Big Island

For the holidays, I opted to spend a week on the Big Island. I haven't spent this much time on one island in a very long time. Hopped on United Airlines for this trip and was able to get a substantial voucher for downgrading myself from business to economy on the return leg. I had an opportunity for a voucher on the outbound flight but my companion didn't want to be left behind.

With the new COVID rules in place and the islands having implemented the protocols for awhile, I felt that they were much more prepared to zip people through. Because of staffing shortages, United wasn't able to pre-check the COVID tests/vaccination status at point of departure. I was able to grab the rental car quickly after landing in Kona Airport. With staffing shortages, most of the rental companies have consolidated and lots are operating multiple brands at the same time. Budget was operating both Avis and Budget reservations.

Lodging

Hilton Waikoloa Village - originally, I was going to stay the week at the timeshare but the group's timing changed. It no longer made sense to stay in the timeshare, so I opted to book end the timeshare stay with a few nights at the hotel side. One thing I learned from the stay is that the food and beverage credit is limited to a daily max. Don't assume that you can pile the credit into one meal, you actually have to spend the credit on a daily basis. I'm already not a fan of the food and beverage credit in lieu of Diamond breakfast and lounge and this policy made it even less appealing.

Hilton Waikoloa Village King Room

Kohala Suites - With the group I was traveling with, I moved over from Hilton to take advantage of the two bedroom suite layout. The full kitchen is also nice to have and the lanai was nice. I don't mind being on the ground floor as you can walk out to the greenery and sometimes you get a cat visitor.

Kohala Suites Lanai

Kohala Suites Two Bedroom Suite King Bedroom

Kohala Suites Two Bedroom Suite Twin Bedroom

Dining

Kuleana Rum and Shack - Unbeknownst to me, this restaurant is part of the Hilton restaurant discounts so make sure if you're staying in the local hotel you let them know! I did enjoy the rum flight, the food was ok. Malasadas were tasty but more doughnut like than malasada. If you don't buy the rum from the restaurant, Foodlands up the way had it as well for a little cheaper (I think).

Kuleana Rum & Shack Tasting Flight

Broke Da Mouth Grindz - Ordered a party tray of garlic chicken for the week. Since we had a small group, the tray worked out.

Broke Da Mouth Grindz Garlic Chicken

Hawaiian Style Cafe - Revisited a favorite restaurant that had been closed for most of the pandemic. The Waimea location has been refreshed and still serving the same great food as before.

Hawaiian Style Cafe

Punalu'u Bakeshop Visitor Center - After visiting the South Point, I wanted to check out the malasadas at Punalu'u Bakeshop. If you don't know, the bakeshop is like a Weber's for the islands. They sell breads and cookies throughout the state and is a popular brand in the supermarkets. I was curious what the visitor center would be like. The center is large and a great stopping point if you are hungy. Sandwiches, treats, and drinks are available. I picked up some malasadas (stuffed and plain) as well as a rum cake. The malasadas are good and definitely something to get. The rum cake is ok but would not get it again. There is also a small butcher attached in the facility and I recommend getting some meats if you can.

Punalu'u Bakeshop Malasadas

Umekes Fish Market & Grill - Popular restaurant in town, the group enjoyed their dishes ranging from poke to cooked fish.

Umekes Poke

Umekies Katsu

Original Big Island Shave Ice Co - After the third attempt, we were finally able to get shaved ice without waiting an hour. Usually it isn't that busy but I think the holidays drove alot of tourists into the Waikoloa area and really, this is the only shaved ice for miles.

OBISI Shave Ice

Island Lava Java - Ate in Kona before dropping off folks at the airport. Overall, it is a nice tourist restaurant. Food was good, slightly on the pricey side, great views of the ocean and quick service. Parking is a bit of a bear in the area so plan ahead.

Island Lava Java Balcony View

Mr. Ed's Bakery - I don't often go travelling the northern route on Big Island from Waikoloa to Hilo. I forget that there are little towns along the coast and decided on this trip to forgo the fast route and take the leisurely route to Hilo. So I was able to stop at this little town and visit the local bakery/jam shop. I liked that they had tropical flavors like lychee jelly. The bakery items were ok. The street corner feels very authentically from the Japanese/sugar plantation era when sugar production boomed in Big Island.

Mr. Ed's Bakery

Mrs. Barry's Kona Cookies - The most dangerous cookie shop on the Kona side! Totally addicting. I tried the hawaiian wedding cookies this time around and am hooked.

Queen K 76 - Located on 74-5035 Queen Kaahumanu Hwy, Kailua Kona, HI 96740, this gas station's deli is a local favorite. Not too often do I see a salad bar and self serve deli counter but I'm not surprised in Hawaii. They sell by the piece or the pound and you can load up on fried garlic chicken, soba, and salad. It's not gourmet but if you are on the road, it's great for a lunch stop.

Kona Mountain Coffee - Great place to have coffee or buy beans to take home. I wanted to try their coffee jelly so I ordered an iced coffee with coffee jelly. The coffee is potent so if you are looking for milder caffeine intake, don't load up here. I also picked up a Baumkuchen cake that was made locally, I was surprised to see that there was a local bakery making this kind of cake - https://baumkuchenfarm.com/. 

Gypsea Gelato - There are two locations and the south Kona location serves pastries from a ghost kitchen next door, Kona Sweets Bakery. The best cannolis I have had and tasty cheesecake. The bakery only does custom orders but the owner will make some single serving pastries for the gelato shop to sell.

Big Island Grill - Located on 75-5702 Kuakini Highway, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740-1717, the diner reminds me of an independent Denny's local style. Overall, it is a nice low key restaurant with homestyle food.

Activities

49s Black Sand Beach - my favorite swimming spot near Waikoloa with some good snorkeling. The snorkeling is always a little hit and miss sometimes but still nice to be at first thing in the morning.

Hawaii Tropical Bioreserve and Garden - very interesting garden with a treehouse like walkway path. If you get to the end, you'll see the ocean. It was very clear the founders of this garden wanted to make this area appealing. Highly recommend.

Hawaii Tropical Bioreserve and Garden

South Point or Ka Lae - Key West claims the southern point for the US mainland but Hawaii can claim being the most southern point of the country with Ka Lae being the end. South Point ends with a cliff that many tourists have come to jump off and swim in the waters. There is an old steel ladder and a jump point for those interested in doing so. If you are trying to find how to get to it, you drive past the Big Island Farm Sanctuary to get to South Point.

Big Island Candies - small shopping trip this time around as I'm still loaded from prior trips. I did enjoy their seasonal pie, pumpkin, on this trip. You can only buy whole pies but they seem to be starting a pie series. I still have to try their apple pie which is sitting in my freezer.

Waimea Farmers Market - there are two farmer's markets in Waimea but I opt for the Town Market because of Akaka Falls jams.

Paradise Meadows Orchard and Bee Farm - If you have seen the Hawaii Local Buzz mac nuts in stores, this is their farm. On way to the South Point, this farm offers chocolates, honeys, and macadamia nuts. There is also a small art gallery. I found the farm very homey and it was nice to watch the flock of geese go by.

Paradise Meadows Bird Enclosure

Hilo's Farmers Market - With the holidays, the market was not as busy as I've seen before. I was able to pick up some vegetables for dinner.

Big Island Bees - I've always bought jars of honey from Costco from this vendor. On this trip, I decided to find the farm and check their offerings. I came at a good time and the storekeeper was willing to give me an impromptu honey tasting which led me to buying even more honey. Overall, I found the flavors really nice. If you can't make it to the farm, the local Foodlands near Waikoloa does sell the large jars of their honey and sometimes cheaper than the farm (large jars only).