
More Places to Explore on the Big Island, Hawaii
Another beautiful day on the Big Island driving along the Kohala Coast to Waimea. Waimea The mid week farmers market in Waimea sells vibrant produce grown in the rich volcanic soil. I can never eat enough of the juicy tomatoes and green leaf lettuce during my visits. Fresh from the earth is best and this...



Pink Pancakes and Shrimp
Sunday morning as I walked to the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Waikiki, I saw this cute couple sitting at the bus stop. I stopped and chatted with them while they were waiting the bus to church. Gary and Taemi live in Honolulu but he was wearing a Raiders face mask. Turns out Gary was raised...



Finding new treats and a new friend on Big Island, Hawaii
One of our favorite restaurants on the Big Island, Hawaii, is Mai Grille by Chef Allen Hess. The restaurant is the “Home of Bacon” cured in-house. We invited a woman sitting by herself to join us and learned Arianna was from Sicily, Italy. Arianna is working on her PhD in bioengineering and was on Hawaii...



Our food adventure in Wailea, Maui
Where to find very fresh fish in Maui? Miso Phat! In 2016 the restaurant was featured on Guy’s Diners, Drive ins and Dives. I was able to take a picture of owner Joy and two great sushi chefs with Guy’s signature on the wall behind them. I ate the TNT roll-shrimp tempura, crab and ahi...



Big Island, Hawaii-Coffee and Chantilly Cake
Anytime is coffee time, and I discovered the Kona Mountain Coffee store on the Big Island. The coffee is 100% grown and hand picked on the family’s Kona farm, then roasted in the store. I met the owner Bill Dwyer and his daughter Heather, and they are committed to producing the smoothest coffees. Chocolate candies...



Big Jake and Randy Serving Big Island Style BBQ
BBQ at the roadside stand Big Jake’s in Honaunau, south of Capt Cook, Big Island, Hawaii. It’s all about the barbecue ribs, meats and chicken cooked over keawe wood by Jake. Jake was raised on the island, cooked in many established kitchens and is a certified bbq pit master. You know its good bbq when...



The Sweet Side of Hilo, Hawaii
Guava, mango and lilikoi flavors are some of the traditional Hawaiian flavors used by a classically French trained chef in Hilo, Hawaii. Baking with butter and squeezing fresh fruit juices are the heartbeat of the kitchen. Buttery butterscotch Hilo bar Chef and owner Maria Short of Short N Sweet Bakery and Café in Hilo on...



Italian Style Dining on Big Island
Move over poi and luau pig. On the Island of Hawaii, Pueo’s Osteria is on the radar more than the spouting volcano. Neatly tucked away in an older Hawaiian style courtyard, the villa-like surroundings, with soft yellows and a muted green stone wall, feels like Tuscany. It’s quite an authentic Italian atmosphere and we didn’t...



Italian Dining on the Big Island
Move over luau pig on the Island of Hawaii, Pueo’s Osteria Italian restaurant is on the radar more than the spouting volcano. An Italian Atmosphere in a small Hawaiian village Tucked away in an older Hawaiian style courtyard, Pueo’s evokes the feeling of being in Tuscany. Reminiscent of a villa, with soft yellows, muted green...
Dining in Hawaii: More Than Poi on the Big Island
Casual island vibes are in the air as eateries bring variety to the Hawaii restaurant scene with distinct and tempting food. By MLiss A Hinshaw Kohala Burger and Taco Food in Hawaii has come a long way and is more diverse than heaping plates of loco moco and cups of pineapple whip. Of course, tourists want...



Maui Bakeries: a Feast for the Senses
With map in hand, I set out to explore four bakeries to experience island indulgences and hopefully some unexpected trade winds surprises By MLiss A Hinshaw I often think of Hawaii as proud of poi and dishing out lots of fish and pineapple. A drive around the island of Maui proved there’s lots of sweet...
Fresh catch in Tidepools restaurant, Kauai, Hawaii
Kauai, known as the Garden Island, is the oldest island in the Hawaiian chain full of graceful waterfalls and the scenic Grand Canyon of the Pacific. Fresh mahi mahi with jasmine rice in banana leaf In the southern part of the island is the town of Poipu, gently dotting the shoreline with sandy beaches, rolling...