the bigTHE SALTYisland ISLAND guide GUIDE FOR THE CREATIVE TRAVELER STAY OFF THE BEATEN PATH

THE ALOHA ABODE The Aloha Abode is a light, airy one bedroom Airbnb tucked away on the hillside of .

PUAKEA RANCH A historic ranch on the Big Island of offering 4 beautifully restored plantation era cottages.

BEACH CAMPING There are a bunch of gorgeous beaches you can camp at on this island! Be sure to make a reservation beforehand.

HALE KUKUI ORCHARD + RETREAT Beautiful bed + breakfast that overlooks Waipio valley, welcoming guests for a retreat or to host events + weddings.

THE BIG ISLAND TREEHOUSE Dreamy tropical treehouse near Volcano National Park.

HOLUALOA INN Luxury bed and breakfast on a 30 acre coffee estate in the artist village of Holualoa. HOTELS + RESORTS

FOUR SEASONS HUALALAI The ultimate luxury resort in paradise. Luxury price tag but incredible property.

KONA SHERATON AT KEAUHOU BAY We used to live in Keauhou + LOVE the area. It's quieter than staying right in the heart of town and there are incredible views from the property!

MAUNA KEA BEACH HOTEL Gorgeous oceanfront property residing along the beautiful Kohala Coast where all of the most beautiful, big beaches are located. Luxurious and welcoming with a beautiful golf course!

HAPUNA BEACH PRINCE HOTEL Near Beach Hotel, this upscale resort also overlooks beachfront on the Kohala Coast. We frequent the beach here often and love the feel of the resort!

FAIRMONT ORCHID Luxury resort and spa also located on the Kohala Coast. We've never stayed here personally but have heard good things!

GRAND NANILOA HOTEL IN HILO This newly renovated property is a great choice if you are staying over in Hilo.

EAT CASUAL SPOTS

UNDER THE BODHI TREE Locally sourced, globally flavored. Casual eatery on the Kohala Coast with an eclectic menu of vegetarian, vegan and raw dishes. I haven't had an item on the menu I didn't LOVE!

HIYACHI'S / YOU MAKE DA ROLL

Local's favorite! Inexpensive but awesome sushi. Only open from 11am to 6pm (and closes at 4pm on Saturday) and the line PILES UP QUICKLY! Typically, we place our order, walk around Ali'i Drive for about 45 minutes then go back to pick it up. Bonus if you take it down by the water to enjoy!

LOKO WRAPS They've coined the phrase 'island style Mexican food.' They have a location in Captain Cook & another in Kona. The BBQ jack fruit (which resembles pulled pork) is so amazing and we're obsessed with their sauces!

UMEKE'S This awesome local spot believes in wildly fresh fish caught from our Kona waters and served BOAT to BOWL fresh to create their sashimi quality Poke Bowls that have earned many awards.

HUGGO'S ON THE ROCKS Serving lunch, sunset cocktails, pupus + dinner daily. We love the atmosphere on Sunday evenings as they usually have acoustic live music!

KONA BREWING COMPANY Awesome local brew pub! Great for pizza + beers – although they have much more on the menu. Sometimes I'll get one of their delicious salads + the ahi sashimi for a lighter meal. My favorite beers are the Koko Brown, Big Wave + Kua Bay IPA!

DA POKE SHACK

One word: YUM! If you love fresh poke, I definitely recommend this local joint! They have awesome recipes, it's right in town + you can take it to the beach if you want to have yourself a little picnic!

FOODTRUCKS There are some delicious island food trucks here. We had no idea until we lived here so I'm giving you the local scoop. Check out: Lotus Cafe, Cool Runnings, Kana Dogs+ Island Roots. They all update their social media with their daily location! OUT TO DINNER

FOSTER'S KITCHEN Cuisine made from scratch and perfection within a hand-crafted cocktail using only the freshest ingredients possible. Can get really busy so call and make a reservation if possible!

KAMANA KITCHEN Absolutely delicious Indian restaurant with a cozy atmostphere overlooking the ocean. Vegetarian + vegan options too!

MI'S WATERFRONT BISTRO Intimate spot featuring house-made Italian pasta + dishes using island-sourced ingredients. Love their Lanai Spritz cocktail!

LAVA LAVA BEACH CLUB Beach front casual restaurant where you can sip a cocktail with your feet in the sand. Facing Anaeho'omalu Bay, this lovely spot offers something for everyone.

SHIONO SUSHI This little hole in the wall right off of Ali'i Drive has authentic japanese cuisine + Traditional sushi. Perfect for a lunch date or dinner!

THE BLUE ROOM BRASSERIE You won't find any authentic Hawaiian food here! This unique restaurant offers an exciting menu of French cuisine if something different strikes your fancy!

KENICHI PACIFIC Two words: HAPPY HOUR! From 4:30-6:00pm this sushi spot has the best happy hour in town on food + cocktails. Their rolls are inspired by the tropics and delicious.

AMICI VISTA BAR + GRILL This gem is located in Keauhou on the same grounds as the Kona Country Club. With majestic views of Keauhou Bay and dishes straight from Italy, Amici Vista is perfect for lunch, dinner, and even happy hour!

ULU OCEAN GRILL OR BEACH TREE AT FOUR SEASONS Both have an element of 'barefoot elegance' as you dine oceanside with incredible menu options. This is a well worth splurge on vacation! BIG ISLAND FAVORITES COFFEE + SOMETHING SWEET

DAYLIGHT MIND COFFEE COMPANY Whether you're looking for a great brunch spot by the water, a beautiful restaurant to enjoy while you watch the sunset or a lovely little coffee shop to work from – daylight mind is your place!

BASIK ACAI Right in the middle of town, just a climb up the steps into a little treehouse-style cafe - something scrumptious awaits you. Their presentation is always beautiful, but unfortunately, their food is also too delicious to wait and get that shot! Seriously, if acai bowls are up your alley - head here for your morning breakfast or mid-day treat!

HOLUAKOA CAFE For an amazing cup of coffee + lovely atmosphere, head up the hills above Kona to visit the coffee shop located right in front of the Holuakoa Restaurant. Nestled in the historical town and artist community of Holualoa, this spot is worth visiting before you visit the art galleries lining the street.

KONA COFFEE + TEA Visit this bright, cheery spot in the heart of town for delicious locally grown coffee, deli selections + beer/wine. The lime green walls, sunny lanai and welcoming staff makes this place really inviting!

THE COFFEE SHACK Plan on grabbing a fresh cup of kona joe + breakfast overlooking 26 miles of coastline. The location in the hills is breathtaking. Views of the coast everywhere you look and tasty bites - you can't go wrong! These photos were taken on a really dreary day+ you can see even then, it's still charming.

WAIMEA COFFEE COMPANY Warm and welcoming place for residents and visitors alike! We love to stop here for a cup of coffee and breakfast sandwich or burrito before an adventure up in Waimea.

ONE ALOHA SHAVE ICE Serving homemade shave ice syrups lightly sweetened with certified organic cane sugar + local, organic fruits. Drool over flavors like Lilikoi, Tahitian Lime, Guava, Mango, Lychee and Coconut.

GYPSEA GELATO AMAZING gelato – my favorite flavor is the Tom Kha. Locations in both Kealekekua + Kona. IN WAIMEA

BIG ISLAND FAVORITES NOODLE club Japanese noodle house with amazing menu items showcasing locally sourced and homemade ingredients! Also, fun fact: you can BYOB.

LUNA RESTAURANT Fantastic, seasonal Italian-inspired food made with local ingredients. Yummy house-made pasta and amazing pizza! This is definitely a favorite of ours. Keep in mind: closed Tuesdays + Sundays.

FISH + THE HOG Local fare such as seafood & slow-cooked BBQ star at this rustic cafe & bar in a historic building. Aaron loves this place! Great to watch a sports game or to stop for lunch.

PAU Bright, airy joint with a menu full of gourmet salads, sandwiches + pizzas. I recommend their superfood salad!

Kawaihae SEAFOOD BAR + GRILL Island-style bar with inventive cocktails + interesting menu! Love the atmosphere of this place and it has a great happy hour!

HINA RAE'S SUGARSHACK Cute little shop to grab an acai bowl, pitaya bowls or boba tea if you're up exploring Waimea!

BIG ISLAND BREWHAUS A kitschy place serving up Mexican classics, occasional live music & your choice of delicious housemade margaritas or locally crafted beer. We love this place!

IN HAWI SUSHI ROCK Best sushi on the island in my humble opinion! It's a bit pricey but worth it! Perfect for lunch after hiking down to Pololu.

SWEET POTATO KITCHEN + BAKERY Breakfast and lunch weekdays, brunch on weekends! Awesome for vegans and vegetarians, gluten free options. BIG ISLAND FAVORITES IN HILO

CONSCIOUS CULTURE CAFE Nutritious menu items made with aloha! Vegan and gluten free friendly! Their 'blessed-up bowls' are heavenly and we love that they have Big Island Booch on tap!

BIG ISLAND JUICE CO. This colorful, tiki shack offers an assortment of acai bowls, smoothies, frappes, ice cream goodies + epic sandwiches! We stop in here every time we go to Hilo.

MOON + TURTLE Locally sourced seafood stars at this Asian-fusion cafe with a menu that changes frequently. Cafe New American menu with a tropical twist – great cocktails & bay views.

PINEAPPLES Island-style cuisine with live entertainment + fun atmosphere! This place is a legacy in downtown Hilo and the first restaurant we ever visited on that side. Love it here!

IN HONOKA'A

SEA DANDELION In this cozy space a husband-and-wife team serve up creative healthy vegetarian fare. They have amazing salads, soups + sandwiches. Not to mention their really unique selection of desserts!

HINA RAE'S CAFE Hina Rae's Café is a humble eatery with unique, vibrant fare including delectable açai bowls, savory waffle sandwiches, fresh brewed coffee, italian sodas, local lunch specials and more.

ADVENTURE CLOSE TO KONA TOWN:

MANINI'OWALI BEACH (AKA KUA BAY) BEACHES

MAHAI'ULA BEACH - Rough Road, 4x4 Recommended

KOHANAIKI BEACH PARK (PINE TREES) FOR SURFING OR BEACH OFF THE BEATEN PATH:

PAPAKOLEA GREEN SAND BEACH - Hike or Hitch a Ride!

POLOLU VALLEY BEACH

ON THE KOHALA COAST:

WAIALEA BEACH (BEACH BEACH SIXTY-NINE)

HAPUNA STATE PARK

KAUNA'OA (MAUNA KEA) BEACH

BEST FOR SNORKELING:

HONAUNAU BAY (AKA TWO STEP) - Best overall snorkeling!

KAHALUU BEACH PARK - Great for beginner + intermediate surfing too!

FOUR MILE BEACH ON HILO SIDE - Good for seeing turtles!

-PLEASE USE REEF SAFE SUNSCREEN!- experiences not to miss THURSDAYS AT DON THE MAI TAI Bar Watch the sunset and sip mai tais from the place the first Mai Tai was crafted while local artists (some really famous) play ukulele or slack key guitar, showcasing the diversity of today's Hawaiian music scene. Every Thursday – Happy Hour 4pm-6pm. Free to go. Such a lovely spot!

FIRST FRIDAYS IN HOLUALOA Here for the first Friday of the month? If so, head up to main street Holualoa from 5:30-8:30pm to stroll through the historic town's shops + galleries. There's typically live music and certain shops have pupus + drinks. It's so fun!

TOUR COFFEE FARMS Touring a coffee farm is eye-opening and makes you appreciate a cup of joe so much more! This is something unique and something kona is known for so I definitely recommend it.

Here are some farms to look into: Kona Coffee Living History Farm

Sunshower Farms

Kona Joe Coffee

Greenwell Farms

SAILING OUT OF HONOKOHAU HARBOR There are a great sailing companies that can take you out for a calming, incredible experience out on the open water! One that's not listed on the site linked above is HONU SAIL CHARTERS.

DINNER AT THE RANCH On Wednesday nights you can experience the award-winning Evening Sunset Dinner at Kahua Ranch. Greeted by an open campfire where you'll hear about the history of the ranch. Next, dinner, open bar + you can then make s'mores, learn to rope, line dance, star gaze, pitch horseshoes or brand a shingle to take home.

WATERFALLS -PLEASE USE REEF SAFE SUNSCREEN!- SUNSET YOGA experiences not to miss Stretch, rejuvenate and feel gratitude for this incredible place all while taking in the sunset at Pahoehoe Beach Park.

SURFING AT KAHALU'U Surfing is such an exhilarating and exciting way to spend the day! Email Aaron to book a lesson for a great price – [email protected]

VOLCANO NATIONAL PARK OR KALAPANA LAVA FLOW Our island is constantly growing with the constant lava flow from the Kilauea Volcano. The volcano is something that is really unique and incredible to experience when you are visiting the Big Island of Hawaii.

The National Park is where you will see the glow of the crater. The Kalapana Lava Flow is where you can see the active volcano flow.

PU'UHONUA O HONAUNAU – CITY OF REFUGE This historic spot is a treasured piece of Hawaii history, an opportunity to step back in time. These sacred grounds are a remarkably preserved sanctuary of Hawaii's past and a wonderful place to explore.

KA LAE – SOUTH POINT You can take in the view at the southern most point of the United States and on high surf days, watch water shoot out of the blow holes. If you're into cliff jumping, you can jump off the 40ft cliff at your own risk!

WATERFALLS Exploring the island's waterfalls is a really magical part of the expreience here in the islands!

Here are a few of our favorites: PE'EPE'E FALLS + BOILING POTS AKAKA FALLS RAINBOW FALLS UMAUMA FALLS (You can zip line here too!)

HELICOPTER TOUR Another way to take in waterfalls + switch up your perspective is by taking a helicopter ride!

BLUE HAWAIIAN HELICOPTERS PARADISE HELICOPTERS

DONT LEAVE YOUR TRASH HERE be kind to our islands I know it's easy to slip into 'vacation mode' and stop considering this place as someone else's home. Enjoy your vacation while being conscious of your impact on this planet! Don't leave your trash on the beaches, hikes, parks or anywhere besides the bin for that matter. ALSO, please be very mindful of ways you can conserve.

Plastic is as common to see at the beach as seashells are, but plastic litter is more than just an aesthetic disturbance; it’s a sign that humans are treating the oceans like a garbage bin. Today, the oceans and marine life are facing the threat of permanent alteration from a number of sources of pollution, and plastic is among the most significant.

The average American will throw away 185 pounds of plastic each year. And plastic never truly disappears. Every piece of plastic that has ever been made still exists. Even when burned, it breaks down into microscopic, toxic particles. Plastic is not a material that our planet can digest.

When a plastic bottle is discarded improperly, rains + waterways may sweep it into a gutter + eventually out to sea. Floating at sea, the UV radiation of the sun makes the plastic brittle. The plastic breaks up into smaller pieces from the friction of the waves. Then, the plastic breaks down into microplastic particles, which are fragments of plastic smaller than a grain of sand or the tip of a needle. Ocean currents sweep these microplastic particles all over our sacred beaches here in Hawai'i.

Almost every species of marine life is contaminated by plastic, from microscopic plankton to whales, the largest mammals on earth. Marine animals that become entangled in plastic may drown or starve. Plastic garbage may resemble food for some marine species. Turtles are known to mistake plastic bags for jellyfish. Sea birds selectively ingest specific colors of plastic, mistaking them for prey. Plastic is found in the stomachs of 85% of turtle species, 43% of seabird species, and 44% of marine mammals.

I encourage you to be part of the solution, not the problem.

WAYS TO CONSERVE

• Reusable water bottle – NOT using plastic waterbottles makes a HUGE impact.

• Reusable bags for groceries

• Reduce your consumption of single use plastics

• Don't ask for straws or to go boxes if you don't need to

• Recycle what you do use!

• Carry out trash/micro-plastic that you see or JOIN IN ON A BEACH CLEAN UP! TAKE SOMETHING HOME WITH YOU

BUY LOCAL! DONT SHOP TOURISTY BIG BOX STORES.

STORES TO CHECK OUT:

Coco + Lita

Kepola Design House

Fused Hawaii

Pueo Boutique

Quill + Feather

Big Island Candies

Blue Ginger Gallery

Tai Shan Dragon Fruit Farms – We used to have my mom ship their dragon fruit loaves to us!

Shops in Kanaleiu – Thrift stores + quaint little shops

Shops in Hawi

Shops in Holualoa

TALK TO ARTISANS + LEARN FROM THEM My recommendation when you travel ANYWHERE is to talk to the locals and artists you come across. Get the story behind the piece you're buying, talk about their traditions, ask their recommendations around town, etc. This is a great way to absorb the culture and learn more about this amazing island.

DONT TAKE SAND OR LAVA The legend says you'll have bad luck for seven years! Mahalo for purchasing my Big Island Travel Guide! Hope this provides you the direction to have the most dreamy tropical stay. Please respect + care for our island.

– LIVE ALOHA –