I've prefered the moda bella solids I've used to kona -- but I use both. Kona I have sometimes had issues with bleeding (a recent Pacific blue was a bleeder) and I find it to be a coarser weave. Even so, I have access to a wider range of colors for better prices with Kona than Moda, so I buy what I want and don't stress it.
I agree... I don't like the feel of Kona as well as Bella. Since I use it for background most of the time I buy Bella as I'm not needing to match colors.