March, 2025 - Horizon Guest House

Located on Highway 11 just south of Captain Cook is The Coffee Shack. This popular local restaurant is perched on the side of the highway with stunning westward views of Kealakekua Bay and the ocean. It makes for the perfect coffee stop on your scenic journey south.

The Coffee Shack grow their own coffee on the land below the restaurant so it makes for a great place to try Kona coffee while looking over the Kona Coast.

The menu

The Coffee Shack is a family-owned restaurant, serving 100% Kona coffee, homemade pastries, and everything from a full breakfast to a light lunch (including sandwiches, pizza and salads), not to mention their famous pies!

What we ordered

Chocolate cream pie ($7.50) – A decadent slice of perfection!

Cinnamon Roll with cream cheese frosting ($6.50) – a huge cinnamon roll with freshly-made dough, delicious!

The Coffee Shack has a waitlist system for securing a table. When you arrive they’ll add you to the list and then text you when your table is ready. We were told we would have to wait 10-15 minutes but it was only about 5 minutes. There is also an option to call ahead to get on their waitlist.

If you can secure a window table the views are spectacular looking west towards Kealakekua Bay and the horizon.

(Above) Looking down toward Manini Beach in Kealakekua Bay.

The Coffee Shack is the perfect stop on a day trip south from Kona. Parking can be tricky as it gets busy quickly so we recommend getting there for an early coffee, or for breakfast as the sun rises.

The Coffee Shack

83-5799 Mamalahoa Hwy, Honaunau-Napo’opo’o, HI 96704

Ph. 808 328 9555

Hours: Thurs – Tues, 7am – 3:30pm, Closed Wednesday

https://www.coffeeshack.com

Manini Beach Park is situated opposite the Captain Cook Monument in Kealakekua Bay. The beach itself is mostly rocky but there is a sandy strip between the rocks that provides an easy point of entry into the ocean. Snorkeling is easy and accessible.

Though small, the beach park has plenty of shade and a nice grassed area on which to relax and enjoy a picnic.

The red arrow shows the space between two rocky areas where a strip of sand provides easy access.

Kayakers in the bay. It is possible to launch a kayak out of Manini Beach Park.

Who manages Manini Beach Park?

Also known as Kapahukapu, Manini Beach is under the stewardship of The Healy Foundation. Kamehameha Schools owns the land and the foundation has leased the land, taking care of the park, providing maintenance, a community garden, and bathroom facilities. Find out more here.

Above is the entry point to the beach park, parking is to the left of this entryway.

Parking is limited and the beach park itself has a limit of 50 people in the park at any one time. The park is privately owned but open to the public. Take care to park in the allocated zones and not to block access to nearby homes. The park is open from 6am to 8pm daily.

How to get there

From North Kona

Traveling on Highway 11, turn onto Napo’opo’o Road (Hwy 160) just south of the 111-mile marker. In about 3 miles (5k), turn right to stay on Napo’opo’o Road, continuing 1.7 miles (2.7k) to Kealakekua Bay. Turn left onto Pu’uhonua Road (still Hwy 160). Just a few hundred yards south of the Kealakekua Bay boat launch, turn right onto Manini Road.

From South Kona

Traveling on Highway 11, turn on to Middle Keei Road and follow it down until it joins Napo’opo’o Road, turn left and stay on Napo’opo’o Road, continuing 1.7 miles (2.7k) to Kealakekua Bay. Turn left onto Pu’uhonua Road (still Hwy 160). Just a few hundred yards south of the Kealakekua Bay boat launch, turn right onto Manini Road.

Manini Beach Park

Manini Beach Rd, Captain Cook, HI, 96704

Hours: Mon – Sun, 6am – 8pm

Restaurant review: The Coffee Shack