NCR~
Dear Fellow Chippers,
If U all are going to vacation in Kailua Kona, Hawaii,
I flew there to attend my wife's company's convention. I was her Plus One/Spouse.
Here are a few helpful hints and places to see and dine at:
The Kona Sand and Sea Side Hotel is very inexpensive and located in the heart of Kailua Kona town. All the visiting locals stay there. Great value.
There are great local eateries: Japanese Food: HE'E restaurant. Delicious shrimp tempura, teriyaki chicken, fried Ahi fish, pork chops, miso soup and fried rice. Very inexpensive.
Breakfast: 808 Cafe. I ate their three eggs, vienna, protugese sausage, spam and bacon with rice for 9 dollars.
Lunch: Manago's restaurant and motel in Captain Cook. About 40 mins from the airport. Family style. The waitress bring a big bowl of rice, potato/mac cold salad and Ogo, which is seaweed marinated in vinegar and shoyu sauce to your table. Order the pork chops and hamburger steak with onions and gravy all around. Order the fried island fish, too. They make their own chili pepper really hot water!
Also the Pine tree Cafe is where all the local construction workers eat. Big portions. I ordered the shoyu chicken with brown rice and fresh green salad = $10.99.
Stay in the Kailua Kona town area. That's about 2 miles to the right as U drive from airport.
The resorts like the MaunaKea, MaunaLani, Hualalai and Waikoloa are about 15 miles to the left as U leave the airport. These resorts are super expensive, very isolated, and peaceful and quiet. These are great if U want to stay hidden, sun bath and R&R.
The Big Island has two towns....Kona and Hilo. Best to drive to each side only in the day time. Night driving is dark and narrow. Dangerous.
That's my Big Island report to U all.
Aloha and keep on Chipp'n!!
Q.Kamm R-8447