The Hurdles of Paradise!
My time in Hawaii was good, but a struggle at times. It’s the first time back to the islands under Covid restrictions and Hawaii made it very difficult (on purpose) to visit paradise.
There were many hurdles to jump over. Starting with a Covid test within 3 days of travel. I flew on Hawaiian Airlines. Hawaiian had a contract covid testing site at the airport in San Jose, California. I paid 90 bucks and within 2 hours they had my results. Negative of course!
At check-in on travel day I had to produce a couple of documents to prove I was Covid free and clear to board the flight. That took a while, it was a full flight, every person had to be manually checked-in, and asked a series of questions along with your covid test results. And yes, it did not matter if you were vaccinated or not, you still had to covid test and produce the documentation of the results.
Once I landed in Honolulu, I had to go through the same Covid check-in process again, in order to board my connecting flight to Kona on the Big Island.
Once in Kona, I waited in-line over an hour, for yet again, the same process plus a new covid test. After the test, I was given a stern warning that if I tested positive, government agents would visit me at the condo, to ensure I would quarantine 14 days.
When I cleared that process I boarded a shuttle to get a rental car that I reserved a month before arrival. Due to a nationwide shortage of rental cars, I waited an hour or so to get a car. I was waiting for a car to be returned, cleaned, and redeployed. Avis sold most of its fleet during the initial pandemic to stay afloat as a business. Then a surge of travel happened and they fell short of cars.
But that’s okay. After all, I am here, I made it, and I’m in paradise for 9 days!
Downtown Kona on Ali'i Drive
The beauty of Kona has not changed, but how we enjoy that beauty has changed. Covid has altered Kona, perhaps forever. Gone are some of the great restaurants I used to dine-in. Lot’s of empty buildings! The life blood for Kona’s economy not back yet. There were some tourists and locals roaming around, but the volume of people was still very low.
Sam's Hideaway
Tucked away in the far corner, of an almost empty strip mall, sits Sam’s Hideaway bar. It’s on Ali’i drive, but hidden from public view, making it ideal for local residence to occupy this gem of a dive bar!
Everything about it screamed “dive” bar. The locals are quick to invite you to sit down, tell their tall tales to you, and get a good laugh at your disbelief that such a bar exists in the middle of a tourist trap!
Many of the locals themselves are refugees from the “Main Land” of America. Somehow, they settled roots in the Kona life style, far away from the hustle and bustle of their former lives.
Sam’s Hideaway can be found on their Facebook page named: Sam’s Hideaway.
Magic's Grill
Along the south end of Ali’i Drive sits a magical place in paradise! Magic’s Grill is a full bar and restaurant that sits at the corner of a section of beach with amazing ocean views.
The building was built in 1965 and was called Magic Lanai Restaurant and Mermaid Bar. From 1975 to 1985 it became “Dorian’s” a special place for locals to hang out. The owner, Pat Dorian, was Elvis Presley’s stunt double.
I ate the Tots and Pork Belly Shoyu. Both were amazing small bites of food. The tots had a nice cheesy sauce along with sour cream and sprinkles of sugary shoyu flavored dried seaweed. The pork belly was savory, melt in your mouth, combination of tasty fat and pork meat on a bed of rice. The perfect mid-day snack.
The food, the ambiance, and of course, Jameson on the rocks, made for an enjoyable afternoon of sun, beach, and ocean views.
Honoka'a and Waipi'o Valley
Honoka’a and Waipi’o Valley are on the Hilo side of the island. It rains every day on this side of the island…leaving the land green and beautiful all year round. Hilo averages over 100 inches of rain each year.
What I love about visiting family in Honoka’a is that I could be gone 20 years, show up and find the same cousin, sitting in the same chair, strumming the same guitar, in the same spot on the front porch, as if time stood still. And my cousin would look at me and say, in his native pigeon tongue, “Hey bra! How you…been long time bra”? It’s crazy!
There was no need for small talk to break the ice, I knew exactly what he had been doing all these years, because I found him right where I left him 20 years ago!
Life in paradise is slow and methodical. Almost at a pace of unbearable low speed. It drives me nuts. I’m never on the island long enough to change pace from my California addiction of high speed adrenaline.
In fact, it’s easy to spot a California driver on the Hawaiian roadways. Those drivers are the only ones driving like maniacs and getting pulled over by the island po-po. And when you see some of Hawaii’s officers, especially the Samoan officers, they are the size of pickup trucks. Their size alone would intimidate you enough to just take the citation and be on your way without question or injury. 10 days max for me and I have to get off the island, back to the main land, before I die a slow death.
Tex Drive-In
Malasadas are deep fried dough confection. This Portuguese sweet treat was brought to Hawaii by Portuguese laborers who came to work in the sugar plantations long ago.
Tex Drive-in, in Honoka’a, is the only place I buy these incredible tasting fresh made snacks. I like mine with custard. You can also have them jelly filled or plain.
This Tex Drive-in has been in Honoka’a since the late 60’s!
https://www.texdriveinhawaii.com
Litchon Food Truck
My Nephew, Chef RJ Pinzon Pira, became the subject of my Hawaiian food project! A story of a guy who started out as a construction worker, then prep chef to sous chef at a local resort! Now, he owns his own business, as Chef of Litchon Food Truck! His creations are a cross mix of Filipino and Asian fusion. All tasty, all good, and I got a front row seat to sample it all!
Chef Pira was quick with his knife and multi-tasked his kitchen like no other.
Chef Pira gave me a sampler plate of garlic shrimp, lechon kawali, ribs, and fried chicken, all doused in assorted sauces. Each one made to perfection with great taste.
Chef Pira dished out his plates in a fast paced flurry to keep the line of hungry customers moving smoothly.
Deep fried pork belly, called lechon kawali, was tender, tasty, with crispy flavorful fat.
It was all so good! Chef Pira works in one of the world’s most beautiful places. He has a view from his mobile kitchen that changes daily. His tropical life style of being laid back, but quick to whip up his food, makes him one of the best street chefs on the island.
Litchon Food has a Facebook page named: Litchon Food Truck.
Fujihara Convenience Store
I love these small convenience stores! You can find them on any island along the highways. The big island is spread far apart, it’s always a 30 to 45 minute drive to get anywhere. So these small stores, much like a 7-11 store, has select items for the locals. The hot food is what draws me in. Eating a fresh made Spam Musubi out of these stores are the best. I also ate a local island sausage and turned it into a hotdog for myself. I bought some dried tuna poke as well. Dried fish is popular among the locals, but the flavor is intense. It’s an acquired taste. But, for the locals who work all day, the dried fish is durable and can withstand spoiling for long periods of time.
Southern Tip
Along my route to Hilo, I stopped at the most southern tip of the United States. That’s right…that’s what I said! This was the South Kona region and I was standing on the most southern tip of the United States!
There was no fanfare and no crowds to cheer you on when you arrived! Just a lot of warm wind, lots of grass, and repressive humidity to hurry you back into your air conditioned car!
Fissure #8 at Lalani Estates
Lalani Estates was once a beautiful neighborhood in the Puna District of the Big Island. The photo you see of this mountain in the background, was spewing lava in May 2018.
In front of the mountain was once lush green plants and trees mixed with luxury homes. Lava still flows underground, making it very dicey to be walking through this area. Steam and volcanic gas, still raising from the ground and on the side of the mountain. The dirt was hot to the touch. My Cousin lives in this area. She was lucky…her home survived. This area was off limits to the public, but because my cousin lived here, I was able to tour the area.
Kaleo's
The one restaurant I enjoyed the most was found in the Puna District. Located in Pahoa. They served prime rib as a special on Fridays and Saturdays. Mine, medium rare, with a side of mashed potato and veggies. I soaked each bite size morsel in Au Jus and creamy horseradish…it was bliss!
Island Cookies
Just outside of Honoka’a is Donna’s Cookies Company. These cookies are crispy and tasty. It’s almost a tea time kind of cookie. I think their shortbread cookie was the best. It’s buttery with that shortbread flavor.
Pau Hana Poke, Kona
Poke bowls are a dime a dozen on the islands. This one had fresh tuna, ocean seaweed, Hawaiian dried ogo seaweed, and rice with dried sweet teriyaki seaweed flakes and sesame seeds. It’s a great “on the run” snack as I made my way through the island.
Pau Hana Poke can be found on Yelp!
Airport Food
While waiting at the Kona airport to head home to California, I couldn’t resist the urge to eat an island favorite here. The Loco Moco! Made fresh and delivered to your table, this burger patty, overeasy gooey egg, brown gravy, and rice, hit the spot for my long travel day home.
Hapuna Beach
On my last night I went to Hapuna Beach, far north from Kona, to get one last sunset in before leaving the island. The sunset had the classic Hawaiian look: Beach, ocean, palm trees, and a beautiful yellow sun setting over the horizon. It was peaceful, quiet, and calm…My time on the island was a good one. Part of me will miss this tranquil moment of my life but, my soul fully recharged and ready to face the realities of life again in California.
Visited family: check! Attended family wedding: check! Explored the entire island: check! Completed a story on my Nephew’s food truck for KSCO radio: check! Ate good food and drank good whiskey: check! Bought island gifts for friends back home: check!
So long Hawaii…Aloha! Until next time on Foodie Booze Explorer…
Thanks for sharing. Sounds like you had a great trip.
Thanks Kevin! It was good times!
That was awesome.
Thank you Dave!
Hi Paul, sounds like the prep and jumping the hoops was a pain, but sounds like you, and looks like you had a good time eating and drinking.. Chris and I are in Maui for three weeks in October. Thanks for the info.🍻
Thank you Don!