Things to do in Hawai'i (The Big Island)
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Evie's Natural Foods
Evie's Natural Foods stocks health-food staples and some organic produce. Its café (open 09:00 to 18:45) doesn't get rave reviews (especially for service), but health-conscious types will likely enjoy the basic breakfasts, smoothies, sandwiches, salads and hot dishes.
reviewed
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Pescatore
The ideal neighborhood restaurant, with attentive service and quality ingredients prepared simply, Pescatore will satisfy any Italian cravings. The 'ahi carpaccio is a star, the sausage is homemade, and the authentic fare includes cioppino, fra diavolo and eggplant parmesan.
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Canoe House
Let a salad of Waipio Valley fern shoots and white asparagus or filet mignon with Hamakua mushrooms and green tea soba noodles tantalize your senses at the Mauna Lani's signature restaurant. Dine inside or out at this celebrated oceanfront restaurant blending the flavors of East and West.
reviewed
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Sunset Champagne Dinner Cruise
2 hours (Departs Hawaii, Hawaii)
by Viator
Let our expert captain and crew steer you into the sunset for your special evening. Enjoy gourmet appetizers amp; a full open bar on this incredible champagne…Not LP reviewed
from USD$127.00 -
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Holualoa Ukulele Gallery
In the historic Holualoa post-office building, Sam Rosen sells ukulele handcrafted by himself as well as other craftsmen at prices only serious buyers would consider. Signed portraits of local ukulele legends Jake Shimabukuro and 'Ohta-san' give the gallery a professional seal of approval.
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Kawaihae Seafood Bar
This charismatic upper-floor Seafood Bar is the best spot in town for a drink, or a lighter meal than you'll find at its partner, the Harbor Grill. The long bar has a thatched cover and good ocean-themed decor. The entree salads, poke burger and ginger steamed clams are favorites.
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Kauna'oa Bay (aka Mauna Kea Beach)
Kauna'oa Bay (aka 'Mauna Kea Beach') might be the most visually stunning beach on the Big Island. The crescent-shaped cove has fine white sand and a gradual slope that fosters excellent swimming conditions most of the year. On the north end, snorkeling conditions are good during calm waters.
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Ipu Hale Gallery
Next to the café, this gallery sells ipu(gourds) decoratively carved with gorgeous Hawaiian imagery in an ancient method unique to the Hawaiian island of Ni'ihau. Lost after the introduction of Western crockery, the art form was revived by a Big Island scholar just 15 years ago.
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Big Island Keauhou Bay Kayaking and Optional Snorkeling Cave Tour
Varies (Departs Hawaii, Hawaii)
by Viator
Enjoy an exciting day of kayaking below Hawaii's soaring cliffs and around its sea caves! Experience the picturesque beauty of the Big Island on this aquatic…Not LP reviewed
from USD$97.66 -
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Pahala Town Cafe
Being the only eatery, this sterile café feels the need to be it all. Soups, salads and wraps are all on the extensive menu, but it's best to stick to what it does best: plate lunches, burgers and fried things. The gigantic malasada with optional fillings are the only breakfast item.
reviewed
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Chain of Craters Road
Chain of Craters Road gets shorter all the time (most recently in 2003). It currently winds about 18 miles down the southern slopes of Kilauea Volcano, ending abruptly at the latest East Rift Zone lava flow on the Puna Coast. It's paved but curvaceous; allow 45 minutes to an hour one way without stops.
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Roy's Waikoloa Bar & Grill
Renowned Roy's takes regional Hawaiian cuisine and gives it an international twist, with impressive results. Dishes like rack of lamb in a liliko'i Cabernet sauce, and braised beef shortribs with a honey mustard sauce, homemade poi and lomi tomatoes will knock your socks off.
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Tex Drive-In
A malasada is just a donut, but Tex is famous for making them fresh, fat and delicious. They come plain or filled. Tex also serves an above-average plate lunch, with crisp green salads and tasty renditions of the classic meats, like Korean chicken. There's also an attached gift and garden shop.
