GROCERIES:

Kamigaki Market in Kealakekua - good prices, even sometimes in beer & wine (up Napo’opo’o Road, left towards Kailua, look for sign on right)  

Choice Mart in Capt. Cook is good also. Maybe five minutes closer (Napo’opo’o Road, right towards Volcano, left turn past Post Office..Ace Hardware & Choice Mart in shopping center up hill)  

Costco (north of Kailua-Kona, before airport) is hard to beat for your big shopping.  Or, from airport go South towards Kailua-K for Safeway, turn right at Border’s Books, then left (past Walmart).  

HIKES/WALKS/BEACHES/SITES:  

Napo’opo’o Village…WALKING is pleasant along the roads through the village and along the water.  For longer walks/jogs go south along Beach Road in the early morning.  You will find yourself  in the company of many like minded locals.  After a few mornings you’ll feel like one too.  It’s 3 miles to the wider paved road near City of Refuge, and about 4 miles to the park entry, or on the side road to Honaunau and Two Step (see Beaches below).  

Ramp ½ block from house on way to Manini Beach…great place to launch kayak or enter water to snorkel or swim.  Spring fed Queens pool…safe for young keikis (kids) when waters are calm.  Lots of fish & occasional turtles.  

Napoopoo Beach…3 blocks north, rocky with cleared out sandy areas, good entry for swimming when water is calm.   Great spots among the lava boulders for sitting and sunbathing.  

Manini Beach…One block from house…white coral beach with tall palms, picnic   tables, serene and historic.  Look across bay to Captain Cook Monument.  Beautiful swimming and snorkeling.  You’ll see a few local surfers there in the winter when the surf’s up.  

Ke’ei Beach…15 minute WALK or short DRIVE (bumpy..almost 4 wheel drive)  White sandy beach.  Tide pools, keiki pond (except at high tide), snorkeling, shade, known surf break.  Swimming hole is fantastic natural pool, cemented in on one end,  in lava 10 minutes south along waterfront on lava.  Go south on Beach Road (Pu’uhonua  Road), past paved road on right, past first dirt road on right.  Take second dirt road to right, follow it, curving south towards ocean.  Lots of nice picnic spots on the way, with parking.  Keep going to end of road, then walk south to beach.  Walk another 10 minutes south to swimming hole (too deep for small kids!)  

TRY NOT TO MISS THIS LOCAL BEACH.. You will be the only visitor from afar.  

Two-Steps (Honaunau)…10 minute DRIVE to the south.   South on Beach Road, right turn approx. 3 miles, wind down to water area before boat launch.  Great for snorkeling.  Easy entry into water from lava shelves.  

City of Refuge…Historic ancient village located in Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Park, DRIVE 4 miles to the south.  South through the park entry takes you to Honaunau picnic area.  Barbeques, water and toilets, great sunsets.  Lava tube a 15 minute walk to the south along trail to rock ramp (past grates sealing off caves containing ancient bones).   Up ramp to tube..watch your head!  It is totally dark for only a few seconds, tube takes about 1 minute.  You’ll end up about 15-20 feet over the water.  Jump at your own risk, but be certain the surge will allow you to get out around the point to the north.  Or if it’s too hard you can swim North to beach-like area across cove.  Best to walk back out again!

DRIVE to Painted Church…A mile from City of Refuge, a beautiful church painted inside (they had no funds for stained glass), lovely gardens.  

Hookena Beach…15 minute DRIVE south (between the 101 and 102 mile markers).  Go along Beach Road to wider paved highway, up hill to Hwy. 11 and south towards Volcano.  Look for sign on the right.  Gray sandy beach, safe break for boogie boarding, good swimming, snorkeling, camping.  Lots of shade, showers, picnic tables & bathrooms too!  (And lots of long-term campers on beach)  

HIKE to Captain Cook monument…DRIVE to the trail, near the intersection of Napoopoo Road and Highway 11 (the trailhead is a little over 1/10 mile from the highway across from 3 large palm trees).  The trail is wide (a former road), and about 2 miles each way with a 1,300 foot constant descent to the water.  It will take close to an hour down, and longer back up.  Take snorkel gear, food and lots of water.  WEAR GOOD SHOES..NOT FLIP FLOPS  There are old walls and remains of an ancient village as well as the monument and the best snorkeling on the island.  

DRIVE to Miloli’i  Beach Park, HIKE to Honomalino Bay.  Take the winding one lane paved road just south of the 89 mile marker.  This is a very local place, and it is a courtesy to leave it to the locals on weekends and holidays.  Park and take the trail heading south along the waterfront, through the tide pools.  Ignore the “private” signs, access to the trail is public.  You’ll regain the trail at the back of the sand and palm trees at the south end of Miloli’i.  This beach is public also, but not too appealing with the “keep out” signs.  You will have a 20 minute walk south to a beautiful and secluded black and white sand beach.  Swimming is good when calm.  Carry food and water.  There are a few homes here, accessed by this trail or a torturous 4 wheel drive private road.

EATING OUT:  We don’t do much, but can recommend a few local places:

Harbor House is an especially great stop if you’re picking someone up at the airport in mid-day.  Perfect for the coldest beer on the island and a gentle introduction to Hawaii.  Great burgers, fish and fries.  Going south from airport, between 97 and 98 mile markers, turn right to Honokohau Harbor.  Take the first right, then second left to restaurant.  (THEN, once you’re fortified,  back North to Costco for your major food shopping)

Kona Brewing Co. if you’re in town (Kailua).  Terrific pizza, lunch and dinners.  Great local beer.  The only place on the island you can get their lilikoi beer.  Try it with their Thai chicken pizza..mmmm!  Palani Drive & Kuakini Highway.

HUGGOS ON THE ROCKS!  Love this place.  Pu pu’s (appetizers) and beer or hard liquor on the sand, edged by lava and the ocean.  Perfect for sunsets, get there early and enjoy.  Every evening they feature local groups and dancers.  Next door is their much more expensive (and reportedly fine) restaurant.  Parking across street and to the south on Alii Drive in dirt parking lot.  

The banana bread shop in Captain Cook.  Go south towards Capt. Cook, it’ll be on your right, before town, with a big banana bread and coffee sign.  Great bread by the loaf, and immense sandwiches to go.

THE COFFEE SHACK is a not to miss for breakfast or lunch.  Overlooks Kealakekua Bay, great photo opportunity!  Food is terrific, dining on the covered deck is a wonderful experience.  On ocean side of highway in Captain Cook, just past the 109 mile marker.  Everyone’s favorite!

KEEI CAFÉ  Great food, reservations a must.  Upper Kealakekua area.

SHOPPING

Kailua-Kona has it all, but local towns are very appealing.  Kainaliu (I’ve yet to see the town sign) is north of Kealakekua.  You’ll see the highway lined with shops on either side.  Oshima Bros. is a wonderful hardware-drug-grocery AND dime store!

Very local and fun to browse.  In Kealakekua,  Kimura’s has beautiful Hawaiian fabrics.  Great to take home, or to make your own economy pareu.  If you spot Island Framing Co. in Kealakekua (ocean side of road, sits alone), it has very nice gift items.

DON’T MISS:  Island Night at Keauhou Shopping Center.  Every Friday night a local dance school has a free performance with kids from age two to adults.  An excellent hour of Hawaiian and other South Pacific dancing.  Kamehameha III Hwy.  between mile markers 116 and 117.

NEW HIKE!  We just walked from Honaunau to Hookena.  Start from the park (City of Refuge picnic area), over the 1871 trail which goes over the lava tube.  Keep going and after a few minutes you’ll pass through the park boundary gate.  

The hike took about a hour and 15 minutes, level all the way.

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