The best things to do in Hawaii County

Skip the same-old and rally the crew for 60 minutes of clue-chasing at 808 Escape, where you can hunt for missing Tiki in Tiki’s Shack or play hero with Mahalo Airlines: Flight 808 at Kona Airport. Smart, locally flavored puzzles that hit just the right challenge level, perfect for a midweek reset.

From the Big Island newsletter, October 4, 2026

Locals-only reminder: Kona Country Club keeps it classic in Keauhou with 18 holes riding sunny skies and gentle ocean breezes, plus a grass range and short-game area to tune up, and it’s a former Golf Digest Top 100 Public pick. Sneak in a round this week and let the views reset you.

From the Big Island newsletter, October 3, 2026

Trade the usual pau hana for a legit imu ceremony, live hula and a jaw-drop Samoan fire knife finale at Voyagers of the Pacific Lū‘au. Come hungry for tender imu-roasted pork and classic island plates, sip a Mai Tai, watch Kailua Bay glow at sunset.

From the Big Island newsletter, October 13, 2026

If you call Kūkio, Maniniʻowali, or Kaʻūpūlehu home, Kukio Golf and Beach Club is basically your paradise playbook: an 18-hole Tom Fazio course up mauka by Hualālai, a 10-hole short course, beach club dining and spa, and the Outdoor Pursuits ocean program, plus an exclusive brokerage for the community.

From the Big Island newsletter, October 29, 2026

Flight of Aloha delivers helicopter views without leaving the ground, using a massive curved screen, 8K projection, motion seats, and a hint of waterfall mist for real goosebumps. Native Hawaiian-owned, their films like Naupaka and Lahaina are created with cultural advisors so the ride feels pono and powerful.

From the Big Island newsletter, October 9, 2026

Set on the lower slopes of Hualalai, Makani Golf Club pairs wide fairways and a Perry Dye layout with cool air, light winds, and views of five mountains plus the ocean. Five tee boxes and water on nine holes keep it fun, whether you’re tuning your swing or just escaping town this week.

From the Big Island newsletter, August 11, 2026

Whether you’ve done it ten times or keep saying you will, Manta Ray Night Snorkel sets you up with lights, a snorkel board, and lifeguard-certified guides while Kona’s gentle giants swoop inches away. Go snorkel or opt for a two-tank dive if you’re certified and finally cross it off this week, local-style.

From the Big Island newsletter, October 27, 2026

Craving some swings without baking in the sun? Kona Golf Hale has full-bay simulators with advanced shot data and video replay so you can actually groove that driver, then flip to real 18s, mini putt, and wild fantasy courses, plus a keiki-friendly multi-sport arcade.

From the Big Island newsletter, October 23, 2026

Sea Quest Hawaii runs intimate, small-group raft and snorkel adventures led by savvy local captains who mix marine know-how with real Kona stories. This week, slip into sea caves, cruise lava tubes, and float above Kealakekua’s reefs… or glide at night while manta rays barrel roll below.

From the Big Island newsletter, October 19, 2026

Rally the crew this week and hit KBXtreme for lanes that play like a party, an arcade that hits the nostalgia button, and a karaoke lounge with a deep songbook. Grab Hawaii-style comfort plates from Chubby’s Diner, then catch live shows or just settle into pure Big Island fun.

From the Big Island newsletter, October 22, 2026

HI Score is Kona's unlimited-play arcade fix, where you pay once and every machine is set to free play, no time limits, no card nonsense. Bring friends, grab a mic in their HI Note Karaoke rooms, or plan a private party when you just need pure, screen-lit nostalgia.

From the Big Island newsletter, October 24, 2026

Friendly Activities is run by Michael, a Kona concierge with 22 years of vetting the island’s best adventures, from manta ray night snorkels and actual sailing at sunset to zip lines, fishing, and volcano tours. Got a free day this week, or visitors to entertain? Let him line it up.

From the Big Island newsletter, October 6, 2026

Mauna Lani Golf serves up two championship courses with oceanfront moments and generous fairways threading ancient lava, plus the quick Wikiwiki 9 when you only have an hour. Take the Sunset Golf Tour for those Hole 15 bragging shots, then debrief at the Clubhouse Bar with something local.

From the Big Island newsletter, August 22, 2026

Whether you’re dodging the coastal heat or just craving forest vibes, Makalei Golf Club delivers bentgrass greens, elevation from 1,800 to 2,850 feet, and scenic holes weaving past lava tubes, cinder cones, and a century-old stone wall. A legit local reset with real shot-making.

From the Big Island newsletter, October 10, 2026

Rokoff Studio & Art Gallery has Alexander Rokoff’s original oils in Kona, one of a kind works collected worldwide and featured in American Art Collector and the Huffington Post. Think animals, landscapes, and the human form, plus custom commissions when that blank wall at home won’t quit staring.

From the Big Island newsletter, October 25, 2026