We hopped over the the Big Island, HI this past Monday and have been nonstop ever since. We've spent the first part of our time here exploring all things Volcano, past and present. I, as always, did manage to get to a few noteworthy shopping and dining spots along the way.
After arriving at the airport in Kona, we decided we would road trip around the entire northern part of the island and end up at our new lodging spot the for the next couple days- a cabin on an organic farm. This route is one of the most interesting and beautiful drives you can do here, and we were not disappointed! I added a basic little map for some perspective :)
First on the agenda was a hearty breakfast and I started researching our options immediately. The best local spot on route mentioned online and by word of mouth was a little spot called Dave's Plate Lunch. (From the fancy to the non-fancy restaurants, most menus in Hawaiian restaurants have a "plate lunch." Often it just means some kind of meat entree, rice, and veggies.) Dave's was not far off the highway, but was a little hard to find. It's nestled behind an auto-shop and a post office in Waikoloa Village. It's just a little wooden shack, but the minute you walk in, you realize why tourists and locals are flocking to this place. You're greeted by the owner, who tells you first to relax and then shares with you about his simple Hawaiian menu. Sitting next to us were families from Italy and Houston, Texas, that flocked to Dave's when disappointed by their overpriced resort breakfasts.
Upon reading reviews online of Dave's after our experience, I realize that some families drove 20 miles everyday of their stay from their resort to have a yummy and cheap breakfast at Dave's! His ingredients are all local and the coffee especially was good and cheap - 100% Kona Coffee (lots of coffee farms in this area of Hawaii, so you must try some when here).
To give you an idea:
Resort coffee only = $6.50
My entire Dave's breakfast + coffee & OJ = $6.50
After our hearty breakfast, we drove up to the northern most part of the Big Island and stopped in a historic, cozy town, called Hawi. I gravitated towards a particular shop because of it's name, 4joi. To my delight, this shop was stocked with lots of vintage fabric, locally made clothing and accessories, sewing supplies, and an enticing closet of vintage dresses. The employees were especially warm and nice, and I had a blast exploring this little shop.
The business cards were encased individually in little fabric pouches made with scrap fabric - very memorable and personal. I've been keeping all the other new cards I've picked up in my little pouch :)
After walking around the rest of Hawi, we hopped in our car and, rolled down our windows, and embarked on one of the most beautiful drives I've ever seen (pictures to come!). If you ever road trip Hawaii, wear layers as the elevations and climate changes so much over a short period of time.
We arrived at our cabin for the next couple of days, hidden on an organic farm in the Puna District. We were quite off the grid there, and sometimes that is the best medicine! We were excited to receive fresh fruits and veggies by our hosts. We cooked yummy breakfasts and dinners, drank fresh fruit cocktails, and woke up to the sounds of the rain forests.
our cabin balcony :)
While staying in this area, we spent our days exploring the nearby Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. It is quite overwhelming to even explain seeing and experiencing this in person. Two Volcanoes are very much still active. We ventured out to see Kalapana, a town partially destroyed by lava flow from Kilauea volcano in 1990. On route to this ghost town, we were surprised to encounter, beautiful beaches, breathtaking views of the coastline, warm lava pools (natural hot tubs), and incredible beach homes. It was not what I expected to see in the surrounding areas of this destructive lava flow. Then, hidden in the trees, I of course spotted a little shop!
We pulled in to Kalani, and oceanside retreat with good food and a vast selection of spa treatments. We received a warm welcome, as I checked out the little shop of aloha wear and accessories. We then snacked on locally made sorbet and ice cream. There was a beautiful lanai, where we soaked up the scenery and enjoyed our cold treats.
What a great little pit stop on our way to Kalapana. After experiencing the jolting scene of a young ghost town, we continued on to our next area of this Big Island.
Mahalo,
-Erin
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Dave's Plate Lunch
4joi
Kalani
http://www.kalani.com/
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
http://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm
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