Guidebook for the Big Island

Lori And Ken
Lori And Ken
Guidebook for the Big Island

Food Scene - recommended to check on-line first about current status, before you head over.

Located East Hawaii
Volcano village. Probably the best Thai Food restaurant on the island. Locally owned and operated. A very pleasant dining room and take-out also. It gets busy, so you may want to make reservations ahead.
68 personas locales recomiendan
Thai Thai Bistro and Bar
19-4084 Old Volcano Rd
68 personas locales recomiendan
Volcano village. Probably the best Thai Food restaurant on the island. Locally owned and operated. A very pleasant dining room and take-out also. It gets busy, so you may want to make reservations ahead.
Luau plate is great. Pancakes are gigantic. The waffle is fabulous (make sure it is crispy and warm). Hours have changed since 2020 lockdowns. You may want to call to check if they are open.
18 personas locales recomiendan
Kuhio Grille - Home Of The Famous 1lb Laulau
80 Pauahi Street
18 personas locales recomiendan
Luau plate is great. Pancakes are gigantic. The waffle is fabulous (make sure it is crispy and warm). Hours have changed since 2020 lockdowns. You may want to call to check if they are open.
240 personas locales recomiendan
Kaleo's Bar & Grill
15-2969 Pahoa Village Rd
240 personas locales recomiendan
A local favorite in Hilo.
139 personas locales recomiendan
Cafe Pesto - Hilo
308 Kamehameha Ave
139 personas locales recomiendan
A local favorite in Hilo.
A nice dine-in restaurant in Hilo. Good local food, especially breakfast.
14 personas locales recomiendan
Coconut Grill
136 Banyan Way
14 personas locales recomiendan
A nice dine-in restaurant in Hilo. Good local food, especially breakfast.
The only breakfast place in Keaau also happens to be a good choice for breakfast and lunch. No dinner hours. Closes at 1pm.
Countryside Cafe
16-586 Old Volcano Road
The only breakfast place in Keaau also happens to be a good choice for breakfast and lunch. No dinner hours. Closes at 1pm.
Good food. Really nice covered outdoor seating, right in downtown Hilo. A local favorite.
128 personas locales recomiendan
Pineapples Restaurant
332 Keawe St
128 personas locales recomiendan
Good food. Really nice covered outdoor seating, right in downtown Hilo. A local favorite.
PEPPERCORN SPICE HOUSE -Asian fusion cuisine in a pleasant restaurant setting. Family owned and operated - using some of their own fresh, home grown veggies.
16-569 Old Volcano Rd, Keaau, HI 96749, EE. UU.
PEPPERCORN SPICE HOUSE -Asian fusion cuisine in a pleasant restaurant setting. Family owned and operated - using some of their own fresh, home grown veggies.
Visit a local meadery for mead tasting, mead products, honey, beeswax and gifts. Add this stop to make your day special- and turn a rainy day into one of your best days.
Big Island Meadery
Visit a local meadery for mead tasting, mead products, honey, beeswax and gifts. Add this stop to make your day special- and turn a rainy day into one of your best days.

Essentials

This is the closest supermarket. There is a smaller package store and a 7-11 in Kurtistown.
52 personas locales recomiendan
Foodland Kea`au
16-586 Old Volcano Rd
52 personas locales recomiendan
This is the closest supermarket. There is a smaller package store and a 7-11 in Kurtistown.
11 personas locales recomiendan
7-Eleven
4809 Volcano Rd
11 personas locales recomiendan
For just about anything you need. Get a taste of a local package store. This is NOT 7-11.
7 personas locales recomiendan
J Hara Store
17-343 Volcano Rd
7 personas locales recomiendan
For just about anything you need. Get a taste of a local package store. This is NOT 7-11.
Full supermarket in Hilo that is family run.
88 personas locales recomiendan
Hilo KTA Super Stores
50 E Puainako St
88 personas locales recomiendan
Full supermarket in Hilo that is family run.

Everything Else

Only open on Sunday 8am -2pm. This is a fairly large market with local produce and plants, great food booths, lunch trucks, local crafts and international imports. Two dollar entrance fee. Uneven gravel surface to walk on, so wear appropriate footwear. Cash is good. Some venders take credit cards.
169 personas locales recomiendan
Mercado de agricultores de Maku'u
15-2131 Keaau-Pahoa Rd
169 personas locales recomiendan
Only open on Sunday 8am -2pm. This is a fairly large market with local produce and plants, great food booths, lunch trucks, local crafts and international imports. Two dollar entrance fee. Uneven gravel surface to walk on, so wear appropriate footwear. Cash is good. Some venders take credit cards.
If you are fascinated by orchids, this is the place you will get your fill of an amazing variety. On your way to or from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, it is easy to make a stop here.
46 personas locales recomiendan
Akatsuka Orchid Gardens
11-3051 Volcano Rd
46 personas locales recomiendan
If you are fascinated by orchids, this is the place you will get your fill of an amazing variety. On your way to or from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, it is easy to make a stop here.
Gets cool at night especially in the winter. A great place to eat or shop after an excursion to the Volcanoes National Park
71 personas locales recomiendan
Volcano
71 personas locales recomiendan
Gets cool at night especially in the winter. A great place to eat or shop after an excursion to the Volcanoes National Park
Book store and gift shop. Been in Hilo forever. They are the only place you can purchase the topographical map that is on the wall in Koki Kottage.
6 personas locales recomiendan
Basically Books
334 Kilauea Avenue
6 personas locales recomiendan
Book store and gift shop. Been in Hilo forever. They are the only place you can purchase the topographical map that is on the wall in Koki Kottage.

Sightseeing

Mauna Kea visitor center at 9,000 feet elevation. Check online for current hours and best nights to visit when there are telescopes available for visitors to use.
Call ahead to find out weather and viewing conditions. 935-6260 or 935-6268. The Information Station is open 12pm to 10pm every day. Interpretive guides to answer questions. Rest rooms. Snacks and water. Free Stargazing program is open on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday evenings from 6pm to 10pm, weather permitting. It's really cold up there, so bring sweatshirts and jackets, scarves and gloves if you want to stay for sunset and after. Parking is limited, so get there before sunset. Once the parking lot is filled, cars will be turned away.
11 personas locales recomiendan
First Light Bookstore
Mauna Kea Access Road
11 personas locales recomiendan
Call ahead to find out weather and viewing conditions. 935-6260 or 935-6268. The Information Station is open 12pm to 10pm every day. Interpretive guides to answer questions. Rest rooms. Snacks and water. Free Stargazing program is open on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday evenings from 6pm to 10pm, weather permitting. It's really cold up there, so bring sweatshirts and jackets, scarves and gloves if you want to stay for sunset and after. Parking is limited, so get there before sunset. Once the parking lot is filled, cars will be turned away.
Bring your warm clothing - socks, scarves, jacket, hat, etc. if you are going to the top at 13,000 feet elevation. Check online for best visiting nights and hours of operation.
161 personas locales recomiendan
Mauna Kea
161 personas locales recomiendan
Bring your warm clothing - socks, scarves, jacket, hat, etc. if you are going to the top at 13,000 feet elevation. Check online for best visiting nights and hours of operation.
Great place for your picnic lunch while you are in Hilo.
67 personas locales recomiendan
Coconut Island
67 personas locales recomiendan
Great place for your picnic lunch while you are in Hilo.
50 personas locales recomiendan
Manta Ray Dives of Hawaii
74-380 Kealakehe Pkwy
50 personas locales recomiendan
One of several botanical gardens on the east side of the Big Island
192 personas locales recomiendan
Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden
27-717 Mamalahoa Hwy
192 personas locales recomiendan
One of several botanical gardens on the east side of the Big Island
This Japanese styled park developed in the 1920's is a wonderful place to watch the sunrise, walk around at your own pace, or enjoy a picnic lunch. From here you can cross the foot bridge to Coconut island.
103 personas locales recomiendan
Parque y Jardines Liliuokalani
189 Lihiwai St
103 personas locales recomiendan
This Japanese styled park developed in the 1920's is a wonderful place to watch the sunrise, walk around at your own pace, or enjoy a picnic lunch. From here you can cross the foot bridge to Coconut island.

Farmers Market

Open on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Tropical fruits and veggies, some plate lunches, local crafts, imports, stuff you won't find in stores.
246 personas locales recomiendan
Hilo Farmers Market
Mamo Street
246 personas locales recomiendan
Open on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Tropical fruits and veggies, some plate lunches, local crafts, imports, stuff you won't find in stores.
Large farmers market and local crafts and goods. Food trucks. $2/car entrance fee. Sunday only, 7 am - 2 pm.
169 personas locales recomiendan
Mercado de agricultores de Maku'u
15-2131 Keaau-Pahoa Rd
169 personas locales recomiendan
Large farmers market and local crafts and goods. Food trucks. $2/car entrance fee. Sunday only, 7 am - 2 pm.
A pleasant 1 mile loop trail that is great in the morning for bird watching (bring binoculars) or any time of the day for a forest walk. Bring lunch and eat at the picnic tables. Located in Volcano.
7 personas locales recomiendan
Bird Park
Mauna Loa Road
7 personas locales recomiendan
A pleasant 1 mile loop trail that is great in the morning for bird watching (bring binoculars) or any time of the day for a forest walk. Bring lunch and eat at the picnic tables. Located in Volcano.

Beach Time

Sunset at Geothermal Hot Ponds
You need to park your car and hike into this pristine little beach. It is worth the 2-1/2 mile, almost level hike along the coastline, because you may even get the whole beach to yourself. Nice white sand, tide pools and swimming. Bring whatever you may need, as there are no facilities provided.
HA'ENA BEACH (Shipman's)
You need to park your car and hike into this pristine little beach. It is worth the 2-1/2 mile, almost level hike along the coastline, because you may even get the whole beach to yourself. Nice white sand, tide pools and swimming. Bring whatever you may need, as there are no facilities provided.

Food scene

Great food and very nice atmosphere.
55 personas locales recomiendan
Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill Hilo
64 Keawe St
55 personas locales recomiendan
Great food and very nice atmosphere.
Nice atmosphere and excellent Japanese cuisine.
12 personas locales recomiendan
Sakura Sushi & Grill
200 Kanoelehua Ave
12 personas locales recomiendan
Nice atmosphere and excellent Japanese cuisine.