Big Island, Hawaii

A real vacation on the Big Island! Flew out on United Airlines into Kona for a seven day adventure. Checked into the Hilton Grand Vacation Club King's Land after grabbing the rental from Budget. We were given a Chevrolet Terrain after the agent couldn't find the compact SUV originally booked. I guess someone needed the car more. It was a nice choice even though I am still anti-GM. Good fuel economy and pretty gutless. I guess you can't have good fuel economy and a super engine. Before getting into the hotel, did a stock up trip to Costco for the basics. Since the rooms are condo like, breakfast essentials and basic dinner staples were needed for meals. The poke in Costco is not cheap and you can find cheaper at Foodland.
King's Land Living Room Suite

Welcome

King's Land Master Bedroom

King's Land Kitchen (fancy stove)

After settling in the hotel, relaxed and started to plan out the week's activities. Enjoyed a quick breakfast of Portuguese sausage and rice. The buffet also had some tasty biscuits that I stole back to my room. The next day, went out to the coffee farms in Kona. Visited Sugai, Heavenly, and Kona Earth. Nice folks all around. I was surprised to see greater numbers of mainlanders in the area. Seems like people who wanted to semi retire and be farmers. Spent the afternoon at the hotel having a light dinner. Went out shopping at King's Shops and had dessert at The Three Fat Pigs. The restaurant is heavily featured due to the chef being on the Food Network reality shows but I found the adult s'mores lacking.

The next day, took a trip to the southern part of the island and visited a green sands beach. I've never heard of green sand and wanted to check it out. Papakolea green sand beach in Mahana Bay is also the most southern point of the U.S. The area is incredibly windy. Combined with the very fine sand, lounging on the actual beach is painful. It is better to hang out in the water. Waters were relatively calm. By far, the best beach I've been on Big Island. There are locals that wait in the makeshift parking lot if you don't want to make the three mile trek. After spending the day walking and swimming, it was nice to hop on the back of a truck and get driven back to the car. It also gives you an elevated view of the area since the trucks are taller than the grass. 
The "shuttle" at Green Sand Beach

Papakolea Beach



On the way back, stopped off at Scandinavian Shave Ice to try shave ice on Big Island. It was ok but nothing I would make a future stop. There was a nice chap at Metal Mike's Twisted Pretzel around the corner from the ice shop and got a hot dog pretzel that was yummy. Returned back to the hotel to enjoy another homemade dinner of kalbi pork and furikake rice.

The next day, took a day trip to Hilo. Went to Hawaiian Style Cafe and enjoyed my coconut pancakes. It was huge and not for the faint of heart. Continued on the northern route and stopped at a couple of beach parks along the way. It was interesting to see all the various beach parks along this rocky shore. There are some black sand beaches but I am not a fan. Black sand is a misnomer since it is more like black pebbles and not particularly comfortable to walk on.

Arrived into Hilo and visited Big Island Candies. Got my usual assortment of cookies and goodies before heading out. My friend wanted rainbow bread but the bakery that makes them were closed. I tried visiting Two Ladies Kitchen 811 Laukapu St, Ste 6, Hilo, HI 96720 and Punahele Bakke Shop on 811 Laukapu St, Ste 6, Hilo, HI 96720 but did not find rainbow bread. Two Ladies makes mochi and they had this chocolate strawberry wrapped in mochi. I tried a free sample and it was ok. The Bakke shop was mostly out of items except Portuguese milk bread. The milk bread was tasty. 

The next day, took a day trip to Oahu to visit a friend. Grabbed a quick lunch at Spicy Ahi & BBQ at 98-1254 Kaahumanu St, Ste A-13, Pearl City, HI 96782. Went to Ka'Olina to check out the man made beach. It was pretty windy and the clouds made it hard to enjoy the beach. We were able to meet a nice couple on vacation and enjoyed a friendly chat. Afterwards, made a pit stop at Baldwin's Shaved Ice and Snack Shop on 98-040 Kamehameha Hwy, Ste 10, Aiea, HI 96701. I was hoping to get a decent shave ice but it was not to be had. They do have some tasty snacks and the garlic chips were good. I'm not sure why it was a product of Vietnam instead of local. Had dinner with friends before heading back to Kona.

The next day was spent lounging at the pool of the Hilton Waikoloa Village. Spent most of the day here and enjoyed ice cream from Shaka Cones. Grabbed dinner at Umeke's and paid the price the next day. It appears the poke was spoiled somehow and on the last day of the trip, I had to book a room at the Hilton to rest inside. It was not the intended itinerary for my last day. Enjoyed a burger at the pool bar restaurant and checked out that night to head home. Not the ideal way to use my points but worth it.









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