgiving Kona rentals offer plenty of square footage and full kitchens, making it easy to whip up any traditional family recipes you just can’t go without. And when it comes to location, these well-positioned rentals will place you right within the heart of the island’s best activities. Browse the Kona rentals offered by us at Venture Hawaii Rentals and get started on planning your Thanksgiving in Hawaii! Contact us today!
