Kailua-Kona: the land, the climate, the water.

At a glance

Elevation (most land)

16–1,124 ftmedian 264 ft

Annual rainfall

31 inmedian; 20–44 in across the area

Mean annual temp

74 °F71–75 °F across the area

USGS lava zone

4varies by parcel

Drive to KOA

~14 min7.4 mi from Kailua Pier; typical, light traffic

Area profiled

13.8 sq miKailua CDP

Land & elevation

Elevation climbs steadily from the shoreline, so a short drive mauka (upslope) changes views, breezes and rainfall. Across the Kailua CDP boundary, the middle 90% of land sits between 16 and 1,124 ft (median 264 ft; full range 0–1,527 ft). At Kailua Pier, the ground is near sea level.

Climate

Median annual rainfall across the area is about 31 inches, and most of the area gets 20–44 in (10th–90th percentile). At Kailua Pier, the atlas shows about 26 in a year. Mean annual air temperature is about 74 °F (71–75 °F across the area). On this island, temperature generally drops as elevation rises, and rainfall can change a lot within a few miles. Visit at different times of day before you choose.

These are long-term averages from University of Hawaiʻi climate atlases (rainfall base period 1978–2007), not forecasts or guarantees for any property.

Lava-flow hazard zone

Kailua-Kona lies on Hualālai, which last erupted in 1801. USGS rates hazard from Zone 1 (highest) to Zone 9 (lowest). Share of this area's land in each zone:

Varies by parcel. Zone boundaries are approximate. USGS notes that hazard generally changes gradually rather than abruptly at a line, and lenders and insurers use the zone of the specific parcel. I look up the zone for every property and get insurance quotes before contingencies are removed.

Water: county system or catchment

The County Department of Water Supply's North Kona Water System serves this part of Kona from groundwater wells, including Palani, Honokōhau and Kalaoa wells (2025 report).

Public-system coverage is parcel-specific: some properties have a water meter, some are on a private or community system, and some rely on rainwater catchment or hauled water. We confirm the source for every property in due diligence, and your lender and inspector should too.

Getting to Kona International Airport (KOA)

From Kailua Pier, the drive to KOA is about 7.4 miles, typically about 14 minutes in light traffic. Actual times vary with traffic, construction and where in the area you start.

Before you buy in Kailua-Kona

• Confirm the parcel's lava zone and get homeowners-insurance quotes early
• Confirm the water source (meter, private system, catchment or hauled)
• Confirm the wastewater system: sewer, septic or cesspool (why it matters)
• Check tenure (fee simple or leasehold), and HOA rules and fees if any
• Check County zoning and registration rules before planning any short-term rental

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