Things to do in Hawai'i (The Big Island)
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Café il Mondo
From the outside you'd think you were losing a bet, but this casual Italian restaurant serves some of the island's best pizza. Toss in oven-baked sandwiches, calzones and pasta specials, and you're definitely a winner.
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Super J's
Laulau and kalua pig (cooked traditionally in an underground oven) with cabbage plate lunches are your only options at this old-school Hawaiian take-out food stand. It's south of the 107-mile marker.
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Kiawe Kitchen
This pleasant café with outdoor seating offers dependable versions of shrimp scampi, mahimahi and rib-eye steak, plus thin-crust pizza and Big Island microbrews. It's a local favorite with a friendly atmosphere.
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Big Island Parasailing Experience
by Viator
Soar above the beautiful waters of Hawaii on this exciting Big Island parasailing adventure! Admire incredible views of the Kona Coast as you glide through the…Not LP reviewed
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Hula La's Mexican Kitchen
This food stand will satisfy your Mexican craving with an extensive menu of fresh and yummy plates and à la carte items. Warning: the portions aren't huge and the kitchen's idea of 'greens' is a few leaves.
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Volcano Garden Arts
You see artist Ira Ono's voluptuous masks everywhere. His gallery, Volcano Garden Arts - packed with other artists and including a small 'café' - is central to the recent upswing in the Volcano art scene.
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Dan De Luz's Woods
Dan is a master woodworker who takes native hardwoods such as koa, sandalwood, mango and banyan and crafts gorgeous bowls, platters and furniture. His store is an education, and his workshop is next door.
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Orchid Thai
The place is simple (folding chairs!), but Orchid is without a doubt the Leeward Coast's best Thai. A lunch special includes rice, a veggie summer roll and a dish of your choice. Bring your own alcohol.
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Pahu i'a
For high-class Hawaii regional cuisine in a formal, elegant oceanfront setting, Pahu i'a is the place. Its fresh seafood is harvested from the nearby Nelha project. Reservations are required for dinner.
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Crazy Shirts
This iconic T-shirt company, founded in 1964, offers unique island designs on heavyweight cotton. A Kilauea motif is dyed using volcanic ash, and the Kona Brewing Company line is dyed using…beer!
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Alan's Art & Collectibles
Time travel through Hawai'i's past in Alan's Art & Collectibles, a secondhand shop full of coconut ashtrays, bowling trophies, Elvis posters, record albums, aloha shirts and occasional treasures.
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LuLu's
On an upper floor, open-air LuLu's is large, loud and full of gimmicks. Dollar bills cover the walls and 30 TVs fire away. For a night of scamming and debauchery on the dance floor, head for LuLu's.
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L Zeidman Gallery
Bowls and sculpture made from over 50 types of Hawaiian wood - most of them grown on the Big Island - are on display at L Zeidman Gallery. The craftsmanship standard is high, with prices to match.
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Kohala Rainbow Café
Jen's small café has tasty chicken Caesar salads, good chili and a recommended Greek wrap sandwich with organic greens. Also on the menu are fresh-fruit smoothies, deli sandwiches and soups.
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2400° Fahrenheit
Come early to glass-blowing studio 2400° Fahrenheit and watch artists Michael and Misato Mortara create their mind-boggling glass bowls and vases. A tiny gallery displays finished pieces.
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Teshima Restaurant
Another window on local life is Teshima Restaurant, in Honalo. Families and immigrant coffee pickers have been ordering delicious Japanese comfort food here since the 1940s.
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Pahoa Community Aquatic Center
For swimming, don't miss the gorgeous outdoor Olympic-size pool at Pahoa Community Aquatic Center, behind the Pahoa Neighborhood Facility; it's got nice showers and a separate kids' pool.
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Neptune's Garden Gallery at Last Chance Store
New owners have turned the Last Chance Store into a gallery for their stained glass - much of it whimsical, some of it stunning. They also still carry water, soda, snacks and ice cream.
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Discovery Antiques
Packed with cases of Hawaiian antiques and curiosities, Discovery Antiques is great for a unique find. Keep the kids distracted with locally made ice cream sold right in the store.
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Big Island Candies
Big Island Candies makes stylishly packaged confections and shortbread - watch them hand-dip chocolate from behind picture windows. One visit makes short work of your gift list.
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Sudha's Art Gallery
Run by the longtime chairman of the East Hawai'i Cultural Center, Sudha's Art Gallery sells high-quality paintings, sculpture and woodworking. Upstairs, find secondhand books.
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Hilo Surplus Store
This vintage army surplus store is the place for jungle-grade machetes or a bolt of camouflage Gore-tex. Campers will find rain gear, tents and authentic mess kits.
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Verandah Lounge
The waves crashing against a lava ledge in front of this wraparound bar make for an awesome drinking experience. Live Hawaiian music sets the tone from 18:00 to 21:00 daily.
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Thai Thai Restaurant
Thai Thai Restaurant Inspired by Pele, perhaps, the superior Thai cuisine here is satisfyingly hot and authentic; leftovers make the perfect trail lunch.
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Island Books
Island Books is the best used bookstore for miles, with a good Hawaiiana section and an extremely knowledgeable owner. Move fast or get caught in his enjoyable chatter.
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