About this Location

Facility Overview

Ali\'i Plaza Lot 3 is an open-air surface parking facility strategically situated at 75-5736 Kuakini Highway in the bustling coastal center of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Serving visitors, business patrons, and commercial tenants of Ali\'i Plaza and the vibrant historic Kailua Village corridor, this paved ground lot offers straightforward drive-up parking just steps from the oceanfront. Because it is a completely open surface lot, there are no low-hanging overhead barriers or structural clearance ceilings, making it exceptionally well-suited for oversized rental vehicles, full-size SUVs, lifted pickup trucks, and taller passenger vans frequently driven throughout the Big Island.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Located immediately adjacent to the core shopping, dining, and cultural strip along Ali\'i Drive, Ali\'i Plaza Lot 3 provides prime access to numerous downtown landmarks and shoreline destinations:

Historic Kailua Village & Ali\'i Drive: Within a 3 to 5-minute walk, visitors can browse boutique shops, local art galleries, and lively oceanside cafes.
Kona Farmers Market: Approximately a 5-minute stroll away, hosting regional produce, Hawaiian crafts, and local culinary favorites multiple days a week.
Huliheʻe Palace & Mokuaikaua Church: Located just a 6-minute walk south, offering a fascinating glimpse into Hawaiian royal history and missionary heritage.
Kailua Pier: About a 7 to 9-minute walk north, serving as the departure harbor for snorkeling, dolphin encounters, sportfishing charters, and the famed starting point of the Ironman World Championship.
Kona Inn Shopping Village: A 5-minute walk to oceanfront dining, cocktail spots, and open-air shopping plazas.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Drivers can conveniently enter and exit the parking lot directly off Kuakini Highway (Route 11), one of Kona\'s primary thoroughfares connecting North and South Kona. Traffic along Kuakini Highway flows steadily, though minor congestion can occur during afternoon commute times and cruise ship port days. The facility is directly linked to regional transit via the Hawaii County Hele-On Bus network, with stops located along Kuakini Highway and nearby Palani Road connecting Kailua-Kona to the Kona International Airport (KOA), Keauhou, and Hilo.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Open-Air Surface Bays: Flat, paved surface layout with marked stalls and generous turning aisles.
Unrestricted Headroom: No vertical height limits, easily accommodating roof racks, surfboards, and high-profile recreational vehicles.
Designated ADA Parking: Clearly marked accessible spaces situated near pedestrian curb ramps and building entrances.
Convenient Self-Parking: Pay-by-plate digital payment kiosks and mobile parking app payment options for quick and contactless transactions.
Night Illumination: Lot lighting providing evening visibility and secure pedestrian access to Kuakini Highway and downtown pathways.

Ideal For

Beachgoers & Excursion Participants: Perfect staging area for morning boat tours, harbor snorkeling excursions, and sunset catamaran cruises leaving Kailua Pier.
Sightseers & Shoppers: Centrally placed for travelers exploring Kailua Village shops, open-air markets, and waterfront restaurants without dealing with tight garage ramps.
Commercial & Professional Visitors: Dependable daily parking for clients visiting legal, medical, real estate, and financial offices within Ali\'i Plaza.
Event & Dining Patrons: Easy parking destination for dinner reservations and evening entertainment along Ali\'i Drive.

Visitor & Driver Tips

During peak visitor hours between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM—as well as on days when cruise ships anchor in Kailua Bay—parking spaces in central Kailua-Kona fill up rapidly. Arrive early in the morning or mid-afternoon to secure prime stalls close to pedestrian access pathways. When parking during hot Kona days, placing a sunshade across your vehicle windshield is highly advised given the open-air exposure. Always double-check posted tariff signage or mobile app confirmation details to ensure valid paid status before heading down toward the waterfront.