KJ’s Big Island Guidebook
Restaurants
Some of my favorite places to eat!
This is the closest restaurant to our house. You can even walk up there for coffee in the morning, but be very careful walking along the narrow mountain Road. This restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, it’s adorable! I highly recommend the experience :-) check the website for current days and hours open, I believe they are closed certain days of the week.
Holualoa Garden & Kitchen
This is the closest restaurant to our house. You can even walk up there for coffee in the morning, but be very careful walking along the narrow mountain Road. This restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, it’s adorable! I highly recommend the experience :-) check the website for current days and hours open, I believe they are closed certain days of the week.
Only 10 minutes from the house, right on the water, one of my favorite spots for sunset cocktails and dinner.  The cheeseburger and fries is out of this world, and try the “ulu” breadfruit wedges they have on the appetizer menu. They are seasonal, but when they have them, they are delicious.
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Magics Beach Grill
77-6452 Ali‘i DrOnly 10 minutes from the house, right on the water, one of my favorite spots for sunset cocktails and dinner.  The cheeseburger and fries is out of this world, and try the “ulu” breadfruit wedges they have on the appetizer menu. They are seasonal, but when they have them, they are delicious.
Delicious food, nice atmosphere, wine, beer and perfect for a date night! Make a reservation online because they get busy.
42 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Keei Cafe
79-7511 Hawaiʻi Belt RdDelicious food, nice atmosphere, wine, beer and perfect for a date night! Make a reservation online because they get busy.
In Kona and Waikoloa: Yummy food and ocean view! I love their hush puppies, fish tacos and the stuffed Chicken. Everything is great, inclining the craft cocktails and friendly servers and bartenders. It can be busy so major a reservation if you can. There is a courtyard with volleyball court right outside where you can watch people play while you wait.
100 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Foster's Kitchen
75-5805 Ali‘i DrIn Kona and Waikoloa: Yummy food and ocean view! I love their hush puppies, fish tacos and the stuffed Chicken. Everything is great, inclining the craft cocktails and friendly servers and bartenders. It can be busy so major a reservation if you can. There is a courtyard with volleyball court right outside where you can watch people play while you wait.
This is in Hilo! I know they are only doing takeout because of the pandemic, but it’s SO worth it! Best Thai food on the island. I get the pumpkin curry, the spicy tuna rolls and the Broccoli Shrimp Avocado salad.
26 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Tina's Garden Cafe
168 Kamehameha AveThis is in Hilo! I know they are only doing takeout because of the pandemic, but it’s SO worth it! Best Thai food on the island. I get the pumpkin curry, the spicy tuna rolls and the Broccoli Shrimp Avocado salad.
This is my favorite Thai place to go eat! It’s in a great central location, quaint atmosphere in a corner unit at the King Kam Shopping center. The food is delicious and less expensive than any of the other Thai places. They also have the best beer and wine selection of all the Thai restaurants.
Kiri Thai
This is my favorite Thai place to go eat! It’s in a great central location, quaint atmosphere in a corner unit at the King Kam Shopping center. The food is delicious and less expensive than any of the other Thai places. They also have the best beer and wine selection of all the Thai restaurants.
Shaka Tacoz
BEST tacos on the island! A small food truck in Captain Cook.
In Kona. Yummy fresh food, great happy hour, and a great ocean view for sunset! This place has the best Mai Tai's made with fresh squeezed juices. I recommend Lava Java for a killer Breakfast, and they are also open for lunch and dinner!!
163 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Island Lava Java
75-5801 Ali‘i DrIn Kona. Yummy fresh food, great happy hour, and a great ocean view for sunset! This place has the best Mai Tai's made with fresh squeezed juices. I recommend Lava Java for a killer Breakfast, and they are also open for lunch and dinner!!
In Waikoloa: Nice atmosphere! Drinks and Pineapple fried rice on the beach, live music nightly (I play there sometimes) and friendly staff!
