I love seeing these posts. My first and only trip to Hawaii was in May 2019, and I didn’t make it to the Big Island.
I wish I had.
Looking forward to seeing more of your posts.
I love seeing these posts. My first and only trip to Hawaii was in May 2019, and I didn’t make it to the Big Island.
I wish I had.
Looking forward to seeing more of your posts.
Miss Kona.
I see why you miss it, mts. Kona is special. I spent a bit of time in both North and South Kona and they have completely different flavors but both are fun. I started my second day by hitting Magic Sands and just chilled. Water was cold and the waves high so the lifeguard was advising swimmers to stay in close. But the beach was clean and not too crowded.
Food became my primary thought so I headed down to a shopping mall at the Keaohou Farmer’s Market where there is an L&L and ordered disastrously. Funny now, but they have really poor musubi and worse saimin. I ended up spitting out pieces of plastic from the saimin. L&L, you are on my Do Not Call list!
Went home, showered the salt off and went down and walked around Ali’i Drive and people watched, then up to Umeke’s Grill where I ordered their version of Loco Moco which was pretty good. Brown rice, hamburger patty, gravy, mushrooms and two sunny side eggs. Pretty good!
Home for the sunset and a good book. I found an old copy of Flashman at a second hand store. Now that is a character!
Next day I was thinking snorkeling so I headed south to tiny Manini Beach and the trip was a joy. First I hit Kealakekua and wandered by the Aloha Theater, very cool!
Then it was off to a Mom and Pop sort of place for an early lunch, Ono Home Kitchen, also in Kealakekua. Just a big bowl of Wor Wonton Soup with a ton of wontons, shrimp and meat. Very filling though the broth was a touch thin.
I started off to the beach but had to backtrack to get a photo of a gorgeous old Episcopalian church.
Then it was on to Manini Beach via a narrow road, curving back and forth with occasional views out over the island to the southwest. And one abandoned semi…
At the bottom of the drive the road narrowed down to one lane so it was a contest between vehicles when they meet to see who can drive onto the side or back up first. Considering how most of the people are locals and they put up with confused tourists every day they are remarkably welcoming. But Manini was closed for tree trimming and coconut dropping (?), huge leaves on the grass and the road. Having been struck by two coconuts in one day years ago on Ko Tao, I was quite willing to take a quick photo and head south to the larger snorkeling area at Honaunau Bay.
Honaunau was much more crowded and a bit of a zoo, but then the Spinner Dolphins started playing out in the bay and it was all worth it. I can attest to the futility of trying to time a photo of dolphins doing aerial maneuvers, many shots, no photos. Again, the snorkeling was fun but the water was pretty hazy and the coral was only in fair shape. Lots of yellow barbs and a few groupers.
Hit Ono Home on the way home for Ribs and Rice, a touch sweet and pretty tough off the bone, but a fun meal.
Then it was back to Kailua for the Sunday Street Market and a Hawaiian vocal group performing Christmas carols. Very cool. I will try to download a short video of them singing but I am not sure if a video will download properly. Nope. Rats.
I also ran into a fellow Montanan selling Hawaiian and Montanan artwork. You can guess which one I bought.
Toddled off home and was greeted by a familiar friend on the way. Love these birds.
A bit further south in Captain Cook, I always liked the Manago Inn and their pork chops. Also Sandy’s Drive in, a hole in the wall joint that happens to serve fresh local fish on the cheap.
I saw Sandy’s sign and was tempted. There was also the BBQ chicken truck and the Teshima (sp?) Cafe near there. So many places i want to go!
Sandy’s probably would have been better than the slightly too sweet Ribs at Ono Home.
And I think i may have figured out how to link to my short video of the Christmas performance in Kailau!
You did - fun!
I returned from the Big Island a few days ago and wanted to put down my last thoughts on the trip. I hit Basik Acai near On the Rocks and had a nice cup of sugary sweetness. The entire bottom level of the dish was some chocolately gelato substance. Satisfied my sweet tooth for 2025. Sparrow helped me finish it.
Randy’s Huli BBQ Chicken was not open when I drove through Kealakekua so I went next door to the Oz’s truck for Katsudon and sliced musubi. Very nice lady, pretty good katsudon and musubi. I kind of like the pre-slicing of musubi. Both could have used some soy sauce but I forgot to ask and there was a voracious cat waiting for me to step away from my food. A polite voracious cat, but hungry!
Wandered around Ali’i Drive at sunset, great light on the island. And I kind of like the funky, Brady Bunch feel to this part of the island.
The odd thing is that the north part of the island is completely different. Waimea is more rich soil, green grass and cattle country. Had a rancher’s pickup parked next to me when I visited a McD’s for a McRib sandwich. Not sure what it is about those fast food gut bombs. I have to have one every couple years. But the dogs kept an eye on my car while I was inside.
Came back around the Kawaihei and saw a beautiful rainbow over Lapakahi Park, back to semi-arid dry brush and lava.
On my last full day I went to Sandy’s and should have ordered fish. I welcome tips and recommendations a great deal, and I want to thank all of you for any suggestions you have made. Sometimes I get carried off in another direction but I really do appreciate recommendations! Which leads me to, how in the world do I make some of my choices when I am ordering? ML8000 recommends Sandy’s for the fresh local fish? But I order Chicken and Long Rice. Argh. It was ok but it was not all that. It was a special of the day and that sways me sometimes. The other special was Orphan Casserole, which sounded intriguing as well.
Back to Kailua for a sunset bite at touristy but fun Fosters. They have a nice Mahi sandwich, the only problem is that is a small portion. Great staff though.
A little tangential comment here. Hawaiians seem to love Spam. Not just as musubi. It pops up all over. Then i noticed the Spam section of KTA grocery stores.
I know the history of why Hawaii, South Korea and Guam love canned meat products, the shortages of protein after WWII, but seeing the different outlook on Spam is intriguing.
Then it was back to the airport and back to the mainland.
I know that HO is primarily a food website, not a travel website, but I truly appreciate being able to share my trip photos here, both food and travel related. I hope that some of you enjoy seeing these stories and photos as much as I enjoy recording them!
I love your travel reports, all of them: food, scenery and local animals. I am so glad you like to travel and report back!!
Thank you, Gretchen!
I just saw this photo of Orphan Annie’s Casserole on Sandy’s website.
Looks familiar.
I really enjoy your posts, and I love that you find and photograph animals at many of your stops. I’m the same way, and easily distracted by dogs and cats.
Yes, we do! Such fun to be an armchair traveler when you post your adventures.
Looks like a great time! Good food , scenery and some cute animal pals Thanks for taking us along.
LOVE Tocino Spam!
Mahalo!!! Its been too long since we’ve been back to Paradise.
Your pics and descriptions brings back so many pleasant memories. Thanks!
Gotta get back in 2025!!!
I know you @ZivBnd have read my trip reports, many of which border on the ridiculous (she’s posting yet another burger/pizza/sad meal?!). Your reports are positively poetic compared with mine. But like you, I enjoy the process of writing them up. Thanks for taking the time yet again to entertain us all!
ETA: We are thinking about going to Hawaii in 2025 but not sure which islands to hit. We would probably go with our friends who have a time share on Maui (I think). Wherever we choose, Spring Onion will be thinking “why do these people keep taking me to Iceland?”
Loved the trip report. Thanks.
@digga We did Maui a few years ago with our little one (she was 3 at the time) and other than the jet lag (oh, the jet lag!!!) it was an absolutely unforgettable incredible trip! Would highly recommend! My trip report is floating around somewhere.