Carrie’s guidebook
Favorites and neighborhoods
This is the main strip in town with shopping and restaurants.
Some of our favorite restaurants:
On the Rocks - always live music,
Sakura Sushi,
Fosters Kitchen, Papa Kona.
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Alii Drive
Ali‘i DriveThis is the main strip in town with shopping and restaurants.
Some of our favorite restaurants:
On the Rocks - always live music,
Sakura Sushi,
Fosters Kitchen, Papa Kona.
Cute town with lots of cafe’s and shops. Good beaches in the area are Ke’ei (need 4 wheel drive to get here) and Manini beach park.
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Captain Cook
Cute town with lots of cafe’s and shops. Good beaches in the area are Ke’ei (need 4 wheel drive to get here) and Manini beach park.
Adorable town on the Northern Tip of the island. Great day trip. Stop at Spencer Beach Park on the way there.
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Hawi
Adorable town on the Northern Tip of the island. Great day trip. Stop at Spencer Beach Park on the way there.
Pahoa is a cool town with a lot of the new lava flow and the new black sand beach near by. Drive to the end of the highway and you will find an off grid neighborhood living on top of the lava. They are protective of their area though so be respectful.
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Pāhoa
Pahoa is a cool town with a lot of the new lava flow and the new black sand beach near by. Drive to the end of the highway and you will find an off grid neighborhood living on top of the lava. They are protective of their area though so be respectful.
Sightseeing and beaches
Snorkeling at the captain cook monument is fun and beautiful - you can hike down but trail fairly difficult (go early in the morning to beat the hot sun on the way back up). Otherwise you can hire a boat to take you there or rent a kayak at Kealakekua Bay and paddle over.
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Captain Cook Monument Trail
Napoopoo Road
Snorkeling at the captain cook monument is fun and beautiful - you can hike down but trail fairly difficult (go early in the morning to beat the hot sun on the way back up). Otherwise you can hire a boat to take you there or rent a kayak at Kealakekua Bay and paddle over.
We love a weekend trip to Hilo. They have great restaurants, beautiful botanical gardens, nice beaches, and astronomy center, and a free zoo.
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Hilo
We love a weekend trip to Hilo. They have great restaurants, beautiful botanical gardens, nice beaches, and astronomy center, and a free zoo.
A must do on the Big Island. Lots of hiking options as well as easier short trails and lookouts on the volcano.
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Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
A must do on the Big Island. Lots of hiking options as well as easier short trails and lookouts on the volcano.
Beautiful beach. You can either park on the highway and hike in or take a very difficult road to get there. 4 wheel drive recommended if you drive.
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Makalawena Beach
Hawaii 19Beautiful beach. You can either park on the highway and hike in or take a very difficult road to get there. 4 wheel drive recommended if you drive.
A local favorite for surfing and body boarding. Also has trees for lounging in the shade. You can also camp here with a reservation. Is a somewhat rocky beach with sandy tide pools to play in.
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Pine Trees Surfing Beach
A local favorite for surfing and body boarding. Also has trees for lounging in the shade. You can also camp here with a reservation. Is a somewhat rocky beach with sandy tide pools to play in.
Great laid back beach for small children (nice for adults too:). It has some beautiful large tide pools to frolic in and a little sandy beach. You park near the soccer fields and public pool at old airport. Then walk through the soccer fields through an opening in the fence. Keep going through the neighborhood and you will be at the Keiki ponds beach.
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Keiki Ponds
75-5572 Kona Bay DrGreat laid back beach for small children (nice for adults too:). It has some beautiful large tide pools to frolic in and a little sandy beach. You park near the soccer fields and public pool at old airport. Then walk through the soccer fields through an opening in the fence. Keep going through the neighborhood and you will be at the Keiki ponds beach.
Beautiful beach, typically less crowded, great for snorkeling, lots of trees for shade.
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Waialea Beach
Old Puako RoadBeautiful beach, typically less crowded, great for snorkeling, lots of trees for shade.
Another gorgeous beach. Typically more crowded. Sunset gorgeous here. Also good for body boarding.
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Manini'owali Beach (Kua Bay)
Another gorgeous beach. Typically more crowded. Sunset gorgeous here. Also good for body boarding.
Long sandy beach, beautiful with a gentle break. Popular but plenty of space. Also a beautiful place for sunset. Bring an umbrella. Not many options for shade.
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Hapuna Beach
Long sandy beach, beautiful with a gentle break. Popular but plenty of space. Also a beautiful place for sunset. Bring an umbrella. Not many options for shade.
Also called Two Step, beautiful snorkeling and diving here. Entry is rocky but there is a little sandy area for kids too. Hawaiian sacred place so please be respectful, don’t touch the dolphins or turtles.
Honaunau Bay, Honaunau-Napoopoo, HI 96704, USA
Also called Two Step, beautiful snorkeling and diving here. Entry is rocky but there is a little sandy area for kids too. Hawaiian sacred place so please be respectful, don’t touch the dolphins or turtles.
Another beautiful place to snorkel and shallow. Many different varieties of fish. Beginners also surf here. The coral is slowly recovering. Please make sure to not stomp on the coral and also wear reef safe sunscreen.
Kahaluu Bay, Kahaluu-Keauhou, HI 96740, USA
Another beautiful place to snorkel and shallow. Many different varieties of fish. Beginners also surf here. The coral is slowly recovering. Please make sure to not stomp on the coral and also wear reef safe sunscreen.
We had a great time taking a hot glass class here with our kids. The instructor is awesome!
Hot Glass Hawaii
We had a great time taking a hot glass class here with our kids. The instructor is awesome!
Mohalu Hawaii ~
Make your own beautiful Lei and talk story to learn more about the Hawaiian Culture.
Each session is private and exclusive.
Your instructor will guide you through the process of creating your very own fresh lei all while learning about different styles of lei along with the many different flowers and foliage that are used.
All materials needed to create your lei are provided.
Flowers and foliage are locally sourced here on the island of Hawai'i.
Enlightening conversation will bring focus to the culture of Hawaiʻi.
We hope upon completion of your lei that you have gained a greater understanding and respect for Hawaiʻi.
This is in Waimea in North Hawaii. There are also delicious restaurants, a great park for kids, and a popular Saturday Farmer’s Market, as well as a midweek Market on Wednesdays, here.
Hawaiʻi Belt Rd, Waimea, HI, USA
Mohalu Hawaii ~
Make your own beautiful Lei and talk story to learn more about the Hawaiian Culture.
Each session is private and exclusive.
Your instructor will guide you through the process of creating your very own fresh lei all while learning about different styles of lei along with the many different flowers and foliage that are used.
All materials needed to create your lei are provided.
Flowers and foliage are locally sourced here on the island of Hawai'i.
Enlightening conversation will bring focus to the culture of Hawaiʻi.
We hope upon completion of your lei that you have gained a greater understanding and respect for Hawaiʻi.
This is in Waimea in North Hawaii. There are also delicious restaurants, a great park for kids, and a popular Saturday Farmer’s Market, as well as a midweek Market on Wednesdays, here.
Bars/Sunset
Ola Brew
74-5598 Luhia StGreat brewery with good food too!
Humpy's Big Island Alehouse
75-5815 Ali‘i DrFun bar on Ali’i with good drink specials.
Play at A Bay for the day, then have dinner, drinks and sunset at Lava Lava Beach Club.
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Lava Lava Beach Club
69-1081 Ku'uali'i PlPlay at A Bay for the day, then have dinner, drinks and sunset at Lava Lava Beach Club.
Delicious brews and food on the North Side of the Island.
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Big Island Brewhaus
64-1066 Mamalahoa HwyDelicious brews and food on the North Side of the Island.
Food scene
Sansei
201 Waikōloa Beach DrThe sushi here is so delicious! Make sure and get the butter fish.
Foster's Kitchen
75-5805 Ali‘i DrOrganic good food.
Right on the water, listen to the waves while you have a delicious meal. Make sure to get the Avocado Fries!
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Papa Kona Restaurant & Bar
75-5770 Ali‘i DrRight on the water, listen to the waves while you have a delicious meal. Make sure to get the Avocado Fries!
Delicious shave ice, smoothies, and ice cream. All organic and all flavors made from local ingredients.
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One Aloha Shave Ice Co.
75-5711 Kuakini HwyDelicious shave ice, smoothies, and ice cream. All organic and all flavors made from local ingredients.
Delicious Chinese food and other options. Located in the shopping center on Henry street.
Fireart Cuisine
75-1027 Henry StDelicious Chinese food and other options. Located in the shopping center on Henry street.
Great place to have a big schooner of beer and a burger or fish and chips. Also a nice beach behind here (behind the parking lot at the marina) to see sea turtles.
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Harbor House
74-425 Kealakehe PkwyGreat place to have a big schooner of beer and a burger or fish and chips. Also a nice beach behind here (behind the parking lot at the marina) to see sea turtles.
Magics is right on the water next to magic sands beach. They have a great dinner menu as well as Sunday brunch.
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Magics Beach Grill
77-6452 Ali‘i DrMagics is right on the water next to magic sands beach. They have a great dinner menu as well as Sunday brunch.
Restaurant on the water that has live music many nights. Try the poke nachos! They also have a good sparkling rose.
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On the Rocks
75-5824 Kahakai RoadRestaurant on the water that has live music many nights. Try the poke nachos! They also have a good sparkling rose.
They have delicious chicken, generous portions, and a good beer selection.
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Willie's Hot Chicken
74-5599 Pawai PlThey have delicious chicken, generous portions, and a good beer selection.
We really love the poke bowls and
Salads here as well as the poke bombs.
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Umekes Fish Market Bar & Grill
74-5599 Pawai PlWe really love the poke bowls and
Salads here as well as the poke bombs.
Great taco truck with adjacent indoor and outdoor seating. Super delicious. Go kayaking at Kealakekua bay or snorkeling at Manini Beach, then hit up Shaka Tacoz for lunch or dinner.
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Shaka Tacoz
82-6167 Mamalahoa HighwayGreat taco truck with adjacent indoor and outdoor seating. Super delicious. Go kayaking at Kealakekua bay or snorkeling at Manini Beach, then hit up Shaka Tacoz for lunch or dinner.
Sack N Save Kona
75-5595 Palani RdGreat grab and go poke and baked Hawaiian goods.
Shimaichi Sushi Kona
75-5742 Kuakini HwyDelicious affordable sushi with friendly service
Can you tell we love sushi? :) Another one of our favorites. Consistently good and have happy hour specials. Always friendly good service.
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Sakura
75-1027 Henry StCan you tell we love sushi? :) Another one of our favorites. Consistently good and have happy hour specials. Always friendly good service.
RC Kona
75-5729 Ali‘i DriveA butcher shop with delicious cuts of meat and sandwiches
Broke Da Mouth Grindz & Catering
74-5565 Luhia StGreat Local Hawaiian food!
Puna Chocolate Company - Kona
74-5606 Pawai PlSuper yummy local chocolatier
Journey to Good Health Cafe LLC
75-5729 Ali‘i DrDelicious vegan food and ice cream
Coffee @ Kai
75-5776 Ali‘i DrReally good brick oven pizza, 45 beers and seltzers on tap!
Great grocery store, local produce, vegan and organic goods.
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Island Naturals Market & Deli Kailua-Kona
74-5444 Makala BlvdGreat grocery store, local produce, vegan and organic goods.
Ocean charters/Land tours
The owner is highly recommended and knows the island like the back of his hand. He does Dolphin tours, manta rays, whale watching, fishing, private charters, and hiking/waterfall tours.
Liquid Hawaii Charters
Puako Beach DriveThe owner is highly recommended and knows the island like the back of his hand. He does Dolphin tours, manta rays, whale watching, fishing, private charters, and hiking/waterfall tours.
Manta snorkel and diving
We have used this group for the night manta snorkel in front of the Sheraton in Keahou and it was a great experience.
Kona Style
75-5669 Ali‘i DrWe have used this group for the night manta snorkel in front of the Sheraton in Keahou and it was a great experience.
This is a great shop where I have rented gear and took a free diving course. They are very friendly and knowledgeable.
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Kona Honu Divers
74-5583 Luhia StThis is a great shop where I have rented gear and took a free diving course. They are very friendly and knowledgeable.
Zen out
This place is immersed in nature and super relaxing. Byob and treat yourself and your loved one.
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Mamalahoa Hot Tubs & Massage
81-1016 St John's RdThis place is immersed in nature and super relaxing. Byob and treat yourself and your loved one.
If you want an extensive affordable deep tissue massage, check this place out. Very professional and clean..
Kona Thai Massage
75-5759 Kuakini HwyIf you want an extensive affordable deep tissue massage, check this place out. Very professional and clean..
This is now called Kona hot yoga. I love this studio and attend classes here multiple times a week. They have hot Pilates, vinyasa, flow, Bikram, yoga, sculpt, and other pop-up classes. The studio is heated, very clean and super friendly community.
Bikram Yoga Kona
74-5626 Alapa StThis is now called Kona hot yoga. I love this studio and attend classes here multiple times a week. They have hot Pilates, vinyasa, flow, Bikram, yoga, sculpt, and other pop-up classes. The studio is heated, very clean and super friendly community.