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Island Breeze Luau on the Big Island
3.5 hours (Departs Kona, Hawaii)
by Viator
Experience the essence of Hawaii and the Polynesian Islands during this Island Breeze Luau! Located in the heart of Kailua-Kona on the Big Island, this luau…Not LP reviewed
from USD$85.21 -
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Habaneros
Habaneros unites a diverse crowd, their only commonality the search for a decent taqueria. Retirees, the after-beach crowd and Latin American coffee pickers (the latter being the true indicator that this place is 'numbah one') savor burritos, tacos and plates of fajitas elbow to elbow at two long counters. Cash only.
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Brown's Beach House
It's hard to say which is the superior aspect of Brown's: the flavorful cuisine highlighting Big Island produce with an emphasis on fresh seafood, or the relaxed tropical atmosphere and beach cove view. The crab-encrusted 'opakapaka (pink snapper) in sake-mirin butter with wasabi mashed potatoes wins acclaim.
reviewed
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Aunty's Place
Gerda 'Aunty' Medeiros makes pizza all day, and traditional hearty German dinners at night, served in a casual diner setting. While the owner doesn't like to compare her 'housewife cooking' to Waimea's Edelweiss restaurant's 'hotel cooking', she shouldn't be so modest. There's karaoke on Friday from 21:30 until 02:00.
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Kahilu Theatre
Waimea may not be hopping with nightlife, but it enjoys a first-class year-round slate of dance, music and theater. Performers at Kahilu have included Chick Corea, Paul Taylor Dance Company, Laurie Anderson, Chanticleer and the Harlem Gospel Choir. A big draw is the annual Waimea 'Ukulele & Slack Key Institute concert.
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Kava Kafé
If you haven't tried kava (mildly relaxing juice of the 'awa plant), this intimate local hangout can help you out. Choose between traditional or flavors such as Maya Chocolate, made with coconut milk, ginger, chocolate, cayenne and cinnamon. On Friday there's live post-sunset tunes and an all-you-can-drink special.
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Kama'aina Terrace
Oceanfront and breezy, the Outrigger holds several inviting dining events in addition to its regular menu. A seafood and prime-rib buffet including traditional Hawaiian dishes and sushi is held every Friday. On Sunday there's a lavish brunch buffet. The Sunset Specials include salad, a main course, sorbet and coffee or tea.
reviewed
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Ken's House of Pancakes
Mac-nut pancakes and Spam omelets.
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Peaberry & Galette
Let the modern ambient tunes and the espresso machine dose you up on uber-hipness at this too-cool-for-school creperie. The salade niçoise and quiche do not disappoint, though the disposable cups and utensils do. The sweet or savory crepes are beautifully presented if a little under-filled. Italian, not local, coffee is served.
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Kona Historical Society
The Kona Historical Society has turned the old stone-and-mortar Greenwell General Store into a museum version of what it was in 1890. They've meticulously filled it with authentic period goods such as farm equipment and cans. The Greenwell General Store is immediately south of Greenwell Farms and the society's headquarters are behind it.
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Cassandra's Greek Taverna
If you must give in to Ali'i Dr's touristy, open-air, upper-floor restaurants, Cassandra's is the place to do it. The Greek fare is tasty, if a bit overpriced, and a couple of appetizers with a cold beer and a clear view of canoe paddlers in the bay is a great finish to an afternoon. The bar has pool tables and gets rowdy in the later hours.
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Punalu'u Beach Park
Punalu'u Beach Park provides easy access to a pretty little bay with a black-sand beach famous for basking green sea turtles. The turtles are both endangered and very sensitive to human disturbance - don't approach them. Punalu'u is one of the few beaches where rare hawksbill turtles lay their eggs, so take caution not to disturb their sandy nests.
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