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Lava Lava Beach Club
69-1081 Ku'uali'i PlIn Waikoloa: Nice atmosphere! Drinks and Pineapple fried rice on the beach, live music nightly (I play there sometimes) and friendly staff!
This is a small cafe attached to a gym but it is SO delicious with great quality food & great prices! I love going here after the gym for breakfast or lunch.. the pork tacos, fish tacos, avocado toast, and protein bowls are my favorite! They are open until 3pm and closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
Roasted toasted Café
75-5699 Kopiko StreetThis is a small cafe attached to a gym but it is SO delicious with great quality food & great prices! I love going here after the gym for breakfast or lunch.. the pork tacos, fish tacos, avocado toast, and protein bowls are my favorite! They are open until 3pm and closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
Nice place for a date! Great cocktails, beer, wine, and delicious food! A little pricey but feels classy and nice.
127 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill Kona
75-5995 Kuakini HwyNice place for a date! Great cocktails, beer, wine, and delicious food! A little pricey but feels classy and nice.
Right in Kona.. Basically, just fried or grilled chicken. Delicious, priced low for Kona, Beer, wine and cocktails, and live music on the weekends. (I play there a couple sundays per month!) They make all their own sauces too.. I’m obsessed with their honey mustard.
20 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Willie's Hot Chicken
74-5599 Pawai PlRight in Kona.. Basically, just fried or grilled chicken. Delicious, priced low for Kona, Beer, wine and cocktails, and live music on the weekends. (I play there a couple sundays per month!) They make all their own sauces too.. I’m obsessed with their honey mustard.
In Kona: Indian food in a nice location! Delicious food, and they have vegan options as well.
23 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Kamana Kitchen
75-5770 Ali‘i DrIn Kona: Indian food in a nice location! Delicious food, and they have vegan options as well.
In Kona: Live music nightly, great food and craft cocktails, and best of all, its right on the water! They have a great view for enjoying breakfast or catching the sunset. The fish or crab cake Benedict is my go-to for breakfast and they have Island-American-style pub food for dinner.
106 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Papa Kona Restaurant & Bar
75-5770 Ali‘i DrIn Kona: Live music nightly, great food and craft cocktails, and best of all, its right on the water! They have a great view for enjoying breakfast or catching the sunset. The fish or crab cake Benedict is my go-to for breakfast and they have Island-American-style pub food for dinner.
In Waimea: Coffee, sandwiches, cakes/pastries.. I love this little cafe whenever I make it up to Waimea!
46 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Waimea Coffee Company
65-1279 Kawaihae RdIn Waimea: Coffee, sandwiches, cakes/pastries.. I love this little cafe whenever I make it up to Waimea!
Coffee shop with amazing vegan and GF baked goods, smoothies, breakfast sandwiches and grab-and-go items.
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Kaya's Kawanui Inc
79-7300 Hawaiʻi Belt RdCoffee shop with amazing vegan and GF baked goods, smoothies, breakfast sandwiches and grab-and-go items.
The ONLY cafe in Holualoa, less than a mile from our house. The DOUGHNUTS are OUT OF THIS WORLD!!!!! You can walk but be careful on the narrow, windy mountain road!
Uncle Kimo’s Coffee Shop
The ONLY cafe in Holualoa, less than a mile from our house. The DOUGHNUTS are OUT OF THIS WORLD!!!!! You can walk but be careful on the narrow, windy mountain road!
Fish Hopper Kona
Delicious food right across from the pier in Kona.
Healthy, delicious cafe! The burrito is fantastic with chicken or jackfruit, the salad, bento box, and tacos are all great too! They have huge acai bowls, juices, and kombucha. This is in a shopping center, good to order and bring to the beach!
26 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Loko Wraps
82-6066 Mamalahoa HwyHealthy, delicious cafe! The burrito is fantastic with chicken or jackfruit, the salad, bento box, and tacos are all great too! They have huge acai bowls, juices, and kombucha. This is in a shopping center, good to order and bring to the beach!
In Kona: I love their coffee drinks, cocktails and they have donuts and pastries. It’s trendy and a little pricey, but I go at least once a week. Try the Crab Musubi. A lot of Kona hipsters sit on their laptops and congregate here.
18 (рекомендации местных жителей)
HiCO - Hawaiian Coffee
74-5599 Pawai PlIn Kona: I love their coffee drinks, cocktails and they have donuts and pastries. It’s trendy and a little pricey, but I go at least once a week. Try the Crab Musubi. A lot of Kona hipsters sit on their laptops and congregate here.
If you’re heading out to see the volcano, this is a great place to eat! Make a reservation.
7 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Volcano Village Lodge
19-4183 Kawailehua RdIf you’re heading out to see the volcano, this is a great place to eat! Make a reservation.
I love to go here for the Journey Salad. It's a healthy cafe tucked in the center of a plaza walkway, with great vegan ice cream, baked goods, and yummy vegan food. The only thing is sometimes the food takes a while! Don't go if you're in a hurry. They only have food, ice cream and iced tea, no alcohol!
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Journey to Good Health Cafe LLC
75-5729 Ali‘i DrI love to go here for the Journey Salad. It's a healthy cafe tucked in the center of a plaza walkway, with great vegan ice cream, baked goods, and yummy vegan food. The only thing is sometimes the food takes a while! Don't go if you're in a hurry. They only have food, ice cream and iced tea, no alcohol!
Basic breakfast with a beautiful view and yummy pies! They also have mimosas ;)
137 (рекомендации местных жителей)
The Coffee Shack
83-5799 Mamalahoa HwyBasic breakfast with a beautiful view and yummy pies! They also have mimosas ;)
Parks & Nature
In Kona: My favorite place for a quick dip, just 10 minutes down the hill! This is the only sandy beach in town to swim, and there’s a restaurant at the beach called “Magic’s Grill”. Their food is hit-or-miss, but the location is amazing!! I always get the Hana-Hou cocktail, kind of like a spicy margarita. Their Ulu fries are amazing!! “ Ulu”is Breadfruit.. a local fruit that looks like a green, round football with bumpy texture. The inside is starchy like a potato with the sweet taste of bread & honey. Must try!!
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Magic Sands Beach Park
Ali'i DriveIn Kona: My favorite place for a quick dip, just 10 minutes down the hill! This is the only sandy beach in town to swim, and there’s a restaurant at the beach called “Magic’s Grill”. Their food is hit-or-miss, but the location is amazing!! I always get the Hana-Hou cocktail, kind of like a spicy margarita. Their Ulu fries are amazing!! “ Ulu”is Breadfruit.. a local fruit that looks like a green, round football with bumpy texture. The inside is starchy like a potato with the sweet taste of bread & honey. Must try!!
Take a walk through this beautiful meadow full of fruit trees, tropical flowers, fountains, gazebos and trellises. Great spot for photos and free coffee samples at the bottom. The hike down and back can make you break a sweat, but the stunning views are worth it!!
7 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Mauka Meadows Coffee Farm
75-5476 Mamalahoa HwyTake a walk through this beautiful meadow full of fruit trees, tropical flowers, fountains, gazebos and trellises. Great spot for photos and free coffee samples at the bottom. The hike down and back can make you break a sweat, but the stunning views are worth it!!
This is one of my favorite hikes, just a 25 minute drive south. You park at the top of Napo’opo’o road (you’ll see other cars lined up) and the train begins on the right side as you walk down the road, close to the top. The trail is well-traveled, I recommend wearing comfortable sneakers and bring snorkel-gear, towel, water and snacks. It takes about an hour each way and the hike back up is a bit of a workout. I recommend going in the morning for the best snorkeling, and if you go in the middle of the day, make sure to have a hat and sunscreen! Even if you don’t go in the water, it’s a beautiful place to explore.
