As you drive 20-minutes north of Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport, you’ll marvel at the rugged lava fields surrounding you. You may not see it from Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway, but the Kohala Coast is where you’ll find some of the island’s finest resorts. Nestled amongst the jet-black and rust-red lava rock fields, a result of eruptions from the island's volcanos centuries ago, are green oases full of world-class accommodations, fine dining and some of Hawaiʻi’s best golf courses. The sun-drenched Kohala Coast sees an annual average rainfall of only nine inches, so soak in the sun and relax at Hāpuna Beach State Park, one of the island of Hawaiʻi’s largest white sand beaches, indulge at local restaurants or recharge at a local spa. You’ll discover cultural treasures on the Kohala Coast, too, such as the remarkable Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site, the largest restored heiau in Hawaiʻi.

Check out the U.S. grown farm-to-bottle rhum agricole of Kuleana Rum Works: https://kuleanarum.com/.