Scooter’s guidebook to The Kona Coast
Food scene
Spice it up a bit with some delicious jambalaya, or as Food Network notes-
Rebel Kitchen brings international soul food to beautiful Kealakekua with a menu that includes a selection of creative burgers, sandwiches, entrees, salads and homemade sauces.
(limited days and hours, check for dates online)
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Rebel Kitchen
79-7399 Hawaiʻi Belt RdSpice it up a bit with some delicious jambalaya, or as Food Network notes-
Rebel Kitchen brings international soul food to beautiful Kealakekua with a menu that includes a selection of creative burgers, sandwiches, entrees, salads and homemade sauces.
(limited days and hours, check for dates online)
Little taco truck gone bigtime taco truck. Shaka Tacoz has been noted as one of the best in all of Hawaii. Call in advance and it'll be ready when you arrive.
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Shaka Tacoz
82-6167 Mamalahoa HighwayLittle taco truck gone bigtime taco truck. Shaka Tacoz has been noted as one of the best in all of Hawaii. Call in advance and it'll be ready when you arrive.
It doesn't seem like much... a hole in the wall place behid a chainlink fence, but Bryan works magic with that poke', and the lilikoi cheesecake? That's called heaven.
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Kona Grill House
75-1027 Halekii StIt doesn't seem like much... a hole in the wall place behid a chainlink fence, but Bryan works magic with that poke', and the lilikoi cheesecake? That's called heaven.
take the 15 minute drive south to this historic restaurant with a never-ending view. Open 7am- 3:30pm (closed Weds). I order their papaya special every time I go.
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The Coffee Shack
83-5799 Mamalahoa Hwytake the 15 minute drive south to this historic restaurant with a never-ending view. Open 7am- 3:30pm (closed Weds). I order their papaya special every time I go.
Creative dishes, an amazing sunset view on the water's edge, and top notch service provides a beautiful experience all around.
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Magics Beach Grill
77-6452 Ali‘i DrCreative dishes, an amazing sunset view on the water's edge, and top notch service provides a beautiful experience all around.
Just up the hill you'll find this gem, with homemade gelato and cakes. Try every flavor and you'll be here three weeks. Big couches and a playground too!
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Gypsea Gelato
79-7491 Hawaiʻi Belt RdJust up the hill you'll find this gem, with homemade gelato and cakes. Try every flavor and you'll be here three weeks. Big couches and a playground too!
My son flies to Kona just for Kaya's coffee, and he lives in Seattle. Organic-focused coffee shop with baked goods & light fare, plus jewelry, art & clothing for sale.
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Kaya's Kawanui Inc
79-7300 Hawaiʻi Belt RdMy son flies to Kona just for Kaya's coffee, and he lives in Seattle. Organic-focused coffee shop with baked goods & light fare, plus jewelry, art & clothing for sale.
Caffe Florian is just at the top of my street (1 min drive or 10 min uphill walk) where you can get a bowl of granola (or porridge) and 100% Kona Coffee with a spectacular view, all for under $10. B'fast & lunch only on weekdays, closes at 3pm.
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Caffe Florian
81-6637 Hawaiʻi Belt RdCaffe Florian is just at the top of my street (1 min drive or 10 min uphill walk) where you can get a bowl of granola (or porridge) and 100% Kona Coffee with a spectacular view, all for under $10. B'fast & lunch only on weekdays, closes at 3pm.
On Sunday mornings you'll find the Pure Kona Green Farmer's Market, my favorite in Soko (South Kona), A farmer and artist market that promotes local products, sustainability, and community gathering.
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Pure Kona Green Market
82-6160 Mamalahoa HwyOn Sunday mornings you'll find the Pure Kona Green Farmer's Market, my favorite in Soko (South Kona), A farmer and artist market that promotes local products, sustainability, and community gathering.
Sightseeing
Visit a working bee farm and buy some delicious honey that the bees really worked hard to make. Did you know the Big Island sells more Queen Bees around the world than any place on earth? Well they do.
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Big Island Bees
82-1140 Meli RdVisit a working bee farm and buy some delicious honey that the bees really worked hard to make. Did you know the Big Island sells more Queen Bees around the world than any place on earth? Well they do.
You can hike to the Captain Cook Monument, take a kayak to it, or My favorite, board a boat with Fair Wind Cruises. A half day cruise on the Hula Kai includes a plant-based breakfast, lunch, 100% Kona Coffee, and all your snorkel gear. If you love the fishies, you'll love this half day trip in along the South Kona Coast.
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Kealakekua Bay
You can hike to the Captain Cook Monument, take a kayak to it, or My favorite, board a boat with Fair Wind Cruises. A half day cruise on the Hula Kai includes a plant-based breakfast, lunch, 100% Kona Coffee, and all your snorkel gear. If you love the fishies, you'll love this half day trip in along the South Kona Coast.
Mauna Kea is the tallest volcano on earth, and the tallest mountain (when you include its base at the bottom of the sea). It's an other-worldly experience to see the sunset above the clouds and see the stars from the best viewing telescopes on earth at the visitor station. To go beyond the visitor station to the very tip top you must have a 4-wheel drive. I have not yet experienced that, but I hear it is "all that". Try to time it for sunset, plus bring warm clothing and a blanket and some hot chocolate.
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Mauna Kea
Mauna Kea is the tallest volcano on earth, and the tallest mountain (when you include its base at the bottom of the sea). It's an other-worldly experience to see the sunset above the clouds and see the stars from the best viewing telescopes on earth at the visitor station. To go beyond the visitor station to the very tip top you must have a 4-wheel drive. I have not yet experienced that, but I hear it is "all that". Try to time it for sunset, plus bring warm clothing and a blanket and some hot chocolate.
Greenwell Coffee Farms has been around since 1850, and they offer free tours on the hour from 9am to 3pm. Tasting all their 100% blends is free also. Stop by the Kona Historical Society nearby and try your hand at making Portuguese Bread in their mid 1800's Portuguese Fire-pit (offered certain days and on break because of Covid and whatnot).
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Greenwell Farms Inc
81-6581 Mamalahoa HwyGreenwell Coffee Farms has been around since 1850, and they offer free tours on the hour from 9am to 3pm. Tasting all their 100% blends is free also. Stop by the Kona Historical Society nearby and try your hand at making Portuguese Bread in their mid 1800's Portuguese Fire-pit (offered certain days and on break because of Covid and whatnot).
Manta Ray Night Snorkel Tour with Fair Wind Cruises. Just 10 minutes down the hill, board the Hula Kai boat to view these amazing and elegant creatures up close and personal.
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Keauhou Bay
Manta Ray Night Snorkel Tour with Fair Wind Cruises. Just 10 minutes down the hill, board the Hula Kai boat to view these amazing and elegant creatures up close and personal.
There is so much more to do in this park than just see the lava in Kilauea (although that alone is awesome). You can also tour The Chain Of Craters all the way to the ocean, hike through the crater Kilauea Iki (the smaller crater only because there is molten lava in the big one), walk through a giant 500 year old lava tube (Thurston Lava Tube), The Pu`u Loa Petroglyphs archeological site is a vast collection of over 23,000 petroglyphs, walking on the pahoehoe (smooth) lava is a beautiful thing, and so much more. The drive to the park and touring this massive park (almost the size of Oahu!) is a fulfilling full day on its own.
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Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
There is so much more to do in this park than just see the lava in Kilauea (although that alone is awesome). You can also tour The Chain Of Craters all the way to the ocean, hike through the crater Kilauea Iki (the smaller crater only because there is molten lava in the big one), walk through a giant 500 year old lava tube (Thurston Lava Tube), The Pu`u Loa Petroglyphs archeological site is a vast collection of over 23,000 petroglyphs, walking on the pahoehoe (smooth) lava is a beautiful thing, and so much more. The drive to the park and touring this massive park (almost the size of Oahu!) is a fulfilling full day on its own.
The Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary can only be experienced on a guided tour, which must be booked in advance. Visitors are led on a botanical tour to see and learn about towering ohia trees, koa trees, giant ferns, over 100 varieties of bamboo, and a carefully managed collection of non-native plants. Native birds, such as honeycreepers, akepa, and Hawaiian hawks, also call the sanctuary home.
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Kona Cloud Forest
73-1865 Hao StThe Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary can only be experienced on a guided tour, which must be booked in advance. Visitors are led on a botanical tour to see and learn about towering ohia trees, koa trees, giant ferns, over 100 varieties of bamboo, and a carefully managed collection of non-native plants. Native birds, such as honeycreepers, akepa, and Hawaiian hawks, also call the sanctuary home.
