We arrived in Kona about mid-day on Saturday. After spending a week on the Garden Isle of Kauai this landscape was quite the contrast. While we could see beaches and blue water, most of the land was brown or black and desolate. They get very little rain here so it is not lush like the East Side or Kauai. Still the landscape is spectacular.
We checked in to Kona by the Sea, which is more like a hotel than private residence but is nice and has its own private beach area (small but not crowded).
Got groceries, had shave ice, and then watched the sunset. Hawaiian Ice Cones here in Kona is great! This place chills the syrup which makes for a very cool treat!
For dinner we ate at Kona Brewing Company. The pizza was good. The location is way off the main road but that was ok. 
Alii drive where we are staying is the equivalent of the Vegas strip with lots of hotel/resorts, touristy stores, and any activity you would like to book. Very busy on the weekends!