Kailua-Kona is also known as Kailua and Kona Town.  The community was established in 1795 by King Kamehameha the Great, who was the King of the Big Island before he set out to unite the state.  With 19,173, has the second most number of people next to Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii.  Actually, down from the 2010 census of 11,975.  The volcanic eruption that began in 1983 still continues, bringing voggy weather, resulting in a compromised economy and not so high real estate prices. This town is dry and hot because ventilation is low.  Kona is the city with highest record low in the USA at 56F. Home of the Ironman World Triathlon since 1981.   However, beginning this year , while the women will continue to have their championship in Kailua-Kona on September 14, the men will go to Nice, France on October 2023.  They will flip in 2024, with women in Nice on September 24 and men in Kona on October 26.  Read my story on  how I almost killed it .  No kidding. Also has the annual Kona Coffee