Big Island and Oahu

 For this trip, it was a family vacation for someone who hasn't been to Hawaii in almost a decade. This year has been a trips for first timers or long enough to be considered a first timer. Hopped onto a Southwest flight due to a companion pass promotion and checked into the Kohala Suites by Hilton Grand Vacations Club. Picked up the rental car from Dollar Rental and ran around Big Island.

On the return flight home, spent the day in Honolulu with local friends before flying back to the mainland

Dining Kona

Broke Da Mouth Grindz - Picked up plate lunches from our favorite restaurant specifically the garlic furikake chicken.

Kuleana Rum Shack - A go to spot for rum drinks and light eats.

Kona Coffee & Tea - I like stopping at this coffee shop for the coffee jelly option. 

Kona Mountain Coffee - enjoyed coffee drinks.

Mrs. Barry's Kona Cookies - My favorite cookie bakery on this side of Big Island. My favorite is the wedding cookies.

Hawaiian Style Cafe - located at 65-1290 Kawaihae Rd, Waimea, HI 96743, ordered my favorite breakfast entrees like the haupia pancakes and loco moco.

Original Big Island Shave Ice Co - A very popular shave ice shop that can have long lines when the tourists come back from their activities.

Kai Eats + Drinks - For the last day in Big Island, we found a spot with free parking in Kona and good views. The food is average but the ambiance is very nice.

Umekes Fish Market & Grill - Popular poke and seafood restaurant in Kona.

White Nene Coffee Roasters - specialty coffee cart in Holualoa. They have local flavors that are appealing.

Punalu'u Bake Shop - Popular stop for sandwiches and snacks on the south side of the island. It will be the last time I can visit (2025) as the floods in 2026 destroyed the location.

Dining Waikiki

Kona Coffee Purveyors - picked up favorite pastries to take home.

Ululani's Shave Ice - One of my favorite shave ice amongst all the islands.

Restaurant 604 - great views average food.

Zippy's - My friend loves their chili so I stopped to pick up a pound to bring back.

Big Island Cookies - picked up cookies for friends and family to bring back.

Activities

Ka'u Coffee Mill - trying out Big Island coffee outside of the Kona district.

Hawaii Volcanoes Park - we tried to have a short walk on the south side entrance but the rains pushed that idea down.'

Miranda's Farms - One of the coffee farms visited, we ended up trying pastries from the coffee shop and they had the best ube brownies I have ever had.


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