Where Do Cruise Ships Dock in Kona, Hawaii?

Cruise Ships Dock in Kona Hawaii

Kona, Hawaii is a popular destination for cruise ships, and for good reason. The area offers stunning scenery, beautiful beaches, and plenty of activities for visitors to enjoy. But where exactly do cruise ships dock in Kona?

In this article, we’ll take a look at the different cruise ship ports in Kona, as well as the pros and cons of each one. We’ll also provide some tips on how to choose the best port for your cruise.

So whether you’re planning a cruise to Kona or you’re just curious about where cruise ships dock in this beautiful Hawaiian destination, read on for all the information you need to know.

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Port	Terminal	Notes
Kailua-Kona	Hilo International Airport	The main cruise ship terminal in Kona, located near the airport.
Honokohau Harbor	Honokohau Small Boat Harbor	A smaller cruise ship terminal located near the Keauhou Bay Resort area.

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History of Cruise Ship Docking in Kona

The history of cruise ship docking in Kona can be traced back to the early days of cruise ship tourism in the Hawaiian Islands. In the 1950s, a handful of cruise ships began calling on Kona as part of their itineraries, but it was not until the 1970s that cruise ship tourism really began to take off in Kona.

The growth of the cruise ship industry in Kona was driven by a number of factors, including the increasing popularity of cruise vacations, the development of new cruise ship terminals in Kona, and the growth of the tourism industry in Hawaii as a whole.

By the 1990s, Kona had become one of the most popular cruise ship destinations in the world, and it remains a popular destination for cruise ships today.

Early days of cruise ship tourism in Kona

The first cruise ships to call on Kona were small, luxury liners that catered to a wealthy clientele. These ships offered passengers a chance to experience the beauty of the Hawaiian Islands in a luxurious and exclusive setting.

In the 1960s, the cruise ship industry began to change. Cruise ships became larger and more affordable, and they began to cater to a wider range of passengers. This led to a boom in cruise ship tourism in Kona, and by the 1970s, Kona was one of the most popular cruise ship destinations in the world.

Growth of the cruise ship industry in Kona

The growth of the cruise ship industry in Kona was driven by a number of factors, including:

• The increasing popularity of cruise vacations. In the 1970s, cruise vacations became increasingly popular as more and more people began to travel for pleasure. This trend continued into the 1980s and 1990s, and it helped to drive the growth of the cruise ship industry in Kona.
• The development of new cruise ship terminals in Kona. In the 1970s, the State of Hawaii began to invest in the development of new cruise ship terminals in Kona. These terminals were designed to accommodate the larger cruise ships that were beginning to call on Kona.
• The growth of the tourism industry in Hawaii as a whole. The growth of the cruise ship industry in Kona was also driven by the growth of the tourism industry in Hawaii as a whole. In the 1970s, Hawaii became a popular destination for tourists from all over the world, and this helped to increase the demand for cruise ship vacations to Hawaii.

Impact of cruise ships on Kona

The impact of cruise ships on Kona has been both positive and negative. On the positive side, cruise ships have brought a significant amount of economic activity to Kona. Cruise ships generate revenue for hotels, restaurants, shops, and other businesses in Kona. They also create jobs for local residents.

On the negative side, cruise ships can also have a negative impact on the environment and on the local community. Cruise ships can pollute the environment with their exhaust fumes and their waste. They can also contribute to traffic congestion and noise pollution.

Overall, the impact of cruise ships on Kona has been positive. Cruise ships have brought a significant amount of economic activity to Kona, and they have helped to create jobs for local residents. However, it is important to manage the growth of the cruise ship industry in Kona in a way that minimizes the negative impacts on the environment and on the local community.

Current Cruise Ship Docking Facilities in Kona

There are three main cruise ship docking facilities in Kona:

• Pier 2 at the Port of Honolulu
• Keauhou Bay Cruise Terminal
• Mauna Kea Beach Hotel Pier

Pier 2 at the Port of Honolulu

Pier 2 at the Port of Honolulu is the largest cruise ship terminal in Kona. It can accommodate ships up to 1,000 passengers. Pier 2 is located in the heart of downtown Honolulu, and it is close to a variety of shops, restaurants, and attractions.

Keauhou Bay Cruise Terminal

Keauhou Bay Cruise Terminal is located on the west side of the island of Hawaii. It can accommodate ships up to 800 passengers. Keauhou Bay Cruise Terminal is a beautiful setting, and it is close to a number of popular tourist destinations, including the Keauhou Bay State Recreation Area and the Polynesian Cultural Center.

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel Pier

The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel Pier is located on the north shore of the island of Hawaii. It can accommodate ships up to 400 passengers. The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel Pier is a secluded and luxurious setting, and it is close to the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, one of the most luxurious hotels in the world.

Cruise ships have been a part of the Kona tourism industry for

Where Do Cruise Ships Dock in Kona Hawaii?

Cruise ships dock at the Port of Honolulu, which is located on the island of Oahu. The port is about 45 miles from Kona, so cruise ships typically take a day to make the journey.

The Port of Honolulu has two cruise ship terminals: Terminal A and Terminal B. Terminal A is the larger of the two terminals and can accommodate ships up to 1,000 passengers. Terminal B is smaller and can accommodate ships up to 500 passengers.

Cruise ships typically dock at Terminal A. However, if there are multiple cruise ships in port at the same time, some ships may be required to dock at Terminal B.

The Port of Honolulu is a major economic driver for the state of Hawaii. In 2019, the port generated over $2 billion in economic activity and supported over 18,000 jobs.

Proposed Cruise Ship Docking Facilities in Kona

There are currently no cruise ship docking facilities in Kona. However, there are several proposals to build new cruise ship terminals in the area.

One proposal is to build a new pier at the Port of Honolulu. The new pier would be located on the west side of the port, near the existing cruise ship terminals. The pier would be able to accommodate ships up to 1,000 passengers.

Another proposal is to build a cruise ship terminal at Keauhou Bay. Keauhou Bay is a sheltered bay located on the west side of the island of Hawaii. The bay is a popular tourist destination and is home to several hotels and resorts. A cruise ship terminal at Keauhou Bay would allow cruise ships to dock closer to the tourist attractions on the west side of the island.

A third proposal is to build a cruise ship terminal at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is a luxury resort located on the north shore of the island of Hawaii. A cruise ship terminal at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel would allow cruise ships to dock in a beautiful setting and would provide easy access to the resort’s amenities.

Environmental Impacts of Cruise Ship Docking in Kona

Cruise ships have a number of environmental impacts, including air pollution, water pollution, noise pollution, and marine debris.

• Air pollution. Cruise ships emit large amounts of air pollution, including sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter. These pollutants can contribute to respiratory problems, heart disease, and cancer.
• Water pollution. Cruise ships also discharge wastewater into the ocean. This wastewater can contain harmful bacteria, viruses, and chemicals. These pollutants can harm marine life and contaminate drinking water.
• Noise pollution. Cruise ships generate a lot of noise, which can disturb marine life. Noise pollution can also be a nuisance for people living near cruise ship terminals.
• Marine debris. Cruise ships also contribute to marine debris. Marine debris is any man-made object that ends up in the ocean. Marine debris can harm marine life and can also be a hazard to navigation.

The environmental impacts of cruise ship docking in Kona are a serious concern. However, there are a number of steps that can be taken to reduce these impacts.

• Cruise ships can use cleaner fuels. Cruise ships can use cleaner fuels, such as liquefied natural gas (LNG), to reduce their emissions of air pollution.
• Cruise ships can discharge wastewater into more controlled areas. Cruise ships can discharge wastewater into more controlled areas, such as holding tanks, to reduce the amount of pollution that is discharged into the ocean.
• Cruise ships can reduce their noise pollution. Cruise ships can reduce their noise pollution by using quieter engines and by operating at slower speeds.
• Cruise ships can reduce their marine debris. Cruise ships can reduce their marine debris by using more sustainable materials and by taking steps to prevent items from being lost overboard.

By taking these steps, cruise ships can reduce their environmental impacts and help to protect the environment in Kona.

Cruise ships are a major economic driver for the state of Hawaii. However, cruise ships also have a number of environmental impacts. There are a number of steps that can be taken to reduce these impacts, such as using cleaner fuels, discharging wastewater into more controlled areas, reducing noise pollution, and reducing marine debris. By taking these steps, cruise ships can help to protect the environment in Kona.

Where do cruise ships dock in Kona Hawaii?

• A: Cruise ships dock at the Kailua-Kona Pier, which is located on the west side of the island. The pier is just a short walk from the city center, and there are plenty of restaurants, shops, and other attractions nearby.
• Q: How many cruise ships dock in Kona each year?

• A: The Kailua-Kona Pier can accommodate up to four cruise ships at a time, and it typically hosts around 100 cruise ships each year.
• Q: What are the best times to go on a cruise to Kona?

• A: The best times to go on a cruise to Kona are during the winter months (December to April), when the weather is warm and sunny. The summer months (May to September) can be hot and humid, but there are still plenty of things to do and see in Kona.
• Q: What are the most popular things to do in Kona?

• A: There are many things to do in Kona, including:
• Snorkeling and diving: The waters around Kona are home to a variety of coral reefs and marine life, making it a great place to go snorkeling and diving.
• Beaches: There are several beautiful beaches in Kona, including Hapuna Beach, Keauhou Beach, and Mauna Kea Beach.
• Hiking: There are also plenty of hiking trails in Kona, including the Keauhou-Kona Historical Trail and the Mauna Kea Summit Trail.
• Cultural attractions: Kona is home to a number of cultural attractions, including the Kona Historical Society Museum and the Hulihee Palace.

Additional resources:

• [Kailua-Kona Pier](https://www.portofkona.com/pier/)
• [Cruise lines that sail to Kona](https://www.portofkona.com/cruise-lines/)
• [Things to do in Kona](https://www.visitkona.com/things-to-do/)

  there are two main ports where cruise ships dock in Kona, Hawaii: the Keauhou Bay Cruise Terminal and the Honokohau Harbor Cruise Terminal. The Keauhou Bay Cruise Terminal is located closer to the city center and offers more amenities, while the Honokohau Harbor Cruise Terminal is located further away but offers more scenic views. Ultimately, the best port for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences.