South Kona Coast  

Beyond Kailua-Kona the highway winds south through the elevated villages of Honalo, Kainliu, Captain Cook and Honaunau, where the famed Kona Coffee Belt gives rise to verdant palm-fringed fields of coffee, macadamia-nut and wild fruit trees. Rich lava soils aid and abet the lush green aspect and afternoon showers offer cool respite from the heat of the lowland regions.

• The towns are small and quaint and invite a stopover for refreshments, a look in at museum or a stroll around plantations and estates.