Trolley Tour in Kailua Kona

If you find yourself in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii without a car, the Keauhou Trolley is a great way to tour the town and see the views along the coast.  For $2 you can ride between the Sheraton Kona Resort in Keauhou along Ali’i Drive to the Kailua Pier. The Trolley is a way to get to beaches, vacation rentals, hotels, restaurants, and businesses in Kona without a rental car or having to deal with the shortage of parking spaces.

 

Kailua Pier

The Trolley starts at the Sheraton Kona Resort in Keauhou at 9 AM and drives the route until 9:15 PM where it ends at the Sheraton. The route from the Sheraton to Kailua Pier takes approximately 40 minutes with stops at the Kona Country Club, Keauhou Shopping Center (at Longs), Kahalu’u Beach (Bus Kiosk at the crosswalk), Magic Sands Beach, Kona Bali Kai, Aston Kona By The Sea, Royal Sea Cliff, Royal Kona Resort (across the street), Coconut Grove Marketplace, St. Michael’s Church (Water Front Row), and Kona Market Place.  

Kona Coast Views

From there, the Trolley drives another route to shopping centers and businesses in Kailua including Hilo Hatties,  Walmart, Macy’s, Kona Commons Shopping Center, Kona International Marketplace, Kona Brewing Company, and Kona Coast Shopping Center which takes it approximately 40 minutes before returning to Kailua pier.  The Trolley then returns the Sheraton in Keauhou, again stopping all along Ali’i Drive.

 

Alii Drive across from Coconut Grove Marketplace

The Trolley is a great way to see the coastline and historic sites along Ali’i Drive.  

Kahalu'u beach on Alii Drive

At the Keauhou Shopping Center there is an interesting museum with displays about Keauhou's history, a KTA grocery store, our favorite Kona Stories bookstore, and panoramic views from Sam Choy’s Kai Lanai restaurant.  

View from Sam Choy's Kai Lanai

The Sheraton is near the Keauhou Shopping Center above Keauhou Bay.  You can enjoy the fantastic views from the hotel or walk down to the bay and watch all the tour boats and paddlers enjoying themselves.

A day off from driving on the Keauhou Trolley can be quite a treat!