Hawai‘i has six official “SCENIC BYWAYS” (designated as part of the NATIONAL SCENIC BYWAYS PROGRAM ), and Hawai‘i Island is home to two of them: Māmalahoa Kona Heritage Corridor, and Ka‘ū Scenic Byway-the Slopes of Mauna Loa.
MĀMALAHOA KONA HERITAGE CORRIDOR takes you through an area of historic importance, telling the story of the area’s evolution — from a pathway for ancient Hawaiians, to its most recent development.
Located on Highway 11, KA‘Ū SCENIC BYWAY-THE SLOPES OF MAUNA LOA offers the longest stretches of natural scenery in the state. The route is the same travelers normally follow from the Kona direction when driving toward HAWAI‘I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK, and offers views of landscapes that run mauka (mountains) to makai (ocean).
To ensure folks don’t miss any of these Kona Coast sites, KAILUA VILLAGE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT created a KONA ROYAL FOOTSTEPS APP for smartphones. Visitors who download the free app will have access to information about sites found along the byway — think ancient HEIAU (temples), HULIHE‘E PALACE, HŌLUALOA ROYAL CENTER and the beach where King Kamehameha the Great perfected his surfing skills.
Search “Kona Royal Guide” or “Kona Royal Footsteps” to download the app, or visit historickailuavillage. com for more information.