When arriving to the Island of Hawai'i (The Big Island), Tai doesn't need to worry about a rental car, but you do! Rent from your favorite company or boost the local economy by giving Turo a try. Any car will do, but if you have some spare change, opt for a 4x4.

On with my daily life...

Knowing that there are 10 of the world's 14 microclimates on the Big Island, I plan accordingly. However, a little rain and wind never stops me from exploring.

For breakfast, I love to go to the Hawaiian Style Cafe at 65-1290 Kawaihae Rd Waimea, HI. While I wait for my table, I run across the street to Waimea Coffee Company, located at 65-1279 Kawaihae Rd Waimea, HI to enjoy some of the best coffee the island has to offer.

After I finish my delicious breakfast, I head to the beach. There are numerous beaches near by, Beach 69 and Hapuna State Beach Recreation Area, both on Old Puako Rd. 'Anaeho'omalu Beach (A-Bay) at Waikoloa Village, HI and Spencer Beach Park. There are also great beaches at Mauna Lani, Mauna Kea, and The Fairmont Orchid.

After the beach I usually feel a little hungry. If I went to A-Bay, I will go grab a bite to eat at one of the numerous restaurants at The King and Queen Shops in Waikoloa Village, HI. Sometimes, I will head back up into the mountains and grab a bite to eat at Ippy's Hawaiian BBQ at 64-1067 Mamalahoa Hwy, Waimea, HI.

If I am feeling adventurous, I will head to Kona town... There, there are numerous places to eat. One of my absolute favorites is Nephi's Smokehouse at 74-5565 Luhia St Suite 109, Kailua-Kona, HI. If they are too busy or closed, their next door neighbor Broke Da Mouth Grindz is BUSSIN' too!

Black Rock Pizza at Coconut Grove Market Place 75-5813 Ali'i Dr #H is the best pizza in all of the islands. In fact, their breadsticks are better than the pizza you eat at home. I come prepared with an appetite. Hands down a D&T favorite!

After eating I may decide to walk off some of those calories while exploring Ali'i Drive. There are all sorts of shops, ice cream, dole whip, and shave ice along this Kailua-Kona Strip.

By this time, I am missing the beach again. Now, there are plenty of beaches along Ali'i Drive that I could visit, however, I am going to tell you about Makalawena Beach! It is a bit of a hike over a trail cut out of the lava rock, but it is worth it. Many tourists aren't willing to make the necessary effort to get there, so when you do, the beach will fill like your very own. To get there you will have to drive down a very rocky road (I did it in a Versa, so can you) and park at Kekaha Kai State Beach. While walking the beach there, to get to the lava rock trail that never ends, you may have an opportunity to see a Hawaiian Monk Seal. Keep your distance, as they are very protected.

Finally, after my strenuous day eating and beaching, it is time to eat again. I usually head back to Ali'i Drive to enjoy dinner and the sunset. Papa Kona Restaurant at 75-5770 Ali'i Drive is usually my first choice. However, I also enjoy grabbing some fish and chips with a virgin pina colada at the Kona Inn Restaurant located at 75-5774 Ali' Drive.

Other times, eating and watching the sunset on land isn't quite enough. That is when I book the Historical Dinner Cruise to Kealakekua Bay. It is hosted by Body Glove. The food is fantastic, the views are fantastic, and the hosts are even better. I am not a heathen, so I do not participate in the night life. However, there are plenty of bars with live music and/or DJs all along Ali'i Drive. They will serve you drinks for as long as you pay!

The next morning I wake up and think, "Dang, I really need some energy!" So I take myself on a Kona Coffee tastings tour. I can usually get to 3 of them in one morning. Some of my favorites are, Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation, Buddha's Cup Coffee & Tea, and Kona Joe Coffee. Another great option is Kona Coffee Living History Farm where you can stroll through a historic farm that tells the story of Kona's coffee pioneers during the early 20th century. It is the only living history coffee farm in the nation and it is in the top ten percent of Farms and History Museums in the world. I personally don't go there, because learning is dumb.

After I grab all of the coffees I can, I love to go snorkel at the home where my grandfather was raised, Honaunau Bay at 84-5771 Honaunau Beach Rd Captain Cook, HI.

When the snorkeling is done, I have no idea what else I am going to do... so look at the list below.

Where To Eat:

Kailua-Kona:

Black Rock Pizza *D&T Favorite*

Coconut Grove Market place

75-5813 Ali’I Dr Unit H

Kai Eats and Drinks

75-5776 Ali’I Dr

Papa Kona Restaruant *D&T Favorite*

The Waterfront Row

75-5770 Ali’I Dr 1 st Floor

Kona Inn Restaurant (yummy Piña Colada’s with or without the rum)

75-5744 Ali’I Dr

Ola Brew Co (Better in Hilo)

74-5598 Luhia St

Nephi's Smokehouse *T Favorite* (Closes@2:30PM)

74-5565 Luhia St #109

Broke Da Mouth Grindz

74-5565 Luhia St

Pine Tree Cafe

73-4040 Hulikoa Dr

Waimea:

Hawaiian Style Café *D&T Favorite*

Yummy breakfast from Loco Moco to Banana mac nut giant pancakes!! Only open from 7a to 3 p

65-1290 Kawaihae Rd

Waimea Coffee Company *T Favorite*

65-1279 Kawaihae Rd

FORC Restaurant

Farm to table, local beef

65-1214 Lindsey Rd

Merriman’s Waimea *D&T Favorite*

Farm to table pre course meals with a wonderful Mai Tai with Whipped Lilikoi

65-1227 Opelo Rd B

Kohala Burger and Taco

613665 Akoni Pule Hwy

Seafood Bar and Grill *D&T Favorite*

Where Tai and Daisy had their pre engagement meal-close to the water

61-3642 Kawaihae Rd

Island Hopper Tap Room (close to Fairmont)

68-1330 Mauna Lani Dr #108

Tommy Bahama’s Bar and Restaurant *D Favorite* (close to Fairmont)

68-1330 Mauna Lani Dr #102

Ippy's Hawaiian BBQ *D&T Favorite*

64-1067 Mamalahoa Hwy

Waikioloa/Waikioloa Village:

Lava Lava Beach Club

69-1081 Ku’uali’I Pl.

ABay’s Island Grill

250 Waikioloa Beach Dr #106 ( in the King’s shops)

Foster’s Kitchen Waikoloa

69-250 Waikoloa Beach Dr Ste C01

Queen’s shops Food Court

(Island Greens, Dairy Queen *T Favorite*, L&L Hawaiian BBQ, Waikoloa Shrimp Co, Waikioloa Pizza)

Hilo:

Pineapples Island Fresh Cuisine *D&T Favorite*

332 Kaewe St

Ola Brew Co *D Favorite*

1177 Kilauea Ave

Zippy's and Napolean's Bakery *T Favorite*

111 E Puainako St

Must Haves and Dos:

Punalu'u Bake Shop *D&T Favorite*

95-5642 Mamalahoa Hwy

Naalehu, HI

Punalu'u Bake Shop is quite a trek along the coast, headed south from Kona. While down there you should visit Punalu'u Beach, a black sand beach where you are almost guaranteed to see a Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle. The bake shop is also a great place to stop if you are headed to the most southern point in the U.S. or to Papakolea Beach, one of four green sand beaches on the planet.

Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, HI 96718

Waterfalls:

Rainbow Falls, Akaka Falls, Umauma Falls, Kulaniapia Falls, Pe'epe'e Falls, Hi'ilawe Falls, Onomea Falls, Nanue Falls, Hanapueo Falls, Waiulili Falls

Some are easy to get to, some are not. Do a little research and you can see most of these falls in one nice scenic drive.

Beaches:

Beach 69

Old Puako Rd.

Hapuna State Beach Recreation Area *D&T Favorite*

Old Puako Rd

Best traditional beach with lots of sand and on most days some decent surf.

Spencer Beach Park

Also with some historic trails

Holoholokai Beach Park

Holoholokai Beach Park Rd, Waimea HI

Rocky shoreline with picnic facilities

‘Anaeho’omalu Beach (A-Bay)

Waikoloa Village HI

Kekaha Kai State beach parks

HI-19 Kailua-Kona HI

Makalawena Beach *D&T Favorite*

HI 19, Kailua Kona HI

Within Kakaha Kai State Parks-it’s a 2.7 mile hike so be prepared but the beaches

are gorgeous!

Magic Sands Beach

Ali’I Drive, Kailua-Kona HI

Kahalu’u Beach Park

Ali’s Drive, Kailua-Kona HI

Ho’okena Beach Park

86-4322 Mamalahoa Hwy, Captain Cook HI 96704

Honaunau Bay (aka 2 step Beach)

84-5571 Honaunau Beach Rd, Captain Cook HI 96704

Punalu'u Black Sand Beach Park (Black Sand Beach)

96-894 Ninole Loop Rd

Pahala, HI

If you really want to make the trek down to see one of four green sand beaches in the world…

Papakolea Beach

Green Sand Beach Rd, Naalehu HI 96722

Prepare to hike, easy hike not to hard about 45 min, or you can take a 4x4 that cost

money but we prefer to hike to preserve the land.

**recommend you stop at Punalu’u Bake Shop for some Hawaiian lunch and baked pastries (malasadas

that make your mouth water!!)

95-5642 Mamalahoa Hwy, Naalehu HI 96722**

Shopping:

Costco

73-5600 Maiau St

Kailua-Kona, HI

Stock up on food and supplies for your time in Hawai'i and then leave everything that's left for us.

Target

74-5455 Makala Blvd

Kailua-Kona, HI

The Queens' Marketplace

69-201 Waikoloa Beach Dr

Waikoloa Village, HI

Kings' Shops

250 Waikoloa Beach Dr

Waikoloa Village, HI

Kona Inn Shopping Village

Kona Farmer's Market

Kona Marketplace

Keauhou Shopping Center

Keauhou Market

All of these are on Ali'i Drive in Kona.

The Shops at Mauna Lani

68-1330 Mauna Lani Dr

Waimea, HI

These are the closest shops to The Fairmont Orchid (venue).

Other Fun Tourist Stuff:

Volcano Twilight and Stargazing Tour

Volcanos & Winery Tour

Big Island Zipline Adventure

Mauna Kea Summit Sunset and Stars (bring a jacket and jeans…its chilly up there!!)

Night Manta Ray Adventures

Waterfalls- you can drive to them or go on a tour.

Historical Dinner Cruise to Kealakekua Bay

Kona Coffee tastings (plenty of coffee farms to choose from)

Q + A

Questions about travel, what do...