Everything about the island of Hawaii is big. In fact, the Big Island is considered by many as a mini-continent. Discover its Volcanoes National Park and trek through a lava tube, or take a thrilling helicopter ride over the island’s active volcano. Peer through telescopes into the infinite universe at Mauna Kea Summit. Visit the Pana’ewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens and marvel at the tropical flora and fauna of this climate. Enjoy its famous sports fishing, scuba diving and snorkelling from Kailua-Kona, and see humpback whales, spinner dolphins or the giant mantas on an incredible night dive with Jack’s Diving Locker. Or play world-renowned golf at one of the lush green courses that decorate the island.
Hawaii has something for everyone and its sandy beaches, crystal blue ocean and average temperatures of 27 to 28C are a delight in February when it’s wet and grey back home.
There’s a lot more to the Big Island than its stunning crimson sunsets and jaw-dropping activities – and that is its cuisine.
From a culinary perspective, Hawaii is exciting.
The fresh seafood is incredible. Brown’s Beach House at the lovely Fairmont Orchid resort on the Kohala Coast is the hot spot for the perfect dinner with its expansive ocean views and delicious island-inspired dining.
Enjoy diverse dishes such as the beetroot appetizer with creamy goat cheese and a lehua honey-macadamia nut pesto, or the Waimea garden greens, with greens grown upslope from the hotel, yellow tomatoes, creamy avocado and a liliko’i passion fruit vinaigrette.
From the sea, try the crab-crusted Kona kampachi paired with a tart poha berry sauce, or the steamed local snapper served with locally grown mushrooms and a lemon truffle ponzu. From the land, the axis venison is a rarity in these parts.
Further down the coast at Waikoloa Beach Resort is new restaurant and gastropub for meat lovers, The Three Fat Pigs, run by charismatic native Chef Philip Ippy Aiona.
Ippy was a Food Network star finalist (season 8) and ranked in Forbes Best 30 Under 30, 2013. His upbeat eatery is lively and edgy and the whimsical menu changes with the four seasons.
The Thirsty Wolf bar upstairs serves craft beers, including Rabid Beaver IPA and Longboard. For those with an appetite, start with pub fries with bacon, cheese and onion. The succulent baby back braised ribs are served with kale and deep fried pickles. Or try the double cut lemon and orange brined pork chop, served with apple and caramelized onion and blue cheese tart. Finish with the homemade ice cream sandwich (chef’s choice). As the menu says: “And they lived happily ever after!”
The busy seaside village of Kailue-Kona consists of historic sights tucked in amongst funky open-air shops and oceanfront restaurants. This is old Hawaii, as Kailua was once the capital of the kingdom of Hawaii unified by King Kamehameha I, before it was moved to Honolulu. I ate lunch on the wooden deck overlooking the lawns at the traditional Kona Inn, its huge ceiling fans and memorabilia heralding a bygone age. The fresh calamari was tenderized and tasty, served with fresh lemon, and the large, breaded coconut shrimp and salad went perfectly with a glass of chilled Sauvignon Blanc.
Huggo’s is Kona’s fine-dining restaurant, where you can enjoy the outdoor dining deck overlooking the ocean. The same owners run the Lava Lava Beach Club further up the coast, which is a luxury beach cottage resort offering the ultimate romantic experience.
Tables are nestled in the sand, drawing on an open air ambiance, with swaying coconut palms, tiki lanterns and live music. The food is a farm-to-beach affair offering the freshest local produce, and the homemade, fruity cocktails are a must. However, don’t go when it’s windy or the sand won’t just be between your toes!
The Lava Lava Beach Club is both trendy and pricey, but it’s gorgeous, so best to save this for a special occasion or a wedding!
Big Island cuisine is not just beautifully fresh and diverse. It’s soul food. Whether you’re topping off an epic day at the beach or feeling a bit under the weather, it warms your heart in a truly satisfying way. And that’s what memories are made of – “Mahalo, Hawaii.”
