Cathy and Mike's Kona Guidebook
Food scene
Green Flash Coffee does a nice job with their coffee, breakfast paninis, sandwiches, and smoothies. I love that they use coffee ice cubes in their iced coffees.
Green Flash is convenient, right at the driveway entrance to Sea Village. They have casual, unpretentious, island vibe.
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Green Flash Coffee
75-6000 Ali‘i DrGreen Flash Coffee does a nice job with their coffee, breakfast paninis, sandwiches, and smoothies. I love that they use coffee ice cubes in their iced coffees.
Green Flash is convenient, right at the driveway entrance to Sea Village. They have casual, unpretentious, island vibe.
Great breakfasts with a great view and a warm vibe and often live music. We make multiple trips to Island Lava Java every time we visit Kona.
Our favorite dishes are:
* Eggs Benedict (on a toasted croissant...oh, so good)
* Island Pancakes (with mac nuts and coconut syrup)
* Drag It Through The Garden breakfast sandwich
* Cinnamon Pullapart (these frequently sell out)
Booking reservations in advance (even before we're on-island) has worked very well for us.
The dinners at Island Lava Java are good, but we prefer the breakfasts.
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Island Lava Java
75-5801 Ali‘i DrGreat breakfasts with a great view and a warm vibe and often live music. We make multiple trips to Island Lava Java every time we visit Kona.
Our favorite dishes are:
* Eggs Benedict (on a toasted croissant...oh, so good)
* Island Pancakes (with mac nuts and coconut syrup)
* Drag It Through The Garden breakfast sandwich
* Cinnamon Pullapart (these frequently sell out)
Booking reservations in advance (even before we're on-island) has worked very well for us.
The dinners at Island Lava Java are good, but we prefer the breakfasts.
The lilikoi (passionfruit) cream cheese stuffed French toast is oh so good! The omelets have also been excellent.
Consider showing up just a littler earlier to beat the crowd. It's a small venue and the wait can be long.
Their eggs benedict was not on the menu when we were there but we're hoping to try it sometime and compare it with the eggs bene' and Island Lava Java. (Kalikala Cuisine has photos of their eggs benedict dish on their storefront so we asked and they expect to offer it sometimes, perhaps when they are not too busy.)
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Kalikala Cuisine
The lilikoi (passionfruit) cream cheese stuffed French toast is oh so good! The omelets have also been excellent.
Consider showing up just a littler earlier to beat the crowd. It's a small venue and the wait can be long.
Their eggs benedict was not on the menu when we were there but we're hoping to try it sometime and compare it with the eggs bene' and Island Lava Java. (Kalikala Cuisine has photos of their eggs benedict dish on their storefront so we asked and they expect to offer it sometimes, perhaps when they are not too busy.)
The Coffee Shack is ~1,000 ft. above Kealakekua Bay (aka Captain Cook Bay). The temperature is refreshingly cool there compared to sea level. We try to remember to bring jackets.
They have very good breakfasts, some with a bit of Hawaiian flare: eggs bene', ono fish bene', omelets, some have options for Portuguese sausage and rice. They also feature great desserts and cookies.
Sometimes people put a little jam container out for the Geckos. I don't know if it's good for them, but they seem to enjoy it.
The Coffee Shack is about 1/2 hour drive South of Kona. We love to stop there on the way to or from Two Step (free) for snorkeling and/or visiting the Place of Refuge (pay a fee to enter the park), a beautiful and culturally significant location with really interesting displays, tikis, and structures.
https://www.coffeeshack.com/
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The Coffee Shack
83-5799 Mamalahoa HwyThe Coffee Shack is ~1,000 ft. above Kealakekua Bay (aka Captain Cook Bay). The temperature is refreshingly cool there compared to sea level. We try to remember to bring jackets.
They have very good breakfasts, some with a bit of Hawaiian flare: eggs bene', ono fish bene', omelets, some have options for Portuguese sausage and rice. They also feature great desserts and cookies.
Sometimes people put a little jam container out for the Geckos. I don't know if it's good for them, but they seem to enjoy it.
The Coffee Shack is about 1/2 hour drive South of Kona. We love to stop there on the way to or from Two Step (free) for snorkeling and/or visiting the Place of Refuge (pay a fee to enter the park), a beautiful and culturally significant location with really interesting displays, tikis, and structures.
https://www.coffeeshack.com/
"Slow Black Coffee" is the mantra at Koana Coffee.
At Koana it’s not only about the great coffee, tea, and drinking chocolate ("lava shot") drinks but about the personal attention. It is truly a lovely & unique experience. Brian is so knowledgeable, friendly & welcoming.
Koana features pour-over style coffee drinks (there are no lattes or frappuccinos) and the service is slow and personal. If you need fast coffee, this is not the place for you.
When I'm traveling through the Ocean View area (e.g., on the way to Volcanoes National Park or South Point) I visit Koana for their coffee and hot chocolate and overall zen experience.
User "onocoffee" posted a thoughtful video review on YouTube, titled "The Best Coffee Shop in the United States - Koana".
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Koana
18-1325 Old Volcano Rd"Slow Black Coffee" is the mantra at Koana Coffee.
At Koana it’s not only about the great coffee, tea, and drinking chocolate ("lava shot") drinks but about the personal attention. It is truly a lovely & unique experience. Brian is so knowledgeable, friendly & welcoming.
Koana features pour-over style coffee drinks (there are no lattes or frappuccinos) and the service is slow and personal. If you need fast coffee, this is not the place for you.
When I'm traveling through the Ocean View area (e.g., on the way to Volcanoes National Park or South Point) I visit Koana for their coffee and hot chocolate and overall zen experience.
User "onocoffee" posted a thoughtful video review on YouTube, titled "The Best Coffee Shop in the United States - Koana".
Activities
Yoga Big Island has ocean-side yoga classes at Pahoehoe Beach Park and Old Airport Park. We have really enjoyed their yoga classes at both locations.
Unfortunately, the yoga class offerings have been reduced starting in 2023. We're hoping they bring back more classes before long.
Check their schedule online and keep an eye open for the occasional free yoga session.
Yoga Big Island has inexpensive monthly rates. If you're inspired to do 4+ yoga sessions while you're in Kona, the monthly rate is probably worth looking into.
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Pahoehoe Beach Park
77-6434 Ali‘i DrYoga Big Island has ocean-side yoga classes at Pahoehoe Beach Park and Old Airport Park. We have really enjoyed their yoga classes at both locations.
Unfortunately, the yoga class offerings have been reduced starting in 2023. We're hoping they bring back more classes before long.
Check their schedule online and keep an eye open for the occasional free yoga session.
Yoga Big Island has inexpensive monthly rates. If you're inspired to do 4+ yoga sessions while you're in Kona, the monthly rate is probably worth looking into.
Retail
This little running shoe store is awesome! They are our first stop when we "need" activewear.
Whether you're a runner or not, they're worth checking out for their great garb (many with fun island-vibe slogans, e.g., "Run Aloha" or "Run Big"). We've purchased quite a few tank-tops, t-shirts, ball-caps, and even bikinis there.
Big Island Running Company
75-5807 Ali‘i DrThis little running shoe store is awesome! They are our first stop when we "need" activewear.
Whether you're a runner or not, they're worth checking out for their great garb (many with fun island-vibe slogans, e.g., "Run Aloha" or "Run Big"). We've purchased quite a few tank-tops, t-shirts, ball-caps, and even bikinis there.
Sightseeing
We highly recommend visiting this park (a.k.a. Place of Refuge). It is a magical and culturally significant location.
The Parks department has done a beautiful job maintaining this site. They have really interesting structures, carved tikis, and artifacts.
We suggest also visiting The Coffee Shack while you're in the area. They are a great breakfast/lunch spot but they close early so check their hours.
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Εθνικό Ιστορικό Πάρκο Pu'uhonua O Hōnaunau
State Highway 160We highly recommend visiting this park (a.k.a. Place of Refuge). It is a magical and culturally significant location.
The Parks department has done a beautiful job maintaining this site. They have really interesting structures, carved tikis, and artifacts.
We suggest also visiting The Coffee Shack while you're in the area. They are a great breakfast/lunch spot but they close early so check their hours.