In 2019, I visited Hawaii for the first time for the Feast of Tabernacles & 8th Day (religious festivals celebrated each year) and two years later, I returned! Well, we returned, I don’t mean to sound like I went on my own. This trip was Glen’s third time to Hawaii.

I’ve now been to Maui as well as the Big Island. Both beautiful, but I really liked Kona and that area, it so interesting with the hard, dark, rocky lava fields and then the golden soft grasses somehow managing to grow there – here’s an example although my photos don’t do justice:

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So, what did we do? Well, our last trip, we hiked and went on a helicopter tour, other adventure things, so this time – aside from church, – we really just enjoyed the beach, the ocean and spending time with old friends as well as making new ones.

I’m going to share my four favorite restaurants – not necessarily in any order, but if you visit Kona area, definitely check these out:

The food!

Halani is part of the Mauna Lani – Auberge Resorts, which seems like a pretty impressive place.

It was so much fun trying mai thais at the different restaurants we tried – I found that I really liked them frozen, maybe because of how warm it was outside, but Halani’s on the rocks was really good!

Merriman’s might be my #1 favorite restaurant on the Big Island (that we tried) but I unfortunately don’t have any (good) photos. Really good mai thai! For food, I recommend the lamb AND get it with the jalapeño whipped potatoes. I think they have a good wine menu but I was not thinking of having anything more after the mai thai, so beware! I was really happy that we were able to go twice while we were there

Hale l’Da Fish House –

Our friends Wynn & Crystal recommended this place, and I am so glad that they did. Excellent poke with really fresh fish. And it doesn’t look like much, but it really delivered!

Last but CERTAINLY not least, the Canoe House

The tuna tartare was probably my favorite…and the dessert wine was quite good 🙂

I’m really hoping we can go back next year, and we will certainly go back to these spots if we are able to travel there!