Sun-dappled Kona
Kailua-Kona, or simply Kona, is the biggest city on The Big Island, and thanks to the mountains that block out tropical storms, the city is a famously dry, sunny paradise, even by Hawaii standards.
Hawaiian royalty once made their summer homes here, and you can still visit the wealth of historical and cultural sites in and around Kona to get a feel for the past. To really get to know the island, head out to the sparkling beaches, jungle-covered mountains, and stark volcanoes for the trademarks of a Big Island adventure.
Kona favorites
The Big Island is where beautiful scenery and culture converge, and Kona is within reach of it all.
Huliheʻe Palace
Built out of lava rock in 1838, this unique palace of Hawaiian royalty represents the Westernized shift during the era, and showcases both European artifacts and spears from Kamehameha The Great.
Kahaluu Beach Park
Just on the outskirts of Kona, this beach is a well-known spot for snorkeling in the placid, shallow waters. It’s a sure thing that you’ll meet a sea turtle and schools of friendly fish.
Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park
Learn about the history and culture of Native Hawaiians at this beachfront park, where you hike through a lava field to a black sand beach to explore tidepools and petroglyphs.
Try car sharing in Kona, HI
Hit the road
Book a car in Kona to take in the Big Island at your pace. Make easy shifts between beachsides, resorts, lush valleys, to mountaintops and volcanoes. Safe travels!
Book the perfect carHawaii Volcanoes National Park
Head into the heart of the island to Mauna Loa and Kilauea, two of the world’s most active volcanoes, to watch showers of sparks fly into the ocean off the craggy coastline.
Keaukaha Beach
It’s a gorgeous drive across the island to this black sand Hilo beach, where you can swim in spring-fed pools and snorkel with sea turtles.
Waipio Valley
This verdant, historic river valley is home to Hawaii’s longest waterfall, taro farms, and a dramatic vista from the 2,000-foot cliffs. If you’re lucky, you’ll see a herd of horses strolling Waipio Black Sand Beach at the end of the hike.
Recent reviews
The car was very clean and well maintained, this is a very good option for a car rental especially since normal car rental companies in Kona are always booked and more expensive.
My car was clean, with a full tank of gas, and the keys were waiting for me.
Great little car and excellent on gas which was a plus with such high gas prices atm.
Would recommend 100% getting this vehicle if you plan to travel around the island and save money with these gas prices!
Flexible with my schedule change… my first experience with Turo, I’ll avoid the rental companies whenever possible!
No problems at all, only used 3 gallons of gas in 3 days driving around Kailua Kona.
The rental process was easy to follow and very convenient pick up location right in Kona.
Very satisfied, he was punctual, polite, and the rental process was easy and straightforward.
Car is clean and in great condition, extremely comfortable which is something you might miss out on if you go with the rental companies.
They are extremely responsive, flexible and are committed to making sure you have what you need to enjoy your trip.
Charles was really accommodating and professional, I appreciated his attitude throughout the rental process and the car was great!
Great small car to get around the island and with high gas prices you get to save a bit with a vehicle that doesn't eat up gas.
You do have to take a taxi from Kona airport to get the car about $25 but the car is easily found at Walmart in Kona lockbox worked great car ran fine we had no problems I would suggest to everybody to go use Turo
Very convenient better than calling a Uber to and from the rental address by far the 15 dollar parking fee is way less than the cost of 2 Uber trips
The service was recommended to us when my wife and I were unable to locate a car rental - from any of the providers in Kona Airport area - for the Thanksgiving week.
Fast response time and she went above and beyond to help us out when our car rental service kept moving our reservation and then canceling it.
I would definitely recommend him to anyone looking to rent a car in Kona.
Great vehicle for Kona. very easy pick up and drop off. Very close to the Ship which make it convenient.
If you happen to be on the Kailua-Kona side of the big island this Corolla was a super clean car very well maintained.
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Best Kona driving roads
Chain of Craters Road
Take this route at the Hawaii Volcano National Park in your Kona car rental alternative for glimpses of fresh lava flow, petroglyph sites, and the dramatic 4,000-foot drop from crater to coast.
Kalapana-Kapoho Road
Take Highway 137 in your Kona car rental alternative through tunnels of trees just off the Puna coast until Isaac Hale Beach Park, where the road was cut off by lava flow.
South Kona Coffee Loop
Head south in your Kona car rental alternative to pick up Highway 160 in Captain Cook and ribbon your way through the lush green forests where farmers grow coffee. Catch Highway 11 back up to town.
Frequently asked questions in Kona
What do I need to book a car on Turo?
Do I need my own insurance?
What protection plan options are available on Turo?
How do I get discounts on cars in Kona?
Are there discounts on weekly or monthly trips?
What types of cars can I book in Kona?
How can I drive unlimited miles during my trip to Kona?
What payment methods does Turo accept?
What is the cancellation policy for guests on Turo?
What are the cleaning and safety policies on Turo?
Is Turo a rental car company?
Are there cars available near the Kona airport?
What types of sports cars, luxury cars, or exotics can I book in Kona?
Is there a fee to add additional drivers to my trip?
* Any personal insurance you may have that covers damage to the host’s vehicle would kick in before your protection plan, except in limited situations for trips booked in Maryland, but this protects your own wallet. Liability insurance is provided under a policy issued to Turo by Travelers Excess and Surplus Lines Company. Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. The policy does not provide coverage for damage to a host’s vehicle.
For questions or information about the third party liability insurance that is included in protection plans, consumers in Maryland and the licensed states listed here may contact Turo Insurance Agency at (415) 508-0283 or claims@turo.agency. For questions about how damage to a host’s vehicle is handled, visit the Turo Support site.
When a trip is booked in the state of Washington, physical damage to the host’s vehicle is covered by insurance purchased by Turo, but Turo’s insurance does not change the contractual responsibilities of hosts or guests with respect to physical damage to a host’s vehicle.