Big Island - October 2023

Source: Mauna Kea Beach Hotel 

We just returned from a short visit to the Big Island. This trip, we stayed at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. The resort was developed by Laurance Rockefeller in the mid-1960s and was the first resort on the Big Island. Previously, we stayed at the next door Westin Hapuna Beach Resort. Both are great hotels and locations.

Upon entering the hotel, you are immediately welcomed by two golden statues. At the registration desk, we received a lei, a refreshing guava drink and cool towel. The beautiful Polynesian and Asian cultural art pieces displayed around the hotel added to the Hawaiian ambience.

On a side note: The banana bread made by the hotel is particularly delicious - moist and nut-free. You can purchase a half loaf ($18) or full loaf ($36) from the Mauna Kea Market, in the hotel lobby. Note that a full loaf is about 16-18 inches in length. A full loaf order is cut in half for easier handling. It is best to order your loaf the day before you leave the islands. 

Hotel Entrance from Driveway

Hotel Lobby

Koi Ponds

View of Pool and Ocean

There are many water, sport and cultural activities available at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. We participated in the dinner luau. I also joined the early morning (6am) welcoming of the sun by participating in a "E Ala E" ceremony with the hotel's cultural ambassador, Healani Kimitete-Ah Mow. Apparently, most hotel guests were still sleeping at this early Wednesday morning time as I was the only participant. On Friday, I again attended the morning ceremony - this time with my sister and two other hotel guests. If you're thinking of joining the ceremony, wearing a swim suit is a good idea as you enter the waters at Kauna 'oa Beach (aka Mauna Kea Beach).

"E Ala E" Arise and Awaken Early Morning Ceremony

Imu Ceremony, Opening of the Underground Oven
to Remove a Cooked 105 pound Pig for the Luau.

Blowing of The Pu, Marking the Luau Beginning

During our Big Island visit, we drove over to Paauilo to Donna's Cookies. The shop is open until 2pm on weekdays and you can purchase a customized half gallon or gallon jar of your favorite cookies. This stop is always included in our Big Island itinerary. 

Source: Donna's Cookies

We also stopped for lunch and a tour at the Hawaiian Vanilla Company, just about ten minutes from Donna's Cookies. This vanilla farm offers a delicious lunch, with each lunch item infused with vanilla. The Roselani vanilla ice cream was especially delicious. You can also purchase a variety of items, including vanilla extract and vanilla bean kits for making your own vanilla extract as well as coffee, pecans, salad dressing, cornbread mix, waffle/pancake mix and chutney - all infused with Hawaiian vanilla. If you are interested in lunch, advance reservations are needed.

Source: Hawaiian Vanilla Company

There are many dining options within a 45 minute drive (or less) from the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. Here are a few that we enjoyed. Note that we found that many restaurants closed early - 8pm-9pm - and are not open seven days a week. Advance dinner reservations are advised.

• Napua Restaurant, 68-1292 S. Kaniku Dr, Waikoloa Village, HI
• Jackie Rey’s, 75-5995 Kuakini Hwy, Kailuna-Kona, HI0 
• Tommy Bahama’s, 68-1330 Mauna Lani Dr, #102, Kamuela, HI
• Sansei Seafood Restaurant and Sushi Bar, Queens Market Place, 201 Waikoloa, HI