Children

Non-violent communication tools that are great with children!

Markets

In Kailua-Kona:

Island Naturals  (there are 2)  The one in the middle of Kailua-Kona town is larger and has a bigger selection.  The one in Kealakekua is right off the highway, about 15 minutes from the house.  Organic produce.  Also has a pre-made food bar, smoothies, sandwiches…

Choicemart:  About 10 minutes from the house, up Napoopoo road and 1ish miles south.  Great local supermarket with a nice selection of freshly caught local fish, some local produce and even a reasonable health food section.

South Kona Green Market: Every Sunday there’s a local market in Kealakekua where you can enjoy local/organic produce, eggs and meat, prepared foods, art, music and more!  Get there early around 9 for the best selection of produce.

For the Foodies and Favorite Restaurants

Close to the FARM:

• Hawaiian Chocolates  Alicia makes the BEST chocolates…and caramel.  Perfect treat for vacation and gifts
• Super Js  (5ish min drive) Hawaiian take out on the cheap!
• Annie’s Burgers (Wide variety of grass fed beef, great milkshakes and fun ambiance)
• Island Naturals (The local health food store.  Healthy prepared and made to order salads, sandwiches,  other yummy stuff.  They have a small patio or take it to go for a beach picnic)
• Mi’s (Italian)
• Keei Cafe (best ambiance for a dinner date close to home, pricey)
• Strawberry Patch (tasty healthy food off the highway)
• Coffee Shack  The best place we know of for breakfast, and oh the view!

In Kailua-Kona:

• Holuakoa Cafe (Great dinner/brunch, best slo food around, sweet outside dining  nestled in the hills of Holualoa…25 mins from the house & 10 mins from Kailua Kona)
• Kenichi Pacific (good for a date night/sushi…we like sitting at the bar)
• Kanaka Kava Bar (tasty local fish and pupus, kava, chill local vibe)
• Huggos on the Rocks (great ambiance on the water & sand, mostly slo food, music most nights…not a good spot for cocktails)
• El Maguay (affordable, hole-in-wall Mex, BYOB)
• Don the Beachcomber (if you want a good-n-strong mai tai with ocean views galore, this is the spot)
• Original Thai Kitchen  (we’ve concluded this is the best Thai available in Kona)

Local Places to Check-out (close to the farm)

Paleaku Peace Gardens Sanctuary

A seven acre botanical garden in Captain Cook that offers a sanctuary for the advancement of individuals toward peace and harmony.  Walking paths weave through beautiful vistas and private sitting spaces.  They offer yoga and occasional retreats/classes/workshops.

Kealakekua Bay

This is our favorite place to swim, kayak, and paddleboard.   It’s a 2 mile round-trip to Captain Cook monument and you never know what you’ll see in the water.  Sometimes you’ll be surrounded by 50 playful, jumping and chirping spinner dolphins!    At the end of Napoopoo, take a right & park in the lot

Kapahu Kapu Beach (aka Manini)

Sweetest little crescent sand beach with very easy swimming/snorkeling.    Don’t be caught off guard by the cold water when you get in….there’s icy ground water that comes up.  Swim out just a ways and it instantly warms up.  There’s also a grassy park with trees making this a lovely spot to spend the day with a blanket and a book.  Also great for sunset dips in the ocean.  Picnic tables too.

Directions:  At the end of Napoopoo, take a left at the T and then the first right …. follow road until you get to the small parking lot

Ke’ei Beach

Old Hawaii feeling.  Beautiful lava cliffs, crescent salt-n-pepper sand beach dotted with palm trees, keiki (kid) pond, nice channel for swimming and an advanced surf spot.  This is a great spot to watch the sunset with a blanket and bottle or 2 of vino.

Directions:  At the end of Napoopoo, take a left at the T, then the 4th right down the dirt road.  Follow until you reach the parking lot

2 Step Beach

(adjacent to Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park)

Hands down, this is the best snorkeling on the island.  Look for the step made from a lava shelf  where people get in / out of the water.  Dolphins often frequent this spot in the late morning or around 3pm.  At high tide, you’ll often spot a turtle or 2 swimming in the water.  There’s also a crescent sand beach on the south side for keiki (kids).

Directions:  At the end of Napoopoo, take a left.  Go ~3 miles.  Right at sign for Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park.    Take immediate left and follow for parking.

Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park

Great ocean-side hiking trails – exposed to sunlight, so head out early or in the evening.  This park also has amazing (!) picnic grounds / BBQ sites right on the water!

Ho’okena beach

Sandy swimming beach where dolphins come frequently.   No shade.

Directions:  about 10 miles south of Captain Cook.  Look for the sign/turnoff

South Kona Green Market

Every Sunday there’s a local market in Kealakekua where you can enjoy local/organic produce, eggs and meat, prepared foods, art, music and more!  Get there early around 9 for the best selection of producct.

Other Links

Big Island Farmer’s Markets

Links to all the farmers markets on the Big Island

Taste It

Blog on pasture-raised Big Island Beef

Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary