I met some incredible women in Hawaii who, to put it simply, get shit done, all the while being generously kind and absolutely inspiring. In Kona, where there is so much history to learn, things to discover, and outdoor activities to partake in, there was no shortage of said badass ladies. As action filled as Kona was, it was the women of the trip who really touched my heart and left me with the warmest sense of ohana (I told you, Hawaii has turned me into a total sap!).
Here's what went down in Kona:
SUNSET DINNER VIEWS OF KEAUHOU FROM RAYS ON THE BAY
WILD BOAR-THEMED DINNER AT RAYS ON THE BAY
FROMAGE DE TETE AMOUSE BOUCHE
WILD BOAR CHORIZO AND OLIVE WALNUT CROUTON WITH HOUSE MUSTARD AND GREEN MANGO JAM
SLOW-BRAISED WILD BOAR RAGOUT WITH HAND-CUT PAPPARDELLE AND CITRUS GERMOLATA
CRACK YOUR OWN MACADAMIA NUTS AT THE ENTRANCE OF KONA COFFEE LIVING HISTORY FARM
CHARLIE THE RESIDENT DONKEY AT KONA COFFEE LIVING HISTORY FARM
COFFEE BERRIES STARTING TO RIPPEN
COFFEE BERRIES ARE ALL HAND-PICKED IN KONA, NO MACHINERY
IT TAKES ABOUT 6-7 MONTHS FOR BERRIES TO RIPPEN
BACK IN THE DAY, COFFEE BERRIES WERE DRIED INTO BEANS ON THE ROOFTOP BY THE SUN
MS. PAULINE CAPTURING HEARTS EVERYWHERE AT THE UCHIDA FARMHOUSE
INSIDE THE UCHIDA FARMHOUSE
INSIDE THE UCHIDA FARMHOUSE
SUN-DRENCHED
FARMLIFE
LUNCH AT MANAGO HOTEL
MANAGO IS THE OLDEST RESTAURANT IN HAWAII
BUTTERY BLACK-EYED PEAS, CORN/EDAMAME/CARROT, AND CREAMY POTATO SALAD
MANAGO IS HOME TO THE FAMOUS PORK CHOPS
...BUT MY FAVORITE WAS THE MISO BUTTERFISH
SUNSET SAIL AND SNORKEL
SNORKEL READY (NOT SURE WHO SHOULD BE MORE AFRAID, THE MANTA RAYS OR ME, SINCE I CAN'T SWIM...)
THE SUNSET DINNER VIEWS NEVER GET OLD
TRACEY APOLIONA FROM FEEDING LEAF AND THE BEST FLAKY/BUTTERY/SWEET BUNS FOR THE AMAAAZING KEAHOLE LOBSTER ROLLS
FEEDING LEAF'S GINGERED CHICKEN IN WON TON LETTUCE CUPS
HISTORIC KAILUA VILLAGE
HAVE A MAI TAI, FEEL THE KAILUA BAY BREEZE, AND LISTEN TO SOME LIVE MUSIC AT HUGGO'S ON THE ROCKS
MOKUAIKAUA CHURCH
BAY VIEWS FROM HULIHEE'S PALACE
SHOPPING ALONG KAILUA VILLAGE
LUNCH AT BROKE DA MOUTH GRINDZ
YES
GARLIC FURIKAKE FRIED CHICKEN, TWO SCOOPS OF WHITE RICE AND MAC SALAD
LOCO MOCO - UNDER THAT GRAVY IS A BURGER PATTY, TOPPED WITH A SUNNYSIDE EGG AND OF COURSE, MORE OF MY FAVE, MAC SALAD
I THINK WE CAN ALL AGREE, THE BEST EATS ARE IN NON-DESCRIPT STRIP MALLS
AUNTY TUTU'S SPECIAL/COMPLIMENTARY LEI MAKING AND UKULELE LESSONS AT SHERATON KONA
I MADE THIS. MAHALO, AUNTY TUTU <3
NOT ENOUGH TIME TO JUMP IN, BUT JUST ENOUGH TO TAKE A SNAP OF THE GORGEOUS HOOLA SPA HOT TUB
INSTEAD, I TOOK A RARE 30MIN BREAK TO TAKE IN THE ONLY SALT ROOM ON THE ISLAND, WHICH DETOXIFIES AND CLEANSES YOUR LUNGS
ONE LAST LOOK AT MY SIG ZANE DESIGNED ROOM AT SHERATON KONA
...AND THE VIEW OF KEAUHOU BAY FROM MY BALCONY
SPECIAL MAHALO TO CATHERINE (ABOVE) AND ERIN FOR MAKING THIS SUCH A MEMORABLE TRIP
GEEZ, EVEN THE AIRPORT IS ALL CUTE. ALOHA AND MAHALO!