As a bartender in a tourist destination I find my self frequently answering the same questions, like where to go and what to do?
I put together this list and the Hawai'i Spirit & Brew Map (below) to help travelers and locals find all the best spots! It should be noted that these spots are the best of and good places for tourists and locals to mingle, these are not secret spots which should. in my opinion be left secret spots😏
Remember to drive safe and be patient we are on island time so enjoy it! Aloha G
What to Do on your Trip To Kona
Kona Side
Down South:
Coffee at Kona Joes in Holualoa for epic coffee and the best view! Some great vintage shops on that drive too https://www.konajoe.com
Cultivate good food stand has some great juices and healthy wraps https://www.cultivategoodfood.com
Captain Cook Monument - pick up a kayak or just take the lazy drive down,
Big Island Bees has a cute little bee hive Community & shop set up down there so grab some honey https://bigislandbees.com/
Check out Painted Church
All the vintage stores are along this route and you can find some great scores
Green Sand Beach but you gotta have 4 wheel
South Point, The southern most part of the island chain and you can jump off the cliff
In Kona Town:
Aloha Vibes
My new wine & cocktail program incorporating local flavors and bounty in the cocktail menu and excellent Japanese local style food including fresh poke, sashimi, chicken and steak. Enjoy epic food with the best sunset ocean view around come see me and say hi at Aloha Vibes. Located in the Kona inn Shopping Center @xalohavibesx on instagram https://www.alohavibes.com/
Stop by Alii Market for great local goods to take home with you! Art work, local tea and honey plus check Shaka Tacos Kona Location https://shakatacoz.com or have a fresh Ahi Poke Bowl on instagram at @aliipoke808
Stop by the So Juicy Hawaii kiosk in Lanikai Center for fresh cold press juice! https://www.sojuicyhawaii.com/
Umekes for a real local plate lunch and epic poke https://www.umekesrestaurants.com/
Hico for a more trendy in town coffee -that whole area is really growing with the new kona brew facilities going in https://hicohawaiiancoffee.com
Stop by and see Dave at 12th Hawaii Distillery (try the honey shine) https://12thhawaiidistiller.com
Ola brewing company for the worlds best seltzers (try the lemongrass), and some great ciders and beers all made locallyhttps://www.olabrewco.com/
Book a Kona Cocktail Academy cocktail class https://www.konacocktailacademy.com/
Dolphin spit best dive bar
Watch the body boarders at Magic Sands
If you are a surfer you can rent a board and paddle out at Kahalu'u
Must do is a night dive with the Manta Rey’s
Music at night you can check Gertrudes jazz bar https://www.gertrudesjazzbar.com/ or Willies hot chicken https://willieshotchicken.com/(and the chicken is excellent)
Jackie Reys Happy Hour https://www.jackiereys.com/
Good Clam Chowder & Seafood at Fishhopper https://www.fishhopperkona.com/
Football at Lavernes w Max https://laverneskona.com
Kona Inn for Sunset, Sashimi & a Mai Tai https://konainnrestaurant.com/
Heading north
Best beach is Hapuna beach or Kua bay is also stunning
Kuleana rum shack in Waikoloa is a must visit, they make our local agricole https://kuleanarum.com
If your feeling up for it the four seasons has a stunning beach bar I like to stop by for a glass of wine now and again
Swing by King Kamehameha’s Heiau to walk in the footsteps of a very tall King https://www.nps.gov/puhe/index.htm
Waimea
Fish and hog best bbq https://www.fishandthehog.com
Waimea butcher shop is pretty amazing http://www.waimeabutchershop.com
Big Island Brewhouse for epic brews https://bigislandbrewhaus.com/
Great farmers market Wednesday and Sunday am https://waimeatownmarket.com/
Cutest little coffee shop Waimea Coffee Co http://www.waimeacoffeecompany.com/
Hamakua coast drive is stunning and there is the train museum in Lapahoehoe on the way to Hilo https://www.thetrainmuseum.com/
Hilo Side-
Hilo brew make some great beers, their lager is excellent and red ale is great too swing by the brewery https://hilobrewingco.com
Cruise Banyan Drive
Visit the King Kamehameha Statue https://www.hvcb.org/listing/king-kamehameha-statue-(hilo)/109425/
Visit Akaka Falls & Rainbow Falls https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/parks/hawaii/akaka-falls-state-park/
Walk the Hilo Waterfront Shops
Visit the Hilo Farmers Market http://hilofarmersmarket.com/
Temple Bar https://thetemple.bar/
Ok Farms Tour, Sign up for the tour, they are above the water falls and are just really amazing people, I use all their spices for my cocktails big island cinnamon, nutmeg, clove allspice. And they have a farm store w tons of other local good stuff https://www.okfarmshawaii.com/
Kuhio Grill has the best laulau so good 😊 https://www.kuhiogrille.com/
On Hilo side Carl-smith beach park is where all the turtles are it’s really lovely gotta stop by there
Big Island is known for the observatory at Mauna Kea, you must have 4 wheel drive and remember its freezing up there! Definitely worth the trip. https://about.ifa.hawaii.edu/facility/mauna-kea-observatories/
Volcano National Park, I mean yeah you should check it out, there is also a winery there! https://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm
Don't forget to check out the Hawai'i Spirit & Brew map page for a list of all of the craft distilleries & breweries in the Islands!
