About this Location

Facility Overview

Diamond Parking Kona Market Place is a central, open-air surface parking facility strategically situated in the vibrant heart of historic Kailua Village on the Big Island of Hawaii. Positioned directly at Kona Market Place along the bustling Ali‘i Drive corridor, this parking area offers immediate access to the town’s primary retail, oceanfront dining, and cultural promenade. Because the facility is an outdoor surface lot without overhead barriers or low ceilings, it provides unobstructed vertical clearance. This makes it an outstanding choice for all vehicle types common to Hawaii visitors and locals alike, including standard rental sedans, compact crossovers, lifted 4x4 Jeeps, full-size pickup trucks, and passenger vans equipped with roof racks or surfboards.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Nestled right off Kailua Bay, parking at this facility places visitors steps away from Kona’s most celebrated historic landmarks, ocean activities, and dining hotspots:

Kona Market Place: Directly adjacent, offering boutique island apparel, local artisan crafts, coffee shops, and casual island dining.
Hulihe‘e Palace: Located just a 2-minute stroll (less than 400 feet) away, this historic royal residence and museum overlooks the bay.
Mokuaikaua Church: Hawaii’s oldest Christian church, founded in 1820, is situated immediately across Ali‘i Drive (a 1 to 2-minute walk).
Kailua Pier: Approximately a 5-minute walk (0.2 miles) north, serving as the departure hub for boat tours, snorkeling cruises, sportfishing charters, and the official start/finish transition zone of the world-famous IRONMAN World Championship.
Kona Inn Shopping Village: A 3-minute walk south along Ali‘i Drive, renowned for scenic waterfront cocktails, boardwalk strolls, and historic retail shops.
Ahu‘ena Heiau & Kamakahonu Beach: About a 6-minute walk north, adjacent to King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Resort, offering calm swimming waters and traditional cultural grounds.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

The lot is easily accessed via Ali‘i Drive, the main coastal arterial winding through Kailua-Kona, with straightforward connections from Palani Road and Kuakini Highway (Hawaii Route 11). Drivers navigating from Kona International Airport (KOA) can take Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway (Route 19) south directly toward Palani Road before turning onto Ali‘i Drive. Pedestrian flow is effortless, as the parking facility opens directly toward the pedestrianized sidewalks of the Kona Market Place courtyard. Public transportation riders will find stops for the countywide Hele-On Bus transit service along Kuakini Highway and Palani Road within short walking distance, making it convenient to connect to outlying island destinations.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Open-Air Surface Parking: Generous headroom with zero height restriction, accommodating high-profile SUVs, vans, and vehicles with rooftop sports gear.
Convenient Self-Pay Options: Automated on-site pay stations accepting major credit cards and mobile pay-by-phone solutions for fast contactless payments.
Well-Lit & Maintained: Equipped with perimeter lighting for comfortable evening strolls back to your vehicle after waterfront dinners.
Designated Accessible Spaces: Clearly marked ADA parking stalls positioned close to storefront ramps and pedestrian walkways.
Prime Oceanfront Proximity: Eliminates the stress of searching for elusive parallel street parking along congested Ali‘i Drive.

Ideal For

Waterfront Diners & Shoppers: Perfect for guests visiting nearby restaurants, seaside pubs, and unique souvenir boutiques throughout Kailua Village.
Excursion & Charter Guests: Convenient day parking for tourists departing on morning snorkel charters, manta ray night dives, or fishing excursions from Kailua Pier.
Cultural & Heritage Visitors: Ideal for travelers touring Hulihe‘e Palace, Mokuaikaua Church, and surrounding historical sites.
Event & Race Spectators: Highly advantageous during seasonal parades, holiday celebrations, and major athletic competitions centered around Kailua Bay.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Ali‘i Drive experiences heavy pedestrian traffic and slower vehicle movement during peak hours, particularly around lunch, sunset, and weekend evenings. Arrive early to secure convenient stalls during prime dining hours. Always note your vehicle license plate number before walking up to the automated pay machine or opening your mobile payment app, as parking stalls are enforced by plate recognition or timed dashboard receipts. If you plan to embark on a multi-hour boat trip out of Kailua Pier, ensure you purchase sufficient prepaid time on your ticket to avoid overtime citation notices.