There's nothing I love more than road tripping around a beautiful island - with stunning views of the land + water and all the delicious food stops along the drive, it's the best way to get up close and local. On Hawaii Island, we got to cover the top 180 of the island going north-west from Hilo to Kona.
Here were some of my favorite stops:
MAP OF THE PITSTOPS - CLICK HERE FOR MORE
KOREAN BARBECUE TOFFEE FROM BIG ISLAND CANDIES FTW
AKAKA FALLS JUNGLE VIBES
DREAMY TREES FILL AKAKA FALLS
JUST BEFORE THE QUICK RAINFALL
BACK TO SUNSHINE @ TEX DRIVE-IN IN HONOKAA
PIPPIN' HOT MALASADAS FROM TEX DRIVE-IN
HAWI STREET ART
SUSHI ROCK IN THE CUTEST VILLAGE, HAWI
Sushi Rock in Hawi has the most unique sushi rolls I've ever had. Go there.
CAPT'N CRUNCH ROLL - spicy tuna tartare, macadamia nuts, daikon, seared ahi, and panko crisps
MING DYNASTY ROLL - sesame roasted fish, avocado, peanuts, cilantro, sashimi, and Szechuan sauce
BOMBAY SUNSET ROLL - ahi poke, curry slaw, and Fuji apple wrapped with sashimi of the day
THANKS TO MIMI SLAWOFF FOR THE "PIC OR IT DIDN'T HAPPEN" CAPTURE
In Hawi, we joined up with Flumin Kohala to kayak through the famed Kohala Ditch, which takes us from the lush forests of the Kohala Mountains to the lowland sugar cane fields near Hawi. Before the kayaking, we were taken on a scenic ride through massive guava fields and a stop at the breathtaking Pololu Valley Lookout.
S/O TO KEEN! LOVE THESE O2 UNEEKS FOR SAFE FLUMING
BIG ISLAND SHAVE ICE IN KAWAIHAE BEFORE THE MAD RUSH
I ENDED UP GOING FOR THE TRINI-CHANTILLY SPECIAL. SO GOOD.
HALOHALO SHAVