Hawaii Honeymoon on the Big Island

Drink Only the Best During Your Honeymoon – Kona Coffee!

March 12, 2011 By Lakaeli

Kona Coffee Plantation

You’re going to Hawaii for your honeymoon, and you love coffee (who doesn’t??) so you must be looking forward to having some delicious Kona coffee! If you’ve never had Kona coffee, you’re in for a treat; Kona coffee is smooth, a medium dark roast, with balanced flavor, and is absolutely delicious!

You don’t have to actually stay in Kona or even anywhere on the Big Island to enjoy a cup; coffee bars abound throughout the islands. Let us guide you through the best shops and bars on each island.

Oahu

Island Vintage Coffee – Located in the heart of Honolulu, in the Ala Moana Mall, this shop serves the finest 100% Kona coffee. You’ll probably be shopping in this mall anyway, so be sure to stop by and partake!

Happy Cake Cafe – Nope, this isn’t a coffee shop per say, but they do sell some yummy Kona coffee! Try their iced coffee while nibbling on a Happy Cake, a delectable cake made with pineapple, coconut and macadamia nuts – all which sound very “Hawaiian” but it’s actually quite a unique cake-eating experience!

Maui

Hawaiian Village Coffee – Located in Lahaina, there are lots of different varieties of 100% Kona coffee to choose from. Sip some Kona Peaberry while lounging in their internet cafe. They of course also serve baked goodies to much on while you browse.

Bad Ass Coffee Company – Yes, this is a chain, but it’s a small chain that serves 100% Kona coffee and that can sometimes be a little hard to find on Maui. This location is right by the airport, so take advantage after landing or right before heading home – or both!

Kauai

Java Kai – Serving Kona coffee, but lots of other varieties of coffee, food and baked goods as well. They even serve some deliciosu breakfast! This is a small chain with about a dozen locations throughout the islands and Southern California. Located in the quiet town of Hanalei, on the northern coast of Kauai.

The Big Island – Hilo

Hilo Sharks Coffee – Located right in Hilo, this shop not only serves kona coffee, but other Hawaii-grown coffees and even homemade ice cream!

Bayfront Coffee, Kava & Tea – While this shop is more about the kava experience, it’s another option if you want to check out some delicious Kona coffee while in Hilo.

The Big Island – Kona

It almost seems silly listing a Kona coffee shop in Kona when there are so many farms you could visit directly. Or you could just walk into any coffee shop in Kona and guarantee yourself some 100% Kona coffee! But we did our research and found a couple that you may want to check out:

Hula Daddy Kona Coffee – Your trip to Kona will not be complete without taking a tour of one of their many Kona coffee farms. It would be like visiting Napa Valley in California without taking a wine tour! Hula Daddy is perched atop a hill along Mamalahoa Highway, with out of this world views. The staff is super friendly and will give you a tour of their coffee growing and roasting process. And, of course, you’ll need to try their amazing coffee and will likely even buy a pound for yourselves!

Kona Blue Sky Coffee – Yet another coffee plantation that you may want to check out. They serve some amazing coffee from beans grown right on their plantation on the side of Mt. Hualalai.

Molokai

After lots of research, it seems that we just can’t find any Kona coffee in Molokai! Honeymooners to Molokai, don’t despair, for this small peaceful island grows its own coffee that you’ll easily be able to sample at restaurants, the airports and of course, coffee shops.

Hawai’i: Visiting the Big Island

August 22, 2010 By Lakaeli

Short Version

Hilo: Picturesque, laid-back, has an “older” or more “rustic” feel. Rainy. Very green. Lush. Black or mixed sand beaches with limited access. Closer to local waterfalls and volcanoes.

Kona: Sunny, warmer than Hilo. Much less rain. Gorgeous white sand beaches. Not as laid-back; more “hustle and bustle”. Lots of resorts to choose from. Kona coffee. Still have access to touristy parts located on the east side (Hilo).

Long Version

What makes Hawai’i unique? Why choose Hawai’i for your honeymoon over any of the other islands?

Otherwise known as The Big Island, Hawai’i is the largest island (boasting 4,028 square miles compared to Maui, the second largest island, with 727.2 square miles). There are two major cities on this island: Hilo and Kailua-Kona, easily accessible from the continental US. However, choosing one of the two locations doesn’t restrict access to the other; renting a car and driving from one city to the other only takes a few hours, and there are plenty of sites along the way, such as Akaka Falls, Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens (plan for a good chunk of time for the tour, or just enjoy the four mile drive getting there) and Waipi’o Valley.

What’s even better about driving between Hilo and Kona is that you can take an alternate route back. If you start in Hilo and take Highway 19 to Kona, you can take Highway 160 to Highway 11 to get back to Hilo. It’s like one giant circle, and only takes a few hours each way! Whichever way you go, you will be in for a breathtakingly scenic drive along the entire coast of Hawai’i.

Whether you stay in Kona or Hilo, you can visit the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The park offers hiking trails, campgrounds, and tours. The highlight of this park, however, is Kilauea, an active volcano that has been continuously erupting since 1983. Visit the park in the evening (arrive no later than 8pm) to truly enjoy the spectacular sight of molten lava. Another option: a lava boat tour, allowing you to witness lava pouring into the ocean. Don’t forget your camera!

The Big Island's 5 shield volcanoes

Hilo

Hilo is located on the east coast of Hawai’i and boasts gorgeous views, resorts, condominiums for rent, bed and breakfasts, waterfalls and more for you and your new spouse to enjoy. Rainbow Falls is a popular tourist location; try to get there after a light rain (which is often) at sunrise. At this time of day you’re more likely to enjoy this waterfall’s namesake: a gorgeous rainbow! Visit Lili’uokalani Park for a relaxing afternoon or Richardson Beach Park for snorkeling. Hilo receives, on average, between 150 to 200 inches of rainfall per year, giving Hilo its lush tropical feel year round. Avoid March, April, November and December if you’re not into dealing with too much rain.

If you’re looking to laying out on warm, sunny beaches day after day for your honeymoon, Hilo probably isn’t the place for you. But if you’re into green (very green) scenery, waterfalls, breathtaking views, museums and quaint stores, definitely consider Hilo for your honeymoon.

Kailua-Kona: The West Side of The Big Island

When you first hear “Kona”, what’s the first thing that pops into your head? Coffee! You can find Kona coffee anywhere in Hawaii, but check out where this coffee is actually grown. There are many Kona Coffee farms to choose from, but no matter which you visit, sit and enjoy a delicious cup of Kona coffee – from the source!

While Hilo is lush with plenty of rainfall, Kona is relatively warm and dry year-round. Stay in Kona if you’re into relaxing on sunny, sandy beaches and don’t mind the influx of tourists. There’s also plenty of shopping, whale watching, and did we mention shopping?

Kona is divided into South Kona District and North Kona District. They both have their subtle differences, such as the greater number of coffee farms in South Kona, but you will find white beaches in either area.