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Captain Cook Monument Trail
Napoopoo RoadThis is one of my favorite hikes, just a 25 minute drive south. You park at the top of Napo’opo’o road (you’ll see other cars lined up) and the train begins on the right side as you walk down the road, close to the top. The trail is well-traveled, I recommend wearing comfortable sneakers and bring snorkel-gear, towel, water and snacks. It takes about an hour each way and the hike back up is a bit of a workout. I recommend going in the morning for the best snorkeling, and if you go in the middle of the day, make sure to have a hat and sunscreen! Even if you don’t go in the water, it’s a beautiful place to explore.
A short hike will bring you down into this beautiful valley! Some people walk down in flip-flops, but I recommend some good sneakers. Enjoy a picnic down there, explore and take lots of photos! Swimming is not recommended because of the waves and rocks. I recommend going in the morning when the wind is not as strong. If you like hiking, you can keep walking across the valley and hike up and over to the next valley! There’s a bench at the top of the second valley, great photo-opportunity. And if you keep going, it becomes an advanced hike where you need to hold onto ropes and trees to climb down and back up some steep slopes.
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Pololu Valley
A short hike will bring you down into this beautiful valley! Some people walk down in flip-flops, but I recommend some good sneakers. Enjoy a picnic down there, explore and take lots of photos! Swimming is not recommended because of the waves and rocks. I recommend going in the morning when the wind is not as strong. If you like hiking, you can keep walking across the valley and hike up and over to the next valley! There’s a bench at the top of the second valley, great photo-opportunity. And if you keep going, it becomes an advanced hike where you need to hold onto ropes and trees to climb down and back up some steep slopes.
Drinks & Nightlife
Nothing fancy, but its on the water and has live music and hula dancing nightly! They have a great Big Island Beef burger and fries, as well as healthier salads and fish tacos.
149 (рекомендации местных жителей)
On the Rocks
75-5824 Kahakai RdNothing fancy, but its on the water and has live music and hula dancing nightly! They have a great Big Island Beef burger and fries, as well as healthier salads and fish tacos.
Thursday night for Latin night! It’s so fun, there is a live band and everyone dances salsa and other types of Latin music. I recommend making reservations on Yelp if you can, sometimes it gets busy and they don’t let anyone in unless they are seated at a table or the bar. There’s also live music Wednesday through Sunday, look online for their schedule. Not the best place for food, so eat before you go, and get drinks there.
60 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Gertrude's Jazz Bar
75-5699 Ali‘i DriveThursday night for Latin night! It’s so fun, there is a live band and everyone dances salsa and other types of Latin music. I recommend making reservations on Yelp if you can, sometimes it gets busy and they don’t let anyone in unless they are seated at a table or the bar. There’s also live music Wednesday through Sunday, look online for their schedule. Not the best place for food, so eat before you go, and get drinks there.
Sports dive bar where the locals hang out. If you just want to grab a beer and meet locals, this is the spot. Not fancy, kinda rowdy sometimes, but everyone is friendly. They don’t have food, but in the same plaza there is Thai food and Chinese food, which you are allowed to bring into there bar to eat.
9 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Dolphin Spit Saloon
75-5629 Kuakini HwySports dive bar where the locals hang out. If you just want to grab a beer and meet locals, this is the spot. Not fancy, kinda rowdy sometimes, but everyone is friendly. They don’t have food, but in the same plaza there is Thai food and Chinese food, which you are allowed to bring into there bar to eat.
Markets
Wednesday nights, this is the place to be!! I know it shut down for a while because of the pandemic but I believe it is back up and running regularly. It’s on the opposite side of the island, so if you’re staying at our house its a bit of a hike, but I wanted to mention it in case you happen to be spending any evenings on Kalapana side during your trip.
171 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Бар Awa дядюшки Роберта и фермерский рынок
12-5038 Kalapana Kapoho Beach RdWednesday nights, this is the place to be!! I know it shut down for a while because of the pandemic but I believe it is back up and running regularly. It’s on the opposite side of the island, so if you’re staying at our house its a bit of a hike, but I wanted to mention it in case you happen to be spending any evenings on Kalapana side during your trip.
I look forward to Sunday mornings for this Market! Lots of local artists post up here to sell their original items, such as jewelry, photos, paintings, clothing, swimsuits, food items, and all the produce sold is organic from local farmers. You can also buy plants, honey, Mac nuts, baked goods, coffee, and listen to some live music. It is quaint and small-town feeling. Nothing fancy but I love it.
30 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Pure Kona Green Market
82-6160 Mamalahoa HwyI look forward to Sunday mornings for this Market! Lots of local artists post up here to sell their original items, such as jewelry, photos, paintings, clothing, swimsuits, food items, and all the produce sold is organic from local farmers. You can also buy plants, honey, Mac nuts, baked goods, coffee, and listen to some live music. It is quaint and small-town feeling. Nothing fancy but I love it.
Wednesdays and Saturdays are the days to go, if you’re on the Hilo side!
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Hilo Farmers Market
Mamo StreetWednesdays and Saturdays are the days to go, if you’re on the Hilo side!
Nihilo Artisan Market
A GREAT market with live music that happens every 3 months.
Local goods
Locally made organic and all-natural skin products, the most delicious coffee called “Kona Rose” and Mac nuts. Tiny shop but worth the stop and every penny. The owners put a lot of love and care into their products.
Mahina Mele Farm
79-7460 Hawaiʻi Belt RoadLocally made organic and all-natural skin products, the most delicious coffee called “Kona Rose” and Mac nuts. Tiny shop but worth the stop and every penny. The owners put a lot of love and care into their products.
You MUST stop here if you’re driving to south point, and try the best Mac nuts and shortbread cookies on the island! We are obsessed, and send them to our families as gifts every Christmas. They dehydrate instead of roasting the nuts so they are packed with flavor and have the best crunchy texture that keeps is coming back for more. If you can’t make it to their farm, they sell them at Choicemart in Captain Cook. Look for them in the front of the store on one of the aisle ends. “Local Buzz” in a gold bag with different flavors to pick from.
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Paradise Meadows Orchard & Bee Farm Home of Hawaii's Local Buzz
93-2199 S Point RdYou MUST stop here if you’re driving to south point, and try the best Mac nuts and shortbread cookies on the island! We are obsessed, and send them to our families as gifts every Christmas. They dehydrate instead of roasting the nuts so they are packed with flavor and have the best crunchy texture that keeps is coming back for more. If you can’t make it to their farm, they sell them at Choicemart in Captain Cook. Look for them in the front of the store on one of the aisle ends. “Local Buzz” in a gold bag with different flavors to pick from.
A cute little art gallery, among many in the little town of Holualoa! My mom walks here from our house whenever she visits, its less than a mile… although I caution against it because the windy narrow road can be dangerous for pedestrians. My friend Jamie runs the gallery and sits there making silver and copper jewelry all day. You’ll find pottery, artwork, wood tables, greeting cards, soaps, etc. all from local artists! They are open Wednesday-Sunday.
Kona Art Gallery
76-5938 Mamalahoa HwyA cute little art gallery, among many in the little town of Holualoa! My mom walks here from our house whenever she visits, its less than a mile… although I caution against it because the windy narrow road can be dangerous for pedestrians. My friend Jamie runs the gallery and sits there making silver and copper jewelry all day. You’ll find pottery, artwork, wood tables, greeting cards, soaps, etc. all from local artists! They are open Wednesday-Sunday.
Kona Art Gallery
76-5938 Mamalahoa HwyWalking distance from the house (careful on the narrow road!)
Beaches
Beautiful white sandy beach! One of the best beaches on the island with easy access. Bring an umbrella (which we provide) because this beach has no shade. It can be windy and have big waves sometimes, and other days its like a calm lake. Either way its beautiful!!
66 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Manini'owali Beach (Kua Bay)
Beautiful white sandy beach! One of the best beaches on the island with easy access. Bring an umbrella (which we provide) because this beach has no shade. It can be windy and have big waves sometimes, and other days its like a calm lake. Either way its beautiful!!
A gorgeous sandy beach that is fairly easy to get to. Drive down a long dirt road (any car will do) and park as soon as you see all the cars. Walk down a dirt road to the right to get to the best part of the beach. Bring some cold drinks and snacks in the cooler (there’s a small insulated pouch on the back of the beach chairs we provide for you!) and head down for the day. If you drive down to the end of the road there’s another beach area but its not best for swimming. Walk to the right (north) toward the abandoned red house/shack.
If you keep walking north, there’s a lava-rock path that leads to my FAVORITE beach, Makalawena! If you’re down for the walk, I highly recommend it. The only other ways to get there are by boat or driving a lifted 4x4 vehicle off-road on a gnarly path… rental car companies DO NOT allow this. So the hike is recommended. You can also hike down there from the highway, the top of the path/road is the left right before you reach Kua Bay. It’s easy to miss.. and be careful pulling off the road because there are some deep potholes that could damage a regular car.
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Махайюла-Бич
A gorgeous sandy beach that is fairly easy to get to. Drive down a long dirt road (any car will do) and park as soon as you see all the cars. Walk down a dirt road to the right to get to the best part of the beach. Bring some cold drinks and snacks in the cooler (there’s a small insulated pouch on the back of the beach chairs we provide for you!) and head down for the day. If you drive down to the end of the road there’s another beach area but its not best for swimming. Walk to the right (north) toward the abandoned red house/shack.
If you keep walking north, there’s a lava-rock path that leads to my FAVORITE beach, Makalawena! If you’re down for the walk, I highly recommend it. The only other ways to get there are by boat or driving a lifted 4x4 vehicle off-road on a gnarly path… rental car companies DO NOT allow this. So the hike is recommended. You can also hike down there from the highway, the top of the path/road is the left right before you reach Kua Bay. It’s easy to miss.. and be careful pulling off the road because there are some deep potholes that could damage a regular car.
You wont have phone signal here so download the map offline or just make sure you know where to go ahead of time! You have to hike down some steep lava rocks to get here, but it’s not too difficult. Lots of naked people here.. haha. It’s a hippy-ish vibe and you might see some dolphins and maybe a drum circle. Go in the morning if you can! This is all the way on the East side of the island where they see the sunrise long before Kona. Beautiful black-sand beach!
177 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Kehena Black Sand Beach
You wont have phone signal here so download the map offline or just make sure you know where to go ahead of time! You have to hike down some steep lava rocks to get here, but it’s not too difficult. Lots of naked people here.. haha. It’s a hippy-ish vibe and you might see some dolphins and maybe a drum circle. Go in the morning if you can! This is all the way on the East side of the island where they see the sunrise long before Kona. Beautiful black-sand beach!
So Gorgeous!! You’ll need a Jeep to get here… Off-roading in the sand… or you can pay some locals to bring you down in the back of their pick-up. It’s an adventure but so worth it!
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Пляж Папаколеа с зеленым песком
So Gorgeous!! You’ll need a Jeep to get here… Off-roading in the sand… or you can pay some locals to bring you down in the back of their pick-up. It’s an adventure but so worth it!
10 minutes from the house! Half the time, it is sandy and half the time its rocky! That’s why they call it Magic Sands. If you’re here at the right time, its a great place to swim! It depends on the swells coming through. It tends to be the best during the summer and fall. You can download “Surfline” app on your phone to see current conditions on a live camera.
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Magic Sands Beach Park
Ali'i Drive10 minutes from the house! Half the time, it is sandy and half the time its rocky! That’s why they call it Magic Sands. If you’re here at the right time, its a great place to swim! It depends on the swells coming through. It tends to be the best during the summer and fall. You can download “Surfline” app on your phone to see current conditions on a live camera.