Food scene
We eat here weekly. Great 3 street taco plate. The only downside is there's not much parking so you often have to park on the other side of the street from the taco truck and cafe seating. Traffic can be heavy at times so be careful.
29 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Shaka Tacoz
82-6167 Mamalahoa HighwayWe eat here weekly. Great 3 street taco plate. The only downside is there's not much parking so you often have to park on the other side of the street from the taco truck and cafe seating. Traffic can be heavy at times so be careful.
Oldest eatery on the island so it has lots of local flair. Yummy home style cooking. We mostly go for dinner and have pork chops.
35 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Manago Hotel Restaurant
82-6155 Hawaiʻi Belt RdOldest eatery on the island so it has lots of local flair. Yummy home style cooking. We mostly go for dinner and have pork chops.
Best Tom Kha Gai (chicken coconut soup) on the island and we usually get shrimp Pad Thai too; or their green curry. Awesome coconut ice cream for dessert.
10 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Royal Thai Cafe
78-6831 Ali‘i DrBest Tom Kha Gai (chicken coconut soup) on the island and we usually get shrimp Pad Thai too; or their green curry. Awesome coconut ice cream for dessert.
One of the best coffee places on the island, especially if you like anything moca. Not only is it locally grown and roasted coffee, the chocolate comes from locally grown cacao. We get a mocha breve every time, and still never get enough. All the food is pretty good, but a favorite is the pastrami sandwich on their Hawaiian sweet bread. All the breads and desserts are home made, but the coconut cream pie is to die for. Great views, and note there is parking down the hill and just south of the cafe.
137 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
The Coffee Shack
83-5799 Mamalahoa HwyOne of the best coffee places on the island, especially if you like anything moca. Not only is it locally grown and roasted coffee, the chocolate comes from locally grown cacao. We get a mocha breve every time, and still never get enough. All the food is pretty good, but a favorite is the pastrami sandwich on their Hawaiian sweet bread. All the breads and desserts are home made, but the coconut cream pie is to die for. Great views, and note there is parking down the hill and just south of the cafe.
Kayak and SUP Rentals
The best thing about our house is it's proximity to one of the best paddling and snorkeling bays in the world. To paddle one mile across the bay to The Monument you'll want to rent a kayak or Stand Up Paddle board. There are a few places to do this, but our almost-next-door-neighbor (Kona Kayaks) has the lowest prices and good equipment. Try to call the night prior (ask for Derrick), let them know Dawn and Bob sent you. You can often get boats or boards the morning of, in case you want to check the sea conditions first.
Kona Kayaks
82-6036 Napoopoo RoadThe best thing about our house is it's proximity to one of the best paddling and snorkeling bays in the world. To paddle one mile across the bay to The Monument you'll want to rent a kayak or Stand Up Paddle board. There are a few places to do this, but our almost-next-door-neighbor (Kona Kayaks) has the lowest prices and good equipment. Try to call the night prior (ask for Derrick), let them know Dawn and Bob sent you. You can often get boats or boards the morning of, in case you want to check the sea conditions first.
If you want a guided trip over to The Monument (Captain Cook monument where some of the best snorkeling is), Kona Boys launches right across the street from Kaela Kai at the pier. I recommend you take the guided tour first, then consider just renting your own boats (no help or tour guide) after that if you want to paddle multiple times during your stay.
28 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Kona Boys, Inc.
79-7539 Hawaiʻi Belt RdIf you want a guided trip over to The Monument (Captain Cook monument where some of the best snorkeling is), Kona Boys launches right across the street from Kaela Kai at the pier. I recommend you take the guided tour first, then consider just renting your own boats (no help or tour guide) after that if you want to paddle multiple times during your stay.
Contact these folks for either a guided trip across the bay, or just to rent boats. They're located right on "The Cove" which is less than a 1/2 mile from Keala Kai. Parking is hard to find there so you're better off just walking from the house. Owned for generations by a local family, so we like to support them.
7 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Ehu and Kai Adventures
82-6009 Kahauloa RdContact these folks for either a guided trip across the bay, or just to rent boats. They're located right on "The Cove" which is less than a 1/2 mile from Keala Kai. Parking is hard to find there so you're better off just walking from the house. Owned for generations by a local family, so we like to support them.
SHOPPING
Fully stocked hardware store with everything you'll need from water and beach toys to bicycles. Only 10 minutes from our home.
CAPTAIN COOK ACE HARDWARE
82-6066 Mamalahoa HwyFully stocked hardware store with everything you'll need from water and beach toys to bicycles. Only 10 minutes from our home.
Fully stocked local grocery with the best selection of local and fresh fish in the area. Also, plenty of organic options.
76 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
ChoiceMART
82-6066 Mamalahoa HwyFully stocked local grocery with the best selection of local and fresh fish in the area. Also, plenty of organic options.
"From the land - By our hand" An all local farmers and artists market located in Captain Cook at the Amy B. H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden. Every Sunday 9 am - 2 pm. Most of the time there's a local duo playing Hawaiian music, with places to sit and eat some of the local foods you've purchased.
30 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Pure Kona Green Market
82-6160 Mamalahoa Hwy"From the land - By our hand" An all local farmers and artists market located in Captain Cook at the Amy B. H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden. Every Sunday 9 am - 2 pm. Most of the time there's a local duo playing Hawaiian music, with places to sit and eat some of the local foods you've purchased.
Sightseeing
Just 4 miles south of our home, you'll find one of the best cultural sites on the big island. Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park has a wonderful interpretive tour, along with picnicking and hiking trails.
Keala O Keawe Road
Keala O Keawe RoadJust 4 miles south of our home, you'll find one of the best cultural sites on the big island. Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park has a wonderful interpretive tour, along with picnicking and hiking trails.
Beaches & Ocean Fun
After Kealakekua Bay, this is our favorite place to swim and snorkel. It's just 4 miles south of our home along the narrow Puuhonua Rd. While there isn't much of a sandy beach, there are picnic tables and plenty of fairly flat volcanic rock slabs to set up beach chairs or lounging mats for sunbathing. Free parking is limited so we find it best to get there by 9AM, which happens to be when the water is most often calm and super clear. There's also a $5 parking lot right across from the beach. If you're not physically able to get in the ocean at the main "Two Step" entry site (look a bit south (left) of the middle of the main volcanic "beach" to see where most people are getting in and out, there is a very calm, sandy "harbor" at the far south end of Two Step where little kids can play, or those with limited physical or swimming skills can enter the water.
114 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Two Step
After Kealakekua Bay, this is our favorite place to swim and snorkel. It's just 4 miles south of our home along the narrow Puuhonua Rd. While there isn't much of a sandy beach, there are picnic tables and plenty of fairly flat volcanic rock slabs to set up beach chairs or lounging mats for sunbathing. Free parking is limited so we find it best to get there by 9AM, which happens to be when the water is most often calm and super clear. There's also a $5 parking lot right across from the beach. If you're not physically able to get in the ocean at the main "Two Step" entry site (look a bit south (left) of the middle of the main volcanic "beach" to see where most people are getting in and out, there is a very calm, sandy "harbor" at the far south end of Two Step where little kids can play, or those with limited physical or swimming skills can enter the water.