Visit Waikoloa: Pueo's Osteria

While staying in Waikoloa, we decided to get take-out from Pueo's Osteria.  

We kept it simple - pizzas, salad, and bread.

Rita Pizza

Short Rib Pizza

House Made Brick Oven Focaccia

Big Island Baby Romaine

The Big Island Baby Romaine salad was like an elevated Caesar, with colatura dressing.  You could really taste the anchovies!

The pizzas were tasty, with quality ingredients and a thin, crispy crust.  I really liked the Rita - San Marzano sauce, mozzarella, basil, and extra virgin olive oil. 

Pueo's Osteria
68-1820 Waikoloa Rd Suite 1201
Waikoloa Village, HI 96738

 

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Visit Kailua-Kona: Mrs. Barry's Kona Cookies

We love stopping at Mrs. Barry's Kona Cookies whenever we're in Kailua-Kona. 

We bought a gift box of shortbread cookies, an assorted mix bag, as well as a bag of our own mix of a dozen cookies.

We chose Ube Coconut Shortbread, Chocolate Chip Macadamia Nut, Chocolate Chipped Macadamia Nut Shortbread, and the Award-Winning Kona Cookie (my fave), which included oatmeal, raisins, chocolate chips, and mac nuts.  The flavor and texture of the cookies are always consistent and tastes so yummy every time. 

Mrs. Barry's Kona Cookies is a must-stop for cookie lovers - and is a great stop for omiyage too!

Mrs. Barry's Kona Cookies
73-5563 Maiau St

Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

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Visit Waikoloa: HiCO Hawaiian Coffee

We stopped a HiCO Hawaiian Coffee for sandwiches.  We got them to go for the drive back to Hilo, so the pics aren't the best . . . 

Truffle Tuna

My friend had the Truffle Tuna and loved it.  From the Sundog sourdough bread to the arugula and Dijon, he was impressed by the sandwich. 

Hashbrown & Bacon Croissant

Although the hashbrown wasn't as crispy as I hoped, the sandwich was so delicious and filling.  I would never have thought to use a pesto mayo on a breakfast sandwich, but it worked!

HiCO Hawaiian Coffee
68-1845 Waikoloa Rd suite 126

Waikoloa Village, HI 96738

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Visit Big Island: Teshima Restaurant

I've always wanted to try Teshima Restaurant, but I am hardly ever on that side of the Big Island.  But as luck would have it, we were invited to go there for breakfast one day while we were in the area.  

Teshima's is a mainstay in Kona.  This historical, family-run restaurant has a long legacy, offering local and Japanese comfort foods to guests.

Saimin and Hash Brown

Whenever I go to these types of restaurants, I order Saimin and French Fries with Gravy.  But there was no French Fries and Gravy on the breakfast menu, so I ordered the next best thing - a Hash Brown!

The saimin was comforting, and although not the best broth I've ever had, the saimin still hit the spot, and I loved the ample garnishes.

Japanese Breakfast

The Japanese Breakfast included Fried Fish, Egg, Fish Cake, Miso Soup, Tsukemono, Sunomono, and Japanese  Tea.

Service was warm and welcoming.

It was such a nice place to dine - you could really feel the aloha!

Teshima Restaurant
79-7251 Hawaiʻi Belt Rd

Kealakekua, HI 96750

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Visit Kailua-Kona: Snow Island Mochi Donuts

We decided to pick up some donuts for colleagues and family from Snow Island, and of course I had to try some for myself!

They had several different flavors of mochi donuts to choose from, and we got one of each plus doubled up on some to make a dozen:  Original, Ube, Strawberry, Chocolate, Cinnamon French Toast, Tiramisu, Haupia, and Matcha. 

They had a great mochi texture and the flavors I tried (Cinnamon French Toast and Chocolate) were delightful. 

I don't eat a lot of mochi donuts (or mochi, or donuts), so I don't have much to compare them to, but I thought they were good.  

The service was very friendly.  They also offer bingsu, drinks, and sandwiches!  

I definitely want to try the bingsu next time!

Snow Island

75-5660 Kopiko St Ste. D6
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

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Visit Kailua-Kona: Poi Dog Deli

We decided to stop at Poi Dog Deli after discovering a sandwich shop we wanted to visit was closed for vacation.  

The place has a super fun vibe and the staff had good energy, but we were disappointed by certain aspects of the food and thought the sandwiches were way overpriced. 

We thought it was cool they serve popcorn with their sandwiches, and even have a toppings bar.

But the popcorn was so extremely salty!  We thought the toppings would tame the saltiness, but it only made it worse.  I'm guessing and hoping this was just an errant batch, because there is no way the popcorn could be that salty on a normal basis. 

Turkey BLT

The Turkey BLT is $17.99 (1/2 a sandwich is $12.99!).  The bacon was nice and crispy and the sandwich was stacked with an ample amount of turkey, tomatoes, and lettuce, but the bread was unfortunately old and stale.  You could kind of tell by just looking at it, but biting into it was another story.  I ended up taking off the bread and using the lettuce to make a wrap.  If the bread was fresh and soft it would've made a world of difference.  

Pastrami Said There'd Be Days Like This

My friend had the Pastrami special (also $17.99), and said the pastrami was too salty.  

Cheesy Corn Bread

The Cheesy Corn Bread was not very cheesy, but the corn bread itself was sweet and moist.

Maybe we should've ordered salads like we saw so many others doing.  

Would I go again?  Yes.  Why?  Because of the friendly and welcoming staff.  They have an $11.99 lunch special that is a great value that I would try, and hopefully the popcorn is not so salty next time.

Poi Dog Deli
75-1022 Henry St

Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

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Visit Kona: Kona Sea Salt

Kona Sea Salt offers tours for those interested in the salt-making process.  As part of Naʻau, we got an abbreviated tour with Melanie, Chief Salt Maker, who graciously spent time explaining the process as well as the history of the salt farm.

 

We started the tour with a refreshing glass of water and some of their Magnesium Drops, which we learned was produced during the salt-making process.

The location of the farm allows Kona Sea Salt to access nutrient-rich sea water 2200 feet deep.  

It was very interesting to learn how different salt crystals were produced during the drying process, how long it takes, as well as the production of nigari (what is used to make tofu).

The heat was intense, so if you have an umbrella (or even a neck fan), it's highly recommended!

Kona Sea Salt offers all sorts of salts and magnesium products in their store or online.

We didn't have time for a salt tasting or a foot soak, but hopefully next time!

Kona Sea Salt

73-907 Makako Bay Dr

Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

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Visit Hawaiʻi Island: The Keaʻau Deli

@mt_view_brad was the one who influenced me to try The Keaʻau Deli, and I finally got to go after a meeting in the area.

Chicken and Pesto

I had the Chicken and Pesto sandwich.  It was enormous, but the chicken was a little too dry, and I would have preferred the foccacia to be thinner (I had to eat it open-faced because it was just too much bread).  However, I did like the texture of the bread and the flavor of the pesto (I wish they mixed more in with the chicken - it was so yummy!).  

Ham and Brie

Caesar

They had a Caesar made with Brussels sprouts which was delish!  My friend liked the dressing, and I wish they offered it in a bigger size!

Mac Nut Brownie

Breads used for the sandwiches and baked goods available at the deli are made by nearby The Big Island Bakehouse!

They had so many great looking sandwiches (and the breakfast sandwiches were all gone by the time we arrived), and the employees were so friendly!  

I definitely look forward to returning to try more items.  
 
The Keaʻau Deli
16-566 Keaau-Pahoa Rd Unit #199

Keaʻau, HI 96749

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Visit Big Island: Countryside Cafe

Countryside Cafe is a great breakfast option near Hilo.  Located in Kea‘au, this eatery offers a nice variety of all-day options sure to satisfy (fun fact: they have a Wai‘anae location, which I visited 8 years ago!).

Corned Beef Hash Loco Moco

I had the Corned Beef Hash Loco Moco with Fried Rice.

It was very tasty and filling.  The corned beef hash patty was nice and crispy, just the way I like it, and they smothered it with gravy.

My friend liked the burger and appreciated that it was housemade.

Mushroom & Onion Burger

Service was warm and friendly, and some of the best I've experienced anywhere. 

I highly recommend Countryside Cafe as a breakfast option near Hilo! 

Countryside Cafe
16-586 Old Volcano Road

Keaau, HI 96749

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Visit Kona: Big Island Abalone

If you're looking for something interesting and educational to do while on the Kona coast, book a tour with Big Island Abalone!  

We were hosted for a tour as part of Na‘au, and there turned out to be several tourists who joined the tour, and they were very interested in abalone, asking a lot of questions and taking lots of pictures!

We learned about how the access to deep sea water and the abundance of sunlight creates an ideal environment for abalone production.  Big Island Abalone produces over 100 tons of abalone a year!

We saw lots of live abalone of all different sizes.

Big Island Abalone producers Ezo abalone, a type of abalone found off the Hokkaido coast, and they feed on dulse, which Big Island Abalone also produces.

At the end of the tour, we got to taste some abalone.

During the week, they have a truck from which you can order abalone dishes!

Big Island Abalone
73-357 Makako Bay Dr

Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

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Visit Big Island: Honoka‘a Chocolate Co. Factory

If you love chocolate as much as I do, be sure to check out the Honoka‘a Chocolate Co. Factory when on the Big Island!  Having recently opened in Honoka`a, the factory store is an extension of the Kahi Ola Mau farm, where the owners grow the cacao and do tours.  

At the factory store is where the production of the chocolate takes place.  Honoka‘a Chocolate Co. is a true bean-to-bar entity, producing award-winning chocolate from their own cacao, in addition to various local cacao growers, as well as utilizing cacao from other countries.  They even incorporate spirits into some of the bars!

Visit the factory, and you'll get to sample the 9 varieties of chocolate they produce on a regular basis.

I am a milk chocolate person, so I was thrilled that they just launched a Milk Chocolate Bar.  It's so creamy and indulgent.  But their dark chocolate bars are great too.  Many that I've had from other brands are just too bitter, but Honoka‘a Chocolate Co.'s dark bars are just so smooth!

With each sample, we could taste the varying nuances, and a handy chart helps to distinguish the flavor notes.

True, quality chocolate offers a depth of flavors, and Honoka‘a Chocolate Co. crafts premium, quality chocolate.

Honoka‘a Chocolate Co. ships for just $10 FedEx, and also offers a subscription box which includes specialty bars.

Honoka‘a Chocolate Co. Factory Store

45-3587 Mamane St

Honoka‘a, HI 96727

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Visit Hilo: `Akaka Falls State Park

I visited `Akaka Falls State Park for the first time.  I honestly thought you could just park and see the Falls immediately, but it turns out there's a little hike to see the Falls!

Parking and admission are free for kama`aina.

An attendant helps direct cars to parking stalls and places to park if all stalls are occupied, which is super helpful because it can get super crowded.

Once you park and pay any fee (or show your kama`aina ID for free entrance), you then begin the short hike.

It's a pleasant, easy .4 mille hike through a rainforest, and if you follow the arrows, you'll first come across Kahuna Falls, and eventually make your way to the amazing `Akaka Falls.  

The trail is paved for the most part, with a few stairs throughout.  I had no idea you had to walk to get to the falls, as I showed up in slippers, so that should tell you how easy the trail is.

It's a lovely hike through ferns, bamboo, and all sorts of foliage.

Kahuna Falls

`Akaka Falls is quite impressive.  The 442 feet waterfall was roaring due to previous heavy rains, and it was a stunning sight.

If you are short on time you can always go in the opposite direction of the arrows to view `Akaka Falls first (and only), but the entire loop takes an average of just 15-20 minutes, depending on how quickly you walk and how often you stop to take photos.  

`Akaka Falls

`Akaka Falls State Park

875 `Akaka Falls Road

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