First of all, you should have a copy of The Big Island Revealed. It is the most detailed guidebook for the
The authors of the Big Island Revealed have a website with the latest updates.
See http://www.wizardpub.com/bigisland/bigresort.html
For the scoop on what’s happening in and around Kona, be sure to check out www.konaweb.com Big Dive Shop: Check out Jack’s Diving Locker, south end of Fun shopping and galleries: Stroll the length of In the “Old Industrial Area” on the north end of town, the International Marketplace has a lot of interesting and fun shops, galleries, produce store and ethnic lunch stands. Lots of great places to eat. Here are a few that we like: The Fish Hopper: Ambience, view, service, and—FISH! North end of Bubba Gump’s: Not just shrimp. Great fish & chips. Creative cocktails. Huggo’s: Excellent food; lunch is much more reasonably priced than dinner. Kona Inn: Nice atmosphere and view, decent food. Big Lulu’s: Party atmosphere, great view, good burgers, drinks. HOLUALOA: Drive up the slope on Hualalai Road (10-15 minutes from KAINALIU: Shopping: Several nice art galleries and upscale boutiques. We especially enjoy the Oshima’s—market, pharmacy and general store. Take a look around, you never know what you might find. Next door is their surf-wear store with lots of cool casual wear. A good place to get slippers (flip-flops). Restaurants: Roadhouse: Great sandwiches and lunch items. Teshima’s : Actually north of Kainaliu, at the junction where
Starting in Kailua Kona (about 25 minutes north of us) and heading southward:
KAILUA-KONA:
KEALAKEKUA:
Restaurants: The Korner Pocket: More than just a pool hall—good food, drinks, service. Live bands nightly. In the shopping area just makai of the post office
Ke’ei Café: north of Kealakekua, mauka side, excellent food and ambience, a bit pricey (nice sunset view if you sit by window).
CAPTAIN COOK: Restaurants: Manago Hotel: A local favorite, down-ho Senor Billy’s: Tasty, fresh and reasonably priced Mexican food. Mi’s: Highly acclaimed Italian food (not cheap). Next to yellow mini-mart, mauka side. Papparoni’s Pizza: On corner, makai side, across from police station. Good pizza and pasta. Coffee Shack (actually in Honaunau to the south a couple of miles): great breakfasts, lunches and coffee. Friendly geckos—try offering them so Kalama’s: On Nap’opo’o Rd. as you head down to
Napo’opo’o (
v Kayak/ snorkel at Capt. Cook Monu
This will be an unforgettable experience. We suggest renting kayaks from Kona Boy’s on the highway or from the “locals” at the bay. You can launch at the public launch area. (You might want to go right first, just to check out the gorgeous bay view and look for dolphins.) Do be respectful of the Hawaiian culture and of the wildlife. Absolutely no chasing of the dolphins!
v Swim/snorkel
v Kona Pacific Farmers’ Cooperative coffee tour: As you drive down Napo’opo’o you will see a large coffee processing plant on your right. Park on the left side to look around, take a tour or pick up so
v Lei stand at the plu
Honaunau:
v Pu’uhonua o Honaunau (Place of Refuge). This national park encompasses a historically significant sacred site at Honaunau. There are exhibits and special programs, a nice picnic area (recom
v Two-Step (Honaunau beach). Called “Two-Step” because you can step right off the lava shore into the bay for truly amazing snorkeling or diving. So
v Painted Church: (On Painted
POINTS SOUTH:
Further south, you may want to check out:
Ho’okena Beach: A local favorite; sandy beach with nice waves for boogie boarding.
South Point and ancient canoe moorings
Na’alehu Town and Punalu’u Bakery
Punalu’u
Puna District: Beautiful drives and coast—“Old Hawai’i” style.
Kapoho tides pools—you can swim in some of them!
Ahalanui hot pool: Past Pahoa, head east on Hwy 132, then south on 137 to
POINTS NORTH:
Waikoloa: Resort area. A nice beach, upscale shopping, fine dining such as
Kohala: Kawaihae, Hawi, and Kapa’a. Drive out to
OTHER
Hilo—beach parks, farmers’ market (big market days are Wed. & Sat.), shops, restaurants (the Seaside for seafood; Café 100 for local; Café Pesto for good food & ambience) ), botanical garden, Rainbow Falls, Akaka Falls
Laupahoehoe (site of historic tsunami)
Saddle Road—a pleasant drive (just don’t drive too fast) to
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