Kauna'oa Beach (Mauna Kea Beach), located directly in front of the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, is absolutely gorgeous and considered by all to be one of the best on the island. Laurance S. Rockefeller chose to build the landmark resort here primarily because of beautiful... Mauna Kea Beach and he famously said "Every great beach deserves a great hotel." In 2000, Mauna Kea Beach was also honored as America's Best Beach on Dr. Beach's (Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman) annual top listings. Life is indeed good on the Kohala Coast.