Captain Cook Monument - at Kealakekua Bay, is a tribute to the British navigator and discovererof the Hawaiian Islands who was killed on the shoreline in 1779.

First Christian Church - at Kailua-Kona, was erected by American missionaries who first landed on this coast in 1820.

Hulihe'e Palace - now a museum, located in Kailua-Kona. This was once the summer home of Hawaiian royalty and now houses a rare collection of Hawaiiana.

Kamehameha statue in Kohala. This is the original statue that was lost at sea during shipment to Hawaii and later recovered after a replica had been made and erected in Honolulu.

Lapakahi State Historical Park - north of Kawaihae, was once an ancient Hawaiian fishing village.

Painted Churches - at Honaunau, St. Benedict's is the oldest Catholic Church on the island, constructed in 1875. The church has brilliantly hued murals depicting biblical scenes on the interior walls. Murals in the Star of the Sea Catholic Church at Kalapana were painted by a priest half a century ago.

Pu'uhonua o Honaunau (Place of Refuge) - a national historical park, is said to have been built at the Honaunau location in the 12th century to provide political and religious asylum.

Pu'ukohola Heiau - near Kawaihae, was built by Kamehameha the Great and is now a national historical site.

Waha'ula Heiau - at the foot of the Chain of Craters Road is maintained by the National Park Service as part of the Volcanoes National Park. Walking tours available.

Palely Valley - in Kohala, this valley was once the locale of a number of ancient Hawaiian Heiau (temples).

White sand beaches - Hapuna State Beach Park and Kona State Beach Park are just two of our favorites. But all of the beaches on the western side of island have white sand and beautiful scenery.