Love Big Island
'Ono Grindz
Pronounced Oh-No Grinds.... Grindz is local slang for food, and you’ll see it used a lot on menus. The word is often paired with ‘ono, meaning delicious. Here are a few of our favorite local 'ono grindz.
Huggo's On the Rocks, a casual, toes-in-the-sand restaurant and bar that also showcases some of the most talented musicians from around the island. The menu offers a vast array of refreshing tropical libations and innovative dishes all prepared with the freshest island ingredients. Beautiful sunset location!
https://huggosontherocks.com/
149 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
On the Rocks
75-5824 Kahakai RdHuggo's On the Rocks, a casual, toes-in-the-sand restaurant and bar that also showcases some of the most talented musicians from around the island. The menu offers a vast array of refreshing tropical libations and innovative dishes all prepared with the freshest island ingredients. Beautiful sunset location!
https://huggosontherocks.com/
BEST BURGER on island, perfectly seasoned and char-grilled over lava rocks! Onion Rings are fantastic, go hungry because you won't regret it. It's not much in the way of atmosphere, but the food is "ono-licious". This place is so terrific!
10 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Island Ono Loa Grill
75-5799 Ali‘i DriveBEST BURGER on island, perfectly seasoned and char-grilled over lava rocks! Onion Rings are fantastic, go hungry because you won't regret it. It's not much in the way of atmosphere, but the food is "ono-licious". This place is so terrific!
Delicious island food in the heart of the action in Kailua town. Outdoor dining, live music !!
10 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
A-Bay's on Ali'i
Delicious island food in the heart of the action in Kailua town. Outdoor dining, live music !!
Classic Pub with brewery pub eats. We like the Longboard Island Lauger.
226 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Kona Brewing Company
74-5612 Pawai PlClassic Pub with brewery pub eats. We like the Longboard Island Lauger.
Great for sunset view, good music and good eats.
106 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Papa Kona Restaurant & Bar
75-5770 Ali‘i DrGreat for sunset view, good music and good eats.
This is a new spot on the main drag, it's clean, has great service and super drinks and really good food!!
Cheeky Tiki - Kona
This is a new spot on the main drag, it's clean, has great service and super drinks and really good food!!
This place is always amazing! Situated right on the waterfront in the heart of old Kona town, offering one of the most beautiful restaurant in town. The open air environment with unobstructed sunset views offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a romantic dinner accompanied by the wonderful sounds of waves breaking right in front of the restaurant.
69 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Kona Inn Restaurant
75-5744 Ali‘i DrThis place is always amazing! Situated right on the waterfront in the heart of old Kona town, offering one of the most beautiful restaurant in town. The open air environment with unobstructed sunset views offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a romantic dinner accompanied by the wonderful sounds of waves breaking right in front of the restaurant.
City/town information
The Boiling Pots and Rainbow Falls are easy quick stops on the way into town and worth the view. Kaumana Caves are a fascinating stop (bring a flashlight), less touristy and far better than Thurston tube in Volcano Park. Hilo Farmers market will stock your fridge (bring the cooler). The Farmers Market Cafe on the corner has great poke and in the same location Kula Shave Ice is (in our opinion) the best shave ice on Big Island. A drive through the Liliuokalani Japanese Gardens and along Banyan Drive is also easy and worthwhile. 🤙🏻🏝🌈
120 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Hilo
The Boiling Pots and Rainbow Falls are easy quick stops on the way into town and worth the view. Kaumana Caves are a fascinating stop (bring a flashlight), less touristy and far better than Thurston tube in Volcano Park. Hilo Farmers market will stock your fridge (bring the cooler). The Farmers Market Cafe on the corner has great poke and in the same location Kula Shave Ice is (in our opinion) the best shave ice on Big Island. A drive through the Liliuokalani Japanese Gardens and along Banyan Drive is also easy and worthwhile. 🤙🏻🏝🌈
Neighborhoods
The condo is situated right in the heart of Kailua-Kona, which is the largest town on the west side of the island.
The main street, Ali'i Drive, runs along the oceanfront through the heart of the city. Along the coastline here you'll find a vast array of ocean-side restaurants, grocery stores, shops, and activity huts promoting various water activities in the nearby Kailua Bay. Downtown Kailua-Kona historical sites include the Mokuaikaua Church, the Hulihe'e Palace, and the Ahuena Heiau.
Sunsets viewed from the seawall are almost always spectacular. During the right conditions, the ocean will crash the party and send waves smashing into the bay wall and onto the sidewalks (and unsuspecting tourists)!
Parking within the town can be a challenge, but thankfully all of this activity is a leisurely walk from the condo.
93 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Kailua
The condo is situated right in the heart of Kailua-Kona, which is the largest town on the west side of the island.
The main street, Ali'i Drive, runs along the oceanfront through the heart of the city. Along the coastline here you'll find a vast array of ocean-side restaurants, grocery stores, shops, and activity huts promoting various water activities in the nearby Kailua Bay. Downtown Kailua-Kona historical sites include the Mokuaikaua Church, the Hulihe'e Palace, and the Ahuena Heiau.
Sunsets viewed from the seawall are almost always spectacular. During the right conditions, the ocean will crash the party and send waves smashing into the bay wall and onto the sidewalks (and unsuspecting tourists)!
Parking within the town can be a challenge, but thankfully all of this activity is a leisurely walk from the condo.
Sightseeing
Don't miss seeing the Big Island's magical mantas at night. While there are many reputable companies to choose from, we have personally only gone on the late night snorkel adventure with Kona Style. It departs from the pier, only a short walk from the condo. This experience is worth it!
Kona Style
75-5669 Ali‘i DrDon't miss seeing the Big Island's magical mantas at night. While there are many reputable companies to choose from, we have personally only gone on the late night snorkel adventure with Kona Style. It departs from the pier, only a short walk from the condo. This experience is worth it!
Only a short walk from the condo, winner of the "Best of West Hawaii" Award since 2000. Hawaiʻi Islandʻs only luʻau featuring the presentation of the Royal Court.
A family-friendly evening of delicious Hawaiian food & award winning Polynesian entertainment on the shores of Kamakahonu Bay.
23 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Island Breeze Luau
75-5660 Palani RdOnly a short walk from the condo, winner of the "Best of West Hawaii" Award since 2000. Hawaiʻi Islandʻs only luʻau featuring the presentation of the Royal Court.
A family-friendly evening of delicious Hawaiian food & award winning Polynesian entertainment on the shores of Kamakahonu Bay.
If you make it to this side of the island, be sure to bring the cooler for this stop!
246 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Hilo Farmers Market
Mamo StreetIf you make it to this side of the island, be sure to bring the cooler for this stop!
This one is right up the street, a great place for a picnic!
40 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Old Kona Airport State Recreation Area
75-5560 Kuakini HwyThis one is right up the street, a great place for a picnic!
You'll need a 4 wheel drive with adequate clearance to get in to this beach, but it's worth it!
16 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Kekaha Kai Beach Park
Hawaii 19You'll need a 4 wheel drive with adequate clearance to get in to this beach, but it's worth it!
Don't miss the southern most spot in the United States!
74 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
South Point Park
South Point RoadDon't miss the southern most spot in the United States!
Papakōlea beach is a geologic oddity among few in the world. The green sand is created by a common mineral in Big Island lava called olivine, which stays deposited on this beach because it is heavier than the other components of the lava.
It's quite a hike, so bring plenty of water. If you choose to drive, be sure you have a 4 wheel drive, preferably a JEEP, stay on the "high ground" to the left, as the lower passages closer to the ocean can get quite technical.
43 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Green Sand Beach Trailhead
Papakōlea beach is a geologic oddity among few in the world. The green sand is created by a common mineral in Big Island lava called olivine, which stays deposited on this beach because it is heavier than the other components of the lava.
It's quite a hike, so bring plenty of water. If you choose to drive, be sure you have a 4 wheel drive, preferably a JEEP, stay on the "high ground" to the left, as the lower passages closer to the ocean can get quite technical.
Ukubuka kwesango lasePololu
52-5100 Akoni Pule HwyThis is a beautiful hike!
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
So much to explore!!
Amacebiso ngesixeko
Ukuhamba-hamba
Informative Self Guided Tour
The Big Island is - Big! If you appreciate the freedom of exploring at your own pace and spending more time at places that interest you and bypassing those that don’t, then we highly recommend
Guide Along!!
An easy to use guide that automatically plays a commentary based on your GPS location. Guiding you to all the best things to see and do, with trip planners and suggested half, full and multi day itineraries. You can purchase and download the Big Island guide by searching for Guide Along.
Ukuhamba-hamba
Rent a car... Actually, rent a JEEP!
The condo is relatively close the airport and Uber/Lyft make it just fine. There is a Kona trolley that services the immediate area (schedules are found online under Kona Trolley Roberts Hawaii)
However, experiencing Big Island and all of its adventures is much easier if you rent a vehicle. In our opinion, you are missing out most of our treasured locations if you don't rent a JEEP. Many of the great beaches are best accessed by 4 wheel drive.