A short 15 minute drive along the coast will bring you to Magic Sands, also known as White Sands and Disappearing Sands Beach. Most of the year there will be "fun-size" waves but it's always good to ask lifeguards if you're not sure of conditions. Bathrooms, showers, and food trucks, and lots of happy splashing people here.
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Park Magic Sands Beach
Ali'i DriveA short 15 minute drive along the coast will bring you to Magic Sands, also known as White Sands and Disappearing Sands Beach. Most of the year there will be "fun-size" waves but it's always good to ask lifeguards if you're not sure of conditions. Bathrooms, showers, and food trucks, and lots of happy splashing people here.
Just north of Magic Sands Beach is this popular snorkel & surf spot. Shallow, protected, and plenty of fishies. Bring a picnic and have an amazing day. Free.
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Kahaluu Bay
Ali‘i DriveJust north of Magic Sands Beach is this popular snorkel & surf spot. Shallow, protected, and plenty of fishies. Bring a picnic and have an amazing day. Free.
Kua Bay is one of my top 3 white sand beaches. Pretty tortoise water, lots of room to spread out for the day. No shade so bring an umbrella. This is a life-guarded beach, and includes warm water showers. No food vendors so bring your own grub. About 10 minutes north of the Kona airport.
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Kua Bay
Kua Bay is one of my top 3 white sand beaches. Pretty tortoise water, lots of room to spread out for the day. No shade so bring an umbrella. This is a life-guarded beach, and includes warm water showers. No food vendors so bring your own grub. About 10 minutes north of the Kona airport.
First time I went to 2 Step, two honu (turtles) swam up to me and we all surfaced together. Stay 30 ft away from the honu and 50 yards from dolphins. They can come to you but you cannot go to them. 2 Step is teaming with fish and wildlife, and easy access at the naturally formed lava 2 steps. Best to be here in the morning. Right next door is Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park.
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Two Step
First time I went to 2 Step, two honu (turtles) swam up to me and we all surfaced together. Stay 30 ft away from the honu and 50 yards from dolphins. They can come to you but you cannot go to them. 2 Step is teaming with fish and wildlife, and easy access at the naturally formed lava 2 steps. Best to be here in the morning. Right next door is Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park.
Porady dla podróżnych
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Roadtrip #1
Hawi + The Pololu Trail and Black Beach: Here's what you do. Head north to the town of Waimea. Cute horse town. Travel up the gorgeous Kohala Mountain Road to the towns of Hawi & Kapaau. Run around the shops in both towns where everyone is super aloha. Then head east to the end of the road for the Pololu Lookout. Dreamy. If your feeling energetic it's only a 20 minute jaunt to the black beach and forest along the ocean. If you still have time go take a swim at Hapuna Beach (voted as best beach in the USA in 2021) where its always 85º year round.
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Roadtrip #2
I have to tell you this one in person and swear you to secrecy. A hidden 11 mile country road between two towns on an old abandoned roadway is just the perfect scenery, with the ocean as the backdrop, as you slowly roll through the fertile rolling hills, without cars or signs.... it's all so amazing. Spend as much time in these magical hills as you want. I'll give you a few more tips of other treasures in the area. Bring a picnic and chill for the day.
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Drive with aloha
Everything seems just a bit calmer and slower here, so please don't get frustrated when locals drive 35mph on a 45mph road. You're in Hawaii. Enjoy the scenery, and wave some shaka love to your fellow drivers when they let you into traffic. You will come to love the aloha state of mind. It's a beautiful thing to behold.
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WILDLIFE
Mongooses, Goats, and geckos... oh my!
Yes, you'll see wildlife the moment you leave the airport. Lots of feral goats along the roadside first, then mongooses everywhere. Periodically you'll see feral pigs as well, so be aware, and drive with caution. When you arrive at Dreampop Studio Airbnb, you'll see mongooses here and there foraging in the grass and trees, but they are harmless (to people) and will run away when they see you.
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Kona Coffee Farms
You are in the heart of it... The Kona Coffee Belt. The only place in the USA where coffee is produced. Hand-picked for that matter. Local tours abound, but one of the biggest, best, and oldest is just up the hill (15 minute walk) to Greenwell Coffee Farm. They offer free tours every hour 9am-3pm and free samples as well.
For great coffee and edibles like pastries etc, try Kaya's Coffee just a few miles north on the main road (Mamalahoa Rd).