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Kona Shore Excursion: Kona History and Culture Tour

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Kailua-Kona, United States
(8)
Kona Shore Excursion: Kona History and Culture Tour
Puuhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park
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Free Cancellation
up to 24 hours in advance
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icon4 hours  (Approx.)
Pickup offered
Mobile ticket
iconOffered in: English

Overview

Sample the rich culture and history of Big Island life on this half-day shore excursion. Led by a local guide, make a stop at Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park, a historic sanctuary for Hawaiian lawbreakers. Then, admire the three-dimensional paintings inside St. Benedict’s Church, and taste a flavorful cup of island caffeine as you learn how Kona coffee is processed. Complimentary port pickup and drop-off are included with your adventure.
  • Historical and cultural tour of Kona
  • Admire beautiful, three-dimensional paintings at St Benedict's Painted Church
  • Learn how Kona coffee is processed and enjoy a free sample
  • Learn about how Kona coffee is processed and enjoy a free sample
  • Free port pickup and drop-off
  • Covered by Viator's worry-free policy: guaranteed on-time return to your ship
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Air-conditioned vehicle
Professional guide
Port pickup and drop off
Souvenirs
Gratuities
Food and drinks, unless specified

Departure Point

Traveler pickup is offered

Ports

  • Kailua Pier, Kaahumanu Pl, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA


Departure Time

10:00 AM
After being picked up at your port, you’ll begin your cultural exploration of Kona, stopping first at Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park, the ‘Place of Refuge at Honaunau.’ Listen as your guide explains the island’s ancient system of kapu, or law. Kapu-breaker’s only chance for survival would be to take sanctuary in these sacred grounds, where ceremonies of absolution often took place. You’ll have a chance to stroll around the palm-covered park and witness beautiful views of Honaunau Bay.

Head next to see Father Velghe’s paintings inside St. Benedict’s Painted Church. This Belgian-born priest created the three-dimensional works of art in 1842, displaying the stories of biblical heroes for parishioners who couldn’t write or read.

Then, learn the process behind the region’s famous coffee beans at Royal Kona Coffee. Sip a flavorful cup of Kona joe as you look out on views of Kealakekua Bay. Your tour will conclude with drop-off back at your port.

Worry-free Shore Excursion:

We will ensure your timely return back to the ship in Kona Pier for this activity. If your ship is delayed and you are unable attend this activity, your money will be refunded. See our terms and conditions for full details.
Itinerary
Stop At:  
Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park
An ancient Hawaiian village of refuge. The Puuhonua protected the kapu breakers, defeated warriors, as well as civilians during the time of battle.
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Duration: 15 minutes
Admission Ticket Free
Pass By:  
Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park
Captain Cook arrived here in 1779. Historical landmark views include the religious site Hikiau-heiau and Captain Cook’s monument across Kealakekua Bay.
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Stop At:  
The Painted Church
Benedict’s Painted Church: Built between 1899-1902, Belgian priests painted this church to be a grand cathedral.
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Duration: 20 minutes
Admission Ticket Free
Stop At:  
Royal Kona Coffee Center
The largest roaster of Kona Coffee in the world. Experience history as rich as the brew at the Kona coffee factory.
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Duration: 20 minutes
Admission Ticket Free
  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 2 days of travel. In this case confirmation will be received within 48 hours, subject to availability
  • This shore excursion can only be booked by Norwegian Cruise Line Pride of America passengers, Royal Caribbean Rhapsody of the Sea passengers, and Carnival Spirit passengers
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Most travelers can participate
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
  • OPERATED BY Roberts Hawaii

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Learn more about cancellations.

Traveler Photos

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Traveler Tips

  • "If you have additional time in Kona, I highly recommend the Kona Brewing Company as well." See review

Reviews

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23 Reviews
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Reviews by Viator travelers
Showing 1-10 of 23 reviews
star-2
Kona excursion
Rochelle39
, Aug 2019
The guide spoke in a monotone the entire time....could hardly understand what he was saying. Just sort of dropped off at spots and figure it out on your own. You need to add the amount of time just riding in the bus to get to one place to the other.
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star-5
Jim
Global64315523836
, Mar 2019
Beautiful and very informative. Enjoyed the tour very much. Tour guide was friendly and very knowledgeable.
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star-4
This tour was okay, but it was not...
Veronica P
, Aug 2018
This tour was okay, but it was not my favorite. We got to see some nice things including Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park. There were spiders EVERYWHERE. However, although terrifying, they did make a great subject for a few photos. The location was highly crowded, but it was definitely beautiful. We also got to stop and sample coffee at Royal Kona Coffee, which was good, but also very crowded! However, they had tons of different coffees you could sample for free! Really delicious! I would do the tour again, it was just not the highlight of our trip. If you have additional time in Kona, I highly recommend the Kona Brewing Company as well.
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star-4
This is a good tour, that let's you...
Michael N
, Nov 2017
This is a good tour, that let's you see some parts of Kona you might not get to. Problem is that it is too short. You could use more time at most stops . Tours drivers are good, though and add a lot to the sights you are seeing through their knowledge of history of the island.
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star-5
Great Guide , visiting the refuge...
Susan D
, Sep 2017
Great Guide , visiting the refuge was the best part , a beautiful place enjoyed the history of this place , we were given plenty of time for this visit. We also visited the Kona Coffee and the Painted Church.
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star-5
We didn't get much of a tour of the...
Franny
, Mar 2017
We didn't get much of a tour of the coffee plantation. I did a coffee plantation Tour in Costa Rico, so I know what the bean cherry looks like on the bush and how all the layers are separated after the beans are dried out in the sun. All the free samples were tasty if you like coffee. The chocolate covered coffee beans were really good, too and I bought many packages of chocolate covered macadamia nuts as requested by my family...some milk chocolate and some dark chocolate. many varieties. No need for a stop at the Mona Laua -most popular brand on the mainland factory. I would have liked to see how they are processed. Fascinated by the prep- work required to make cashews into cocktail nuts. As seen in Malaysia...ever wonder why cashews are so expensive? Why you cannot buy them in the shell? workers wrap fingers with cling wrap because the nut meat is floating in a toxin liquid just inside the shell.
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star-2
The beach history was good. We could...
Bhagwan B
, Dec 2016
The beach history was good. We could have had Kona coffee anywhere on the island. The tour should have also included Captain Cook's site, which it did not. The drive thru Kona was okay.
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star-5
Excellent Tour. Well worth the...
Richard T
, Jul 2016
Excellent Tour. Well worth the cost. Beautiful location in Kona. History and culture were both found in one location. Excellent narration to and from the sites.
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star-5
Lincoln our tour guide/ bus driver...
Linda B
, Jul 2016
Lincoln our tour guide/ bus driver was great! We learned so much about Kona history. I highly recommend this tour!
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star-3
Good for what we saw, just not as...
Fred P
, Jan 2016
Good for what we saw, just not as interesting as other sites on the Big Island.
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