Finding the best restaurants in Hawaii, the Big Island was a lot of fun.

Now that we have spent the last five years visiting the Big Island, and have eaten at literally scores of restaurants, we feel qualified to provide our list of recommendations to you.

Our recommendations will vary between what is perhaps the best restaurant in all of the Hawaiian Islands to a little Thai restaurant we found in the very small town of Pahoa, near Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

We’ll take you from having breakfast on a picnic table at a local farmers’ market, to sunset dining at some of Hawaii Island’s most posh resorts.

There’s something for everyone is our compilation, and there’s not a one in the bunch that we haven’t personally savored.

Note: restaurants are listed geographically, starting in Kona and heading clockwise around the Island.

Best Restaurants in Hawaii, the Big Island (West)

Holuakoa Gardens and Cafe – located in Holualoa town, on the mountain slope above Kona, lies this most delightful “slow food” restaurant.  At night, thousands of twinkle lights make for a very romantic setting. We enjoyed grilled local Ahi Tuna with Risotto.

Huggo’s Restaurant – located ocean-front in historic Kona, this casual restaurant has been serving Hawaii Island for over 40 years.  Get there for sunset and make certain to try their Ahi Tuna Poke.  It’s ‘da bomb!

Splasher’s Grill – across the street from the Kailua pier, and billed as the place where the locals meet to eat.  We popped in for lunch and greatly enjoyed their Ono Fish Tacos in fresh corn tortillas.  Very casual.

Pahuia at the Four Seasons Hualalai - this is our favorite restaurant on Hawaii, the Big Island.  Pahuia has garnered a prestigious list of awards and accolades.  Your table will sit a stones throw from the ocean, and you’ll nosh on some of the best cuisine available in all of the Hawaiian Islands.  Their Ahi, Hawaiian Sea Bass, and Keahole Lobster Curry are renowned.  Be certain to get there for the sunset.

Beach Tree at the Four Seasons Hualalai – this, our second favorite restaurant, is located just down the beach from the Pahuia (listed above).  Billed as “barefoot elegance” because you’re welcome in your flip-flops.  We will never, ever forget the Veal Osso Bucco Lasagne.  I want some, right now!  You’ll also find pizza, burgers, pastas, and fresh fish on the menu.  But, don’t mess around, get the Veal Osso Bucco Lasagne!

Roy’s – even though Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine can be found in 22 restaurants from Hawaii to Florida, we have always enjoyed the experience.  The fish preparations are always top notch, and the chocolate soufflé never disappoints.

Kamuela Provision Company - located in the Hilton Waikoloa Village, this restaurant is worth visiting just to view the beautiful property.  After a tranquil boat ride to the restaurant, you enjoy pupus, steaks, fish, and if you get there at sunset, young, hunky Hawaiian men lighting the Tiki Torches.

Brown’s Beach House Restaurant – this AAA Four-Diamond restaurants hold a very special place in our hearts.  It was our first romantic ocean-front dinner on the Big Island.  Located inside the Fairmont Orchid Resort, the sunset, live Hawaiian music, and the outstanding preparations of Walu, Mahi Mahi and Grilled Ono are certain to leave a lasting wonderful memory.

The CanoeHouse Restaurant – this is one of our favorites, and we’ve returned numerous times.  It got the #4 spot in our top five sunset restaurants.  You can enjoy Opakapaka, Ono, an incredible Colorado Rack of Lamb, and don’t forget to end the evening with Cloud Forest Farm Organic Coffee Rice Pudding.

Manta & Pavillion Wine Bar in the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel -  this is another of our favorites.  Here you’ll be sitting in a stunning ocean-side setting, looking down at manta rays swimming in the spotlight, in the Island’s #2 resort built by Laurence Rockefeller.  The Kabocha Pumpkin Soup (Kalua Pig, Volcano Ohelo Berries, Truffle Marshmallow) was a real standout, and we enjoyed sampling wines from their Enomatic wine dispenser.

 Best Restaurants in Hawaii, the Big Island (North)

Cafe Pesto Kawaihae – originally a small take-out pizzeria, Cafe Pesto has morphed into an award-winning restaurant.  We’ve probably eaten here 10 times.  It’s one of our favorite lunch spots when we’re nearby.  They still make wonderful pizzas, but have added wonderful salads, fish, pastas, and desserts.

Bamboo Restaurant & Gallery – a favorite of Rachel Ray and The Roaming Boomers®.  Their pupus are awesome: Chicken Sate Pot Stickers, Thai Coconut Prawns (AWESOME), Kalua Pork Quesadilla.   Order The Big Bamboozler and get all three.

Merriman’s in Waimea – With Chef/Owner Peter Merriman being a three-time finalist in the prestigious James Beard Awards for Best Chef, Pacific Northwest and Hawaii, you are certain to have a wonderful dining experience.  You can expect the best local, hand-crafted Hawaiian cuisine available.  Great spot for dinner.

Waimea Town Market – If you’re anywhere near the north side of the island on Saturday morning, then by all means head for the Waimea Town Market.  You’ll not only find fresh items to bring back to your hotel room, it’s also a GREAT place to grab a picnic table and enjoy breakfast.

Pau – in Waimea, this is a great little place for pizza and fresh seasonal quick cuisine.

Tex’s Drive Inn –  We haven’t eaten here, but we love their famous Malasadas.  Make sure you stop by on your way to explore the eastern side of Hawaii Island.

Best Restaurants in Hawaii, the Big Island (East)

Cafe Pesto Hilo – this is the sister restaurant to the original listed above.  Consistently great food!

Hilo Bay Cafe – this is our favorite restaurant in Hilo.  Stunning cuisine served in a strip mall near Walmart.  Go figure!

What’s Shakin’ – they’re famous for fresh fruit smoothies and great sandwiches.  We’ve eaten here many times.

Ning’s Thai Cuisine – absolutely the best Thai food we’ve ever had!  It’s a “hole-in-the-wall” kinda place located near Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.  Did I tell you that it’s the best Thai food ever?  For heaven’s sake, get the Thai Chicken Pineapple Curry!  Yabba Dabba Doooooo!

Sombat’s - Sombat Saenguthai is well known on the Big Island for her exotic Thai cooking. This one is located right in Hilo.

Kilauea Lodge – this is German cuisine in the town of Volcano.  Stop by and get yourself some Antelope Schnitzel.   We stopped in for lunch and I tried a Hawaiian favorite: Volcano Loco.  That was just ok.  

Best Restaurants in Hawaii, the Big Island (South)

Punalu’lu – the southern end of Hawaii Island is sparsely populated.  However, when you’re driving in this neck of the woods, enjoy lunch at Punalu’lu.  It’s the southern-most bakery in the United States, and they’re world famous for their Hawaiian Sweetbread.

Do you have a favorite restaurant on Hawaii, the Big Island?  We love to hear about it.  Share it in the comments section below!

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With humble beginnings as a small take-out pizzeria in the quaint harbor town of Kawaihae, Cafe Pesto has evolved into an award-winning restaurant serving both the east and west coasts of Hawaii Island.

Even with the considerable competition found in the resort areas of the Kohala Coast, this stalwart has been serving up Hawaii Regional Cuisine since 1988, and doing it very well we might add.

In each of our visits to Hawaii Island, over the past five years, we have always found our way into one of their two locations.

For this article, we were invited to sample a variety of dishes from Chef Casey Halpern in their Hilo, Hawaii Island location.

We began our gastronomical journey with a Cafe Pesto Beer Sampler which showcased Mauna Kea Pale Ale, Big Wave Golden Ale, Hawaiian Crow Porter, Volcano Red Ale, and Longboard Lager.

All were served in ice-cold glasses and they really hit the spot after a long day of exploring the Island.  I really enjoyed the Volcano Red Ale, while Carol liked the Mauna Kea Pale Ale the best.  That said, all were delish!

Keeping to their roots as a take-out pizzeria, Cafe Pesto still offers a variety of classic pizzas.  Therefore, our first sampler was a Smoked Salmon Pizzette (a petite pizza w/ norwegian cold smoked salmon, rosemary gorgonzola, fresh spinach and sweet onions).  Piping hot, tasty, and a wonderful introduction to Cafe Pesto’s cuisine.

Up next was Shrimp “Half Moon” Nachos (crispy asian-style chips topped w/ smoked mozzarella, split jumbo shrimp, cilantro sour cream, mild chili dressing, and kaiwiki corn relish).  Wow!  What a wonderful collection of flavors!

Served alongside the nachos, we noshed on Coconut Crusted Calamari (set on a slaw of arugula, won bok and pickled ginger accented with honey mustard-mango dipping sauce).  Holy Monster Pieces of Calamari Batman!  These were out of this world!  If you like calamari, you gotta get these!

As the appetizer dishes were cleared away, Carol and I chastened ourselves a bit for not going a little easier on the appetizers.  We still had the main courses and dessert to go!

Smoked Salmon Pizzette

Shrimp "Half Moon" Nachos

Coconut Crusted Calamari

Osso Bucco

Wok-fired Shrimp & Scallops

Lilikoe Chessecake

Note: click photographs for larger view and available slide show.

Carol, on the other hand, opted for Wok-fired Shrimp & Scallops (pan-seared shrimp and scallops w/ chipotle tamarind sauce, hearts of palm, angel hair pasta, cilantro red pepper butter).  This is one of Cafe Pesto’s signature dishes, and I got my hands slapped numerous times as I reached across the table to swipe shrimp and scallops from Carol’s plate.  The flavors were remarkable, and was the best dish of the evening!  YUM!

Now, I have a confession to make.  I (David) am a complete sugar-aholic.  It’s not really something that I am most proud of, but when a wonderful dessert crosses my palate, the enjoyment neurons in my brain go into overload.

When I took my first bite of Lilikoi Cheesecake (new york style with macnut cookie crust and lilikoi passionfruit topping) my eyes went back in my head and I slowly savored each and every bite.  Completely and totally out of this world.  We have become HUGE fans of Lilikoi.

Well, I hope you get the idea.  If you’re in Hilo, Hawaii, you absolutely must enjoy a night of dining at Cafe Pesto.  We highly recommend it.

Hmmm.  I wonder if they ship Lilikoi Cheesecake?

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Luxury baby boomer travelers are becoming more and more drawn to Bed & Breakfast Inns when they make their vacation plans.

In a recent communique from our friends at BedandBreakfast.com, we were told that there isn’t much industry data to substantiate my  claim, but that in a recent survey of B&B travelers, almost a third (29%) stayed in more B&Bs in 2011 than the year before.

However, as frequent guests in luxury Bed & Breakfast Inns, and having the opportunity to speak with other B&B travelers, we’re finding that as the availability and quality of the B&B product rises, so too is the B&B market share of the luxury traveling market.

During our most recent trip to Hawaii, the Big Island, we decided that we would spend the entirety of our trip in luxury Bed and Breakfast Inns.

We had a marvelous time, met some great people from all over the world, and have four properties that we want to share with you.

Our Luxury Bed & Breakfast Inn Picks on Hawaii, the Big Island

Note: properties are listed in alphabetical order.

Holualoa Inn

The Holualoa Inn is located in the heart of the Kona Coffee Belt and is nestled on the slopes of Mount Hualalai with dramatic long-range ocean views.

This Bed & Breakfast Inn sits on 30 lush acres, is home to a private estate coffee plantation, offers its guests paths to stroll through beautifully manicured tropical flower gardens, and where you’ll also find ginger, papaya, avocado, and pineapple.

Upon our arrival, a friendly sign asked us to remove our shoes, and we stepped into a stunningly beautiful plantation-style mansion with indigenous eucalyptus floors, a woven Lauhala matted ceiling, and wood-paneled walls.  Further, massive open sliders allowed the gentle ocean breezes to caress our faces, as long-range views of Kona, 1500 feet below, took our breathe away.

We spent two nights in the flagship Gardenia Suite.  The attention to every detail was present, and with the cool ocean breezes circulating through the room at night, I think we just might have had the best night’s sleep in our lives.  Even as I write this, I feel a longing for that extremely comfortable bed.

Another wonderful feature of our room was a spacious seating area with a couch and rocking chair where we enjoyed a bottle of wine and watched the sun set into the distant Pacific, all while a cool ocean breeze moved about the room.  Ahhhhh!

To further add to our enjoyment, breakfast at Holualoa Inn is a very special treat.  When we walked downstairs, the lumi ‘aina (dining room) was beautifully set, and we enjoyed fabulous cuisine from the on-site chef as we visited around the table with other travelers from all over the world.  Great fun!

The Palms Cliff House Inn

The Palms Cliff House Inn features four luxury suites, and four beautiful rooms that are all designed to be a couples retreat.  All rooms have king sized beds, while the suites enjoy in-room two-person whirlpool tubs, over-sized marble showers, and a gas fireplace.

Further, all eight of the rooms offer a private deck and sit 40 feet from the cliff facing the ocean and Pohakumanu Bay.

As we turned into the property, and drove down the palm-tree-lined drive, first impressions were very high as the white Victorian inn, sitting an easy stones-throw from the ocean, came into view.

After checking into our room, we found ourselves comfortably seated on our deck, spellbound by the sights and sounds of the ocean.  There were roosters crowing, waves crashing, humpback whales blowing in the distance, frogs croaking, and a delicious ocean breeze to wrap the whole package up in a bow.  Simply heaven!

With its easterly view, you will want to get up to enjoy the sunrise before you head down to breakfast.  And speaking of breakfast, you’ll be enjoying items like Apple-Banana Pancakes, Taro Bread French Toast, Mango Dutch Bake, or perhaps a wonderful Quiche along with fresh island fruits, and great Kona Coffee while watching the morning breaking into view.  Wow!

This was our second visit to The Palms Cliff House.  We can assure that you’ll have a magical visit, and that you will walk away with the owners, John and Michele Gamble, as new friends.

Shipman House Bed & Breakfast Inn

Located just a mile from Hilo, perched atop a hill on Reed’s Island, Shipman House Bed & Breakfast Inn is Hawaii Island’s only authentic historic B&B.

Here, your host is a descendant of the original Shipman family, and you are certain to delight as you make this mansion your home for a few days, just as the monarchs of Old Hawaii did many years ago.

The home is full of period-pieces that beget the grandeur of an age gone by, but yet offers all the modern conveniences that today’s luxury travelers have come to expect.

If you fancy yourself a piano player, a 1912 Steinway Parlour Grand B lies waiting, and you can join  Queen Lili`uokalani and many others who have tickled its ivories.

We spent two nights in Auntie Clara’s Shell Room where we enjoyed ocean views of Hilo Bay as well as the early morning sunrise.

As is quite common with a luxury B&B, breakfast was out of this world.

We noshed on exotic fruits from the property, poi muffins slathered in lilikoi jam (oh, you haven’t lived until you’ve had lilikoi jam), Kona coffee, and a host of other traditional breakfast delights.

While all of this was quite remarkable, perhaps the highlight of my stay was watching Carol take her very first Hula dancing lessons on the glass-enclosed lanai.  Oh, we also loved the rocking chairs on the grand front porch!

Waianuhea

Waianuhea (cool, soft fragrance, as of upland forests) is a B&B Inn set in a remote setting, 2,500 feet above the Hamakua coast, on the slopes Mauna Kea.

As a side note, our GPS completely let us down in our attempt to get to this property.  Make certain that you have the written instructions from the folks at Waianuhea, or you’ll wind up driving the backwoods of Hawaii Island for a few hours, like we did.  ACK!

This property is distinctive from the others in that it is totally off the grid.  Electricity  is solar generated, Internet and TV programs are beamed from satellites, while the water comes from the ample supplies of the surrounding rainforest.

When you make your reservations, you’ll want to request the Malamalama room.  This king junior suite is the largest in the main house, features a cherry sleigh bed, the owners favorite armchair, and a twin-sleeper sofa.

The bath features a large soaking tub, and the views from this room include the lily pond, the top of Mauna Kea, and on a clear day the beautiful blue Pacific ocean.  To further add romance to the room, we also enjoyed a gas fireplace.

When considering your dinner plans, we highly recommend that you stay on-property to enjoy the optional 4-course gourmet meal prepared by an on-site chef.  We did, and it was fabulous!

In the morning, we enjoyed a wonderful hot gourmet breakfast as we gazed out the window to witness a fresh blanket of snow atop Mauna Kea.  As we have often found the case, by the end of our meal, we and our breakfast companions had formed a large circle as we all shared travel stories for nearly an hour!  Big fun!

Google Map to Hawaii Island’s Luxury Bed & Breakfast Inns

View Luxury Bed & Breakfasts on Hawaii Island in a larger map

While location may ultimately drive your decision as to which of these B&Bs you might visit, we are very confident that you would enjoy a stay in any of them.

If you enjoyed this article, please follow us at our website, our Facebook page, and on Twitter.  Original article link: http://www.theroamingboomers.com/luxury-bed-and-breakfast-inns-on-hawaii-the-big-island/

One of our greatest joys is unearthing unbelievable hideaways and sharing them with you.

Such was the case when we spent a night at  The Falls at Reed’s Island, a vacation rental home in Hilo, on Hawaii, the Big Island.

This Hawaiian vacation rental home sleeps six, so we invited friends also staying on the Island to come spend a night with us.  While the guys were unloading the luggage from the trunks of our cars, we saw our three wives literally running out the door and screaming, “you’re not going to believe this”, they cried, “drop the luggage and come look!”

Clearly sensing the urgency in their voices, we did as we were told, and went into the house to witness the most remarkable sight we’ve ever seen from a private home.  This vacation rental home has its own private, mammoth waterfall in the backyard!

This waterfall was photographed from the backyard of this Hawaiian Vacation Rental Home!

It’s no exaggeration when I say that we all ran around in complete unbelief for nearly 45 minutes.  Every single bedroom had the most remarkable view.  Every room in the house was privy to the sounds of the crashing waterfall, and we all felt as though we were actually witnessing a little piece of Eden.

Even though the house was in the city of Hilo, and only a mile from the ocean, the house was situated on the very tip of a private island with sheer tropical cliffs completely engulfing the property. To help give you a little perspective, that waterfall is over two-stories high!

The other remarkable thing, in our view, is this world-class property is very fairly priced.  We give The Falls at Reeds Island our very highest recommendation.

Disclosure:  our remarkable stay was provided by the very kind owners of The Falls at Reed’s Island.  Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

If you enjoyed this article, please follow us at our website, our Facebook page, and on Twitter.  Original article link: http://www.theroamingboomers.com/hilo-hawaii-vacation-rental-home-features-a-private-waterfall/

Fine dining is a significant part of the travel experience for our nation’s 79 million baby boomers.

Furthermore, when a baby boomer is spending time on Hawaii, the Big Island, nothing is more alluring than fine dining with tiki torches aglow, a gentle ocean breeze, and a beachfront table to watch the sun set into the Pacific.

We have now journeyed to Hawaii, the Big Island for the past five winters.  We  have sampled nearly every romantic, sunset dining experience up and down the western side of the island, and feel eminently qualified to share with you what we think are the best of the best.

Top Five Sunset Dining Spots on Hawaii, the Big Island

#1 - Pahuia at the Four Seasons Hualalai

The restaurant Pahuia enjoys a beachside location in  Hawaii’s only resort to garner both a AAA Five-Diamond Award, and a Forbes Five-Star Award.  Pahuia  has been a AAA Four-Diamond restaurant for the past consecutive 12-years, and is also a member of the distinquished DIRONA list.

At your table, Executive Chef James Babian and his team pay homage to Hawaii’s bounty and the surrounding Pacific Ocean, all while you enjoy Four Seasons legendary service and hospitality.

After you settle down with a nice bottle of wine from Pahuia’s extensive wine list, it’s now time to order appetizers. We recommend Hawaiian Ahi Poke (sea asparagus, ogo, maui onions, white shoyu sesame oil – prepared table-side),  Island Shrimp (tapioca crusted, yuze ogo butter hijiki), and Baozi (lilikoi barbecued wild boar, steamed bun).  Wow!

For your main course, specialties include Keahole Lobster Curry (heirloom carrots, fennel, kabocha pumkin big island curry sauce, pilaf style bamboo rice), Ahi (furikake crusted local shrimp, kabocha pumpkin puree, tobiko-miso butter sauce), or perhaps a nice piece of local Opah (atop short rib succotash).

The perfect ending to your romantic sunset dinner just might be Pahuia’s Soufflé of the Evening.

We greatly enjoyed our experience dining at Pahuia, and highly recommend it to you as our #1 pick.

Dress is resort casual.  Price range = $$$$

Tapioca-crusted Island Shrimp

Baozi

Ahi

Note: click photographs for large view and available slide show.

#2 – Beach Tree at the Four Seasons Hualalai

I thought long and hard about putting another Four Seasons restaurant on our list.  However, the simple truth is, it’s our #2 pick!

The Beach Tree restaurant, named after the tree on the right, also resides in a beautiful beachfront location in the Four Seasons Hualalai.

This restaurant is described as having “barefoot elegance” as guests are welcome in their shorts and flip-flops.  Further, the cuisine is best described as Italian and Mediterranean cuisine with California and tropical influences.

Once in a while, a dish comes across my path that makes me want to jump atop my table and do a happy dance.  The Veal Osso Bucco Lasagna (hamkua mushrooms) is one that had me giving it serious consideration.  Veal Osso Bucco in Lasagna?  Who ever heard of such a thing!  Holy Mouthgasm Batman!

Two other stand out dishes include Gnocchi Ox Tail Ragout, and Chef Nick’s Paella – For Two.  Both were unbelievable!

After you’ve filled your belly on these remarkable dishes, don’t forget to sample a Beach Tree Banana Split!

Dress is casual.  Price range = $$$

Veal Osso Bucco Lasagna

Gnocchi Ox Tail Ragout

Chef Nick’s Paella – For Two

Note: click photographs for large view and available slide show.

#3 – Manta & Pavillion Wine Bar in the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel

This restaurant sits in the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel built by Laurence Rockefeller in 1965.  The resort is the Island’s #2 resort, behind the Four Seasons Hualalai, and has a list of accolades as long as your arm.

The setting for our dinner at Manta & Pavilion Wine Bar was one I imagine to be written in the pages of a romance novel.  We sat under tiki torches and watched the sun set and then sizzle into the Pacific ocean.  As darkness approached, a spotlight shined into the gentle waves of the ocean as a sort of calling beacon to any nearby manta rays.

Carol and I started our meal with a shared bowl of Kabocha Pumpkin Soup (Kalua Pig, Volcano Ohelo Berries, Truffle Marshmallow).  Let me just say that this was hands down, the best serving of pumpkin soup we have ever encountered.

For our entreés, we enjoyed  Seared Ahi, and Braised Short Ribs.

One of the unusual features of this restaurant is the Enomatic wine dispenser.  It’s kind of like a soda fountain for wine.  With the Enomatic, you’ll be able to enjoy small tastes as you chose from 48 of the world’s best wines.

When visiting, make certain that you leave time to stroll and enjoy the architecture, and artifacts on display, of Laurence Rockefeller.  It’s a wonderful way to walk off your dinner.

Dress is resort casual.  Price range = $$$$

Kabocha Pumpkin Soup

Seared Ahi

Braised Short Ribs

Note: click photographs for large view and available slide show.

#4 – The Canoe House at The Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows

My first impression of The Canoe House restaurant, after walking through the beautiful resort to reach this beach-side location, was of the multiple spotlights shining down from the trees onto the crashing waves.  Once the sun had set, the spotlights lighting up the azure waves against a completely black Pacific ocean backdrop was really quite remarkable.

Here, Executive Chef Sandy Tuason has developed a market fresh menu focusing on the Island fresh ingredients of Hawaii.

Here we were joined by Bree Dallwitz (the Aussie Director of Public Relations) for dinner, and before long we were sipping on a flute of champagne, and enjoying beginnings like Duo of Ahi Tuna, a Crudo Tasting, Pumpkin Ravioli, Kabocha Squash Soup, and Hamakua Springs Heirloom Tomatoes.  Wow!

As we continued our sampling into the main courses, we noshed on Opakapaka, Ono, and incredible Colorado Rack of Lamb w/ potato pancake, Beef Short Ribs, and Hamakua Mushroom Risotto.  As our side dish, we couldn’t resist Baked Mac N’ Cheese (Gruyere, White Cheddar, Comte with Truffles).  Holy jump up and down Batman.  Absolutely astounding!

And of course, our waiter wouldn’t let us leave until we sampled the Cloud Forest Farm Organic Coffee Rice Pudding.  Oh!  That was good, and required a letting out of the belt one notch.  Wowza!

Dress is resort casual.  Price range = $$$$

Short Ribs

Rack of Lamb

Ahi

Note: click photographs for large view and available slide show.

#5 – Huggo’s Restaurant

Our fifth choice will take us out of the beautiful resorts of the Kohala Coast and into the heart of Kailua Kona.

Huggo’s opened in 1969 as a casual, gathering spot where you could get a good steak, a slab of fresh fish and pile it on at the salad bar. With its waterfront location, it proved to be a favorite haunt for local fisherman who gathered to share a salty tale or two.

In the 35 years since, it has earned a reputation as Kona’s premiere restaurant for fresh seafood, oceanfront ambiance and casual elegance.

This is the most casual restaurant, with the most casual setting of the bunch.  But, it still offers great food, sunsets, and fun.

Here we enjoyed  Half Dozen Big Island Farm Raised Kumamoto Oysters (Local Citrus Mignonette and Wasabi Tobiko), Locally Caught Ahi Tuna Poke (Maui Onions, Hawaiian Chili Peppers, Exotic Chips and Poi Vinaigrette),  and then shared  Island Fresh Catch (Swordfish, Spicy Sichimi Togarashi, Molokai Sweet Potato Puree, Asian Sprout Salad, Lemongrass Haupia Sauce).

Wow!  This was right up there with the best fish we ever had.  Absolutely fantastic!

After dinner, as this restaurant is located in the historic district of Kailua Kona, you’ll want to take a walk through the areas shops, boutiques, and art galleries.

Dress is casual.  Price range = $$$

Big Island Farm Raised Kumamoto Oysters

Locally Caught Ahi Tuna Poke

Island Fresh Catch

Note: click photographs for large view and available slide show.

There you have it, our Top Five Sunset Dining Spots on Hawaii, the Big Island.  All sit on the beach, all offer beautiful sunset views, and all offer outstanding cuisine.

Disclosure:  all of these marvelous dining experiences were provided to us by the individual restaurants.

If you enjoyed this article, please follow us at our website, our Facebook page, and on Twitter.  Original article link: http://www.theroamingboomers.com/sunset-dining-hawaii-big-island/

As an amateur photographer, botanical gardens are a magnet when we’re traveling.  The exotic local flora always provides colorful subjects, and always provides the opportunity to bathe the eye in rich, saturated color.

I captured this beautiful subject in the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden located just north of Hilo, Hawaii Island.

Here’s a little background on this unusual piece of paradise:

“The Garden [Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden] was created through the untiring efforts of one man, Dan J. Lutkenhouse, who discovered Onomea Valley in 1977 while vacationing with his wife, Pauline. Mr. Lutkenhouse purchased the 17-acre parcel for its seclusion and beauty, without knowing exactly what to do with it. Quickly abandoning ideas for a commercial venture which would destroy the natural environment, he decided instead to establish a botanical garden to preserve the valley and its beauty forever.

When first located by the Lutkenhouses, Onomea Valley was an overgrown and virtually impenetrable jungle, choked with wild invasive trees, weed and thorn thickets, and strangling vines.

Mr. Lutkenhouse sold his 40-year-old trucking business in San Francisco and moved to the island of Hawaii in order to devote himself full time to the development of the Garden.

Every day for eight years, Pauline would pack Dan a brown bag lunch and he would disappear into the jungle, returning at night dirty and tired, but happy. During that time Dan, his assistant Terry Takiue, and two helpers worked with cane knives, sickles, picks, shovels, and a chain saw clearing paths through the jungle. All the work was done by hand to avoid disturbing the natural environment or destroying valuable plants and tree roots. The men kept a slow and easy pace, so as not to suffer heat stroke or dehydration in the steamy jungle. The work would continue seven days a week until the Garden opened to the public in 1984.

Trails were hewn from hard lava rock with picks and shovels. To keep the soil from compacting and the natural beauty from being destroyed, no tractors were used; excess rock was removed and gravel brought in by wheelbarrow. Mr. Lutkenhouse followed the contours of the land in designing the Garden trails, which curve and wind their way throughout the jungle. Gradually, secret landscapes revealed themselves. It took years of carefully clearing the jungle before Mr. Lutkenhouse discovered the crown jewel of the Garden – a three-tiered waterfall said to be the most beautiful in all Hawaii.

Though Mr. Lutkenhouse has no formal botanical training, with his love of nature he has created a living tapestry in keeping with the intimate nature of the site. Subtle vistas unfold as you meander along the Garden paths. Patterned foliage and brilliantly colored flowers invite close inspection, enticing you further into the mysteries of the jungle. This is the allure of paradise. The Hawaiians have a word for it – aina, or “the spirit of the land.”

Mr.Lutkenhouse, himself, has chosen the location of every plant and tree introduced to the Garden. From the Lily Lake Vista, more species of plants can be seen in one place than anywhere else on earth. Over 110 species have been counted within this vista, most planted by Mr. Lutkenhouse and his staff.”  (via www.htbg.com)

If you find yourself on Hawaii Island, we heartily recommend a couple hours of wandering through this beautiful botanical garden.

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Note: click for larger view

Over the past four years, Hawaii, the Big Island has been our annual winter visit to the tropics.

We love Hawaii Island because it’s bigger than all the other Hawaiian islands combined, has one of the world’s most active volcanoes, and has two volcanic peaks that rise from sea level to nearly 14,000 feet.

Of all the islands, Hawaii Island is the most ecologically diverse, with natural environments ranging from the desert plains of Ka‘u to the rain forests above Hilo, to sometimes snowcapped Maunakea. There are said to be 13 climatic regions on earth and Hawaii Island has all but two, the Arctic and the Saharan.

We could sing the praises of Hawaii Island for hours.  However, the thing that we like most about Hawaii Island is that it is somewhat undiscovered by most American travelers.

Think about it, a somewhat undiscovered Hawaiian island that is barron of the massive throngs of people found on some of the neighboring islands.  For decades, smart travelers have quietly visited, built homes, and enjoyed this tropical paradise without the boat loads of tourists found elsewhere.

Shhh.  Don’t tell anyone our secret!

We are soon to make another trek to Hawaii Island, sponsored by our friends at the Big Island Visitors Bureau, and they wanted us to share with you that Hawaii Island is also the land of big adventure.

Here’s a recent release from Hawaii Island:

How long will the eruption last? No one knows but back up near the summit, at the park visitors’ center, rangers can tell explorers all about trails, campgrounds, guided hikes and Hawaiian cultural activities. Respected tour companies also offer interpretative drives and hikes through the park.

And down the road, visitors can explore the Kazumura lava tube system—the deepest, longest, tallest known lava tube system on Earth, on a guided trek.

Ocean Commotion – Hawai‘i Island has 266 miles of coastline—more than double that of any other Hawaiian Island—and there are many ways to explore the warm, clear ocean that surrounds us. Start with charter boats—traditional Hawaiian outriggers for paddling or sailing, cush catamarans for snorkeling and scuba expeditions to tucked- away bays, sturdy craft for close-up views of lava exploding into the sea, even a real submarine with very big windows. And don’t forget the stalwart yachts that cruise Kona’s famous deep-sea fishing grounds, hooking some of the world’s most spectacular fighting fish. Adventurers can also rent kayaks to discover hidden coves on their own for snorkeling and secluded picnics.

But you don’t need a boat to enjoy the ocean around Hawai‘i Island.

Surfing (he‘e nalu) was invented by Hawaiians, and Hawai‘i Island surf breaks are so treasured that songs and chants have been written about them. Surf lessons are a perfect way to learn where to go and what to do. Two local favorites are Honoli‘i Beach Park outside of Hilo, and Kahalu‘u Beach Park just south of Kailua Village.

Scuba guides will lead newbies or old salts out into the sparkling blue right from shore along the Kona and Kohala coasts, swirling through arches and caves, racing green sea turtles and flying weightless underwater. Or just put on your mask and snorkel and float in the shallows at one of the many beaches around the island where families love to gather. Or don’t even get your face wet—tip-toe among the tidepools and see a whole miniature world you never knew existed.

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Star Struck – The ocean is pretty deep, but not compared to the heavens. At the 13,796- foot summit of Maunakea stand the planet’s most powerful astronomical observatories. From here, telescopes peer billions of light-years into the universe. Before going to the summit, cosmos-oriented dreamers will want to stop at the 9,300-foot visitors’ center and peer through portable telescopes to the rings of Saturn and beyond. Then they can drive or take a tour to the summit, be dazzled by a sky shimmering with more stars than they’ve probably ever seen, and stand next to the giant observatories that, at that very moment, might be discovering extraordinary new truths about our universe.

I shot this on Hawaii, the Big Island.

These two chairs were perched on a little peninsula of black lava hovering about 25 feet above the ocean.  Each morning, you could witness folks frantically vying for this prime spot on the beach.  It brought a smile to my face as I witnessed this daily display of human behavior.

When I’m out on a photo shoot, I am always looking for ways to bring human emotion into my photographs.  Here, the man is captured by the beautiful scene in a quiet trance, while his wife is busily trying to get the cap off of her bottle of sunscreen.

The temperature was a perfect 80 degrees.  There were no clouds in the skies.  If you closed your eyes, you were immediately transported to a very still place as the gentle ocean breeze caressed your face.

Isn’t this a place where you’d like to spend the day?

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Adding to the allure  of the restaurant is its ocean-front setting on ‘Onea Bay in historic Kailua Village where boutiques, galleries, and specialty shops await you for an after dinner stroll.

In 1982, Eric von Platen Luder took over the day-to-day operation from his parents and restaurant founders, Shirley and Hugo, and carries on its family-owned traditions with a touch of  “New Hawaiian” cuisine.

After we were seated, I snapped the photograph above to share with you the wonderful setting and ambiance Huggo’s restaurant offers its guests.

We ordered a nice glass of wine and began our gastronomical journey with Tempura Big Island Ho’i'o Fern Shoots (Namasu and Ponzu Dipping Sauce). The fern is known in Maui as pohole ferns, ho’i'o on Hawaii, called pako in the Philippines and known as warabi in Japan and kosade in Korea.  The ho’i'o is a wild fern that grows in the moist rainforest environments of Hawaii, the Big Island. (Source: Specialty Produce Website)

Disposed to trying new things, we ordered and enjoyed!

Next on our journey was Half Dozen Big Island Farm Raised Kumamoto Oysters (Local Citrus Mignonette and Wasabi Tobiko).  Carol isn’t big on oysters, so I enjoyed five of these babies all by myself.  YUM!

For our third appetizer, we enjoyed Locally Caught Ahi Tuna Poke (Maui Onions, Hawaiian Chili Peppers, Exotic Chips and Poi Vinaigrette).  Major yumminess and worthy of applause!

We then shared an Arugula Salad and moved on to Huggo’s piéce de résistance:  Island Fresh Catch (Swordfish, Spicy Sichimi Togarashi, Molokai Sweet Potato Puree, Asian Sprout Salad, Lemongrass Haupia Sauce).  Wow!  This was right up there with the best fish we ever had.  Absolutely fantastic!

Well, we were ready to call it a night, but Huggo’s wouldn’t hear of it.  They insisted that we try their Hualalai Ice Cream Pie (Kona Coffee Ice Cream, Chocolate Cookie Crust, Topped w/ Fudge and Whipped Cream).  Not wanting to offend our hosts, we had to agree.  Right?

Wowza!  We didn’t put a dent in this monster, but it sure was good!

Well, as much as we hated to see the beautiful ocean sunset turn to darkness, it was now time for our wonderful journey to end as well.

We enjoyed a wonderful dining experience and can wholeheartedly recommend Huggo’s restaurant to you when you visit Kailua Kona on Hawaii, the Big Island.

Disclosure:  this wonderful dining experience was provided by the kind folks at Huggo’s restaurant.  Thanks!  Photography by David A. Porter.

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St. Regis Princeville Resort ~ Kauai, Hawaii – When I was a kid, we didn’t get a color television set until I was 16 years old.  A striking childhood memory was watching the Wizard of Oz in full living color at a friend’s home.  I was completely awe-struck when my black-and-white television experience exploded into technicolor on their television.

The island of Kauai brought back to my mind the sharp distinctions between bright, vibrant colors and the potential for gray muted colors with its rainforest draped mountains.

Mount Waialeale, in the center of Kauai, is said to be the rainiest place on earth and receives as much as 460 to 600 inches of rain per year.

What this means to a baby boomer traveler is that a visit to the North Shore of Kauai is likely to expose you to its tropical rains, and a properly adjusted set of expectations is well in order.

Now, I’m not suggesting that you will never see the sun.  However, the possibility does exist.

Our visit to the beautiful St. Regis Princeville Resort was beset by a massive winter storm system that sat overhead for the whole duration of our visit.

Disappointing?  Sure.

But, this storm brought hundreds of waterfalls into life, and we were able to experience unfathomable sites that we would not otherwise have seen.

My photograph of Bali Hai (above) illustrates my point precisely.

Most fortunately, if we grew weary of wet weather, we always had the remarkable St. Regis Princeville Resort to make our escape and bathe in pure four-star luxury.

Following a multi-million dollar renovation, the St. Regis Princeville opened in 2009 and became Hawaii’s first St. Regis property offering the legendary brand’s unparallelled services and amenities.

St. Regis Princeville is located on the North Shore of the magnificent island of Kaua‘i, built on historic grounds beside the emerald green Hanalei Valley and overlooking the awe-inspiring Napali Coast.  The St. Regis Princeville Resort is surrounded by five majestic mountains, a patchwork of taro farms, a wildlife refuge, equestrian paths and hiking trails.

Our Favorite St. Regis Princeville Memories

• The St. Regis Princeville serves up a very powerful first impression.  After the very attentive staff quickly checked us into our room, the first views of the bay, with the tropical mountain backdrop was nothing short of stunning.
• Sitting on our patio, and gazing upon the unbelievable panorama left us completely gobsmacked!  (love that word)
• The sand beach, the spectacular infinity pool, the lime-colored umbrellas to lounge underneath, the large black boulders strewn along the shore, the smell of perhaps the freshest air on earth, and the mystique that this is home to Puff the Magic Dragon and Bali Hai all combine to make this a very magical place.
• Our peek-a-boo shower was an interesting first experience.  The glass shower formed the wall in the main area of the room.   If you so desired, you could watch your lover shower while working at your desk.  For those who might be far more discrete, a simple flick of a switch in the bathroom fogged the glass so that there was complete privacy.
• Dining at the Kaua‘i Grill, and reveling in the exquisite cuisine of internationally acclaimed chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten.  To add significant drama his cuisine, the restaurant featured spectacular views of Hanalei Bay with panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows.
• The resort’s service was impeccable in every way.

The significant romance, and the penultimate luxury found at the St. Regis Princeville left a pronounced impression in our minds, and has earned a place in our hearts that we definitely, most assuredly, must again visit.

If you want a place dripping in romance, surrounded by inexpressible beauty, and desire pampering fit for the Royals, then we highly recommend the St. Regis Princeville.

We both want to go back.  Now!

Disclosure:  A portion of our experience was provided by the kind folks at the St. Regis Princeville Resort.  Thanks!  Further, a portion of our travel expenses were provided by the kind people of the State of Hawaii through their Visitors and Conventions Bureau.  Thanks Hawaii!