Big Island, Hawaii
Spent the holidays on the Big Island. Went out on United to Kona International Airport. The airport has upgraded their restaurant/bar. The offerings and ambiance is improved from the last time I was in town. If you're looking for a drink and a bite to eat, it is a nice distraction from this tiny airport.
Checked into the King's Land HGVC and spent a four days absorbing the locale. Since I've stayed many times, I won't reiterate the details. The unit I stayed in was the two bedroom unit in the "bigger" side of the King's Land buildings. On this particular trip, the Hilton Waikoloa Village was hosting a holiday crafts fair and I found very cute jewelry diffusers.
At the end of the trip, I switched to the Mauna Kea Hotel for a couple of nights and checked out Kauna'oa Bay. This is my first foray into the Marriott world with the Autograph Collection. I had debated between this location and the Westin and decided to stay at the Mauna Kea given that it is the oldest hotel on the island. Overall, I enjoyed my stay. The beach is the best on the island but it can get rough. I lost my sunglasses from one of the waves. It might be calmer in the Spring and Summer time. The facilities are nice but not over the top. The nail salon is not tied to the spa in the hotel. There is a lot of branded Mauna Kea Hotel merchandise in the general store and I did buy some water bottles. The food was delicious at the Manta Ray restaurant. The kampachi was delicious and they have a variety of souffles for dessert.
Activities
Took a day trip to Hilo and visited Big Island Candies. Did some damage to my wallet and stocked up on some favorite items.
Did a tour of the Mauna Kea Observatories. Very cool to see the sunset on top of the mountain. From my understanding, the Hawaiians consider the mountain sacred and that the influx of people visiting is damaging the environment such as invasive plants and fire ants are now in the top of the mountain. Apparently, this was spurred by the protestors when they opened up the observatories on the mountain. Ironic.... I was also hit with altitude sickness and didn't get to see much after the sunset. It gets really cold once the sun sets so be prepared. The tour group provided parkas but I already brought my snowboard jacket with me and was fine. I would recommend bringing gloves and beanies. They also provided lunch and brownies and cocoa from Island Lava Java. The brownies were a hit with the group. I don't remember the tour company name but only two are allowed.
Went to two farmer's markets. The Hilo Farmer's Market and the Pure Kona Green Market. I was actually trying to get some items from the Akaka Farms and they weren't in Hilo and found out they would be in South Kona. I'm actually glad to have missed them because I found the Pure Kona Market more interesting since the coffee growers go to this market and sell their coffee. Sometimes, it is really hard to find the Kona Coffee farms and this made it easy.
Waikoloa Petroglyph Preserves is an area inside Waikoloa protected from development. It is an easy hour long activity to see some petroglyphs. Follow the signs to the parking lot, the address is 250 Waikoloa Beach Drive, Waikoloa, HI 96738.
Dining
ile investment. My favorite is the papaya with lime and the coconut pound cake. You can also buy the pound cake if you are so inclined.
Island Gourmet Market - I was introduced to the concept of mochi malasadas. Best ever. I also tried their hot food to go and it is reasonably priced for the area. The Market is located inside the Queen's Marketplace in the Waikoloa area.
Starbucks - I normally don't drink coffee in the morning but my group did. I decided to try the holiday pastry, sugar plum Danish, and it was pretty good. I was pleasantly surprised.
Poke n Sides - while in Hilo, I made a pit stop at the farmer's market. Next to the farmer's market is a little building that had both shaved ice, burgers, and poke. Address is 57 Mamo Street, Hilo, 96720. Great combination!
Kula Organic Shave Ice - inside the same building as Poke N Sides but there is only an order window on the outside of the building, I enjoyed my coconut bomb. I think it is the best shaved ice on Big Island so far.
808 Grindz Café - small diner in Kona, great food, large portions, and good prices (especially for the area). I enjoyed my coconut pancakes and omelet.
One Aloha Shave Ice Company - Had to make a stop for shave ice on the Kona side of the island. Overall, the shave ice was ok. The texture was too pebbly and not fine enough. The syrup was good.
Roy's Waikoloa Bar & Grill - Interestingly, I did not realize that Roy Yamaguchi franchised his name and the Roy's on the mainland (except Pebble Beach) is owned by a restaurant group. The Roy's in Hawaii are still under Roy's supervision. There are slight differences in the menus but you do have to be aware that not all gift cards are good in Hawaii. I enjoyed sharing the Roy's Canoe Appetizer plate, pork belly appetizer, and poke.
Manta - Inside the Mauna Kea Hotel, it is the main restaurant for the hotel. I had the breakfast buffet and a dinner during my stay. The breakfast buffet was simple and extensive at the same time. They also procure their own honey on site. Dinner is pricey but I wanted to have soufflé for dessert. I ordered the ahi for entrée but really liked my companion's kampachi more. For soufflé, it came with three sauce options and I went for the chocolate passionfruit combination. Unfortunately, the seas were rough and no manta rays were sighted.
Fish & The Hog - Escaping the resort prices, traveled over to Waimea for some food. Shared the meat sampler plate and Mauna Kea Sunrise burger. Overall, tasty bbq and the burger was good. The lava flow had a banana note which made it taste like a boozy smoothie. I still liked it though.
Broke Da Mouth - Located at 74-5565 Luhia Street, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, had the mixed plate of short rib and garlic butter shrimp. The shrimp was really good. To take home, ordered two garlic chicken musubis. Gotta get my faves for home!
Checked into the King's Land HGVC and spent a four days absorbing the locale. Since I've stayed many times, I won't reiterate the details. The unit I stayed in was the two bedroom unit in the "bigger" side of the King's Land buildings. On this particular trip, the Hilton Waikoloa Village was hosting a holiday crafts fair and I found very cute jewelry diffusers.
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| King's Land 2 Bedroom Unit Living Room |
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| King's Land Master Bedroom |
At the end of the trip, I switched to the Mauna Kea Hotel for a couple of nights and checked out Kauna'oa Bay. This is my first foray into the Marriott world with the Autograph Collection. I had debated between this location and the Westin and decided to stay at the Mauna Kea given that it is the oldest hotel on the island. Overall, I enjoyed my stay. The beach is the best on the island but it can get rough. I lost my sunglasses from one of the waves. It might be calmer in the Spring and Summer time. The facilities are nice but not over the top. The nail salon is not tied to the spa in the hotel. There is a lot of branded Mauna Kea Hotel merchandise in the general store and I did buy some water bottles. The food was delicious at the Manta Ray restaurant. The kampachi was delicious and they have a variety of souffles for dessert.
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| Mauna Kea Hotel King Room |
Activities
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| Favorite shortbread cookies |
Took a day trip to Hilo and visited Big Island Candies. Did some damage to my wallet and stocked up on some favorite items.
 |
| Mauna Kea |
Did a tour of the Mauna Kea Observatories. Very cool to see the sunset on top of the mountain. From my understanding, the Hawaiians consider the mountain sacred and that the influx of people visiting is damaging the environment such as invasive plants and fire ants are now in the top of the mountain. Apparently, this was spurred by the protestors when they opened up the observatories on the mountain. Ironic.... I was also hit with altitude sickness and didn't get to see much after the sunset. It gets really cold once the sun sets so be prepared. The tour group provided parkas but I already brought my snowboard jacket with me and was fine. I would recommend bringing gloves and beanies. They also provided lunch and brownies and cocoa from Island Lava Java. The brownies were a hit with the group. I don't remember the tour company name but only two are allowed.
Went to two farmer's markets. The Hilo Farmer's Market and the Pure Kona Green Market. I was actually trying to get some items from the Akaka Farms and they weren't in Hilo and found out they would be in South Kona. I'm actually glad to have missed them because I found the Pure Kona Market more interesting since the coffee growers go to this market and sell their coffee. Sometimes, it is really hard to find the Kona Coffee farms and this made it easy.
Waikoloa Petroglyph Preserves is an area inside Waikoloa protected from development. It is an easy hour long activity to see some petroglyphs. Follow the signs to the parking lot, the address is 250 Waikoloa Beach Drive, Waikoloa, HI 96738.
Dining
ile investment. My favorite is the papaya with lime and the coconut pound cake. You can also buy the pound cake if you are so inclined.
 |
| Papaya and coconut pound cake at Kingsland |
Island Gourmet Market - I was introduced to the concept of mochi malasadas. Best ever. I also tried their hot food to go and it is reasonably priced for the area. The Market is located inside the Queen's Marketplace in the Waikoloa area.
Starbucks - I normally don't drink coffee in the morning but my group did. I decided to try the holiday pastry, sugar plum Danish, and it was pretty good. I was pleasantly surprised.
Poke n Sides - while in Hilo, I made a pit stop at the farmer's market. Next to the farmer's market is a little building that had both shaved ice, burgers, and poke. Address is 57 Mamo Street, Hilo, 96720. Great combination!
Kula Organic Shave Ice - inside the same building as Poke N Sides but there is only an order window on the outside of the building, I enjoyed my coconut bomb. I think it is the best shaved ice on Big Island so far.
808 Grindz Café - small diner in Kona, great food, large portions, and good prices (especially for the area). I enjoyed my coconut pancakes and omelet.
One Aloha Shave Ice Company - Had to make a stop for shave ice on the Kona side of the island. Overall, the shave ice was ok. The texture was too pebbly and not fine enough. The syrup was good.
Roy's Waikoloa Bar & Grill - Interestingly, I did not realize that Roy Yamaguchi franchised his name and the Roy's on the mainland (except Pebble Beach) is owned by a restaurant group. The Roy's in Hawaii are still under Roy's supervision. There are slight differences in the menus but you do have to be aware that not all gift cards are good in Hawaii. I enjoyed sharing the Roy's Canoe Appetizer plate, pork belly appetizer, and poke.
Manta - Inside the Mauna Kea Hotel, it is the main restaurant for the hotel. I had the breakfast buffet and a dinner during my stay. The breakfast buffet was simple and extensive at the same time. They also procure their own honey on site. Dinner is pricey but I wanted to have soufflé for dessert. I ordered the ahi for entrée but really liked my companion's kampachi more. For soufflé, it came with three sauce options and I went for the chocolate passionfruit combination. Unfortunately, the seas were rough and no manta rays were sighted.
 |
| Passion fruit and chocolate sauce vanilla soufflé at Manta |
Fish & The Hog - Escaping the resort prices, traveled over to Waimea for some food. Shared the meat sampler plate and Mauna Kea Sunrise burger. Overall, tasty bbq and the burger was good. The lava flow had a banana note which made it taste like a boozy smoothie. I still liked it though.
Broke Da Mouth - Located at 74-5565 Luhia Street, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, had the mixed plate of short rib and garlic butter shrimp. The shrimp was really good. To take home, ordered two garlic chicken musubis. Gotta get my faves for home!
 |
| Broke Da Mouth 2 meat combo plate (braised beef and garlic shrimp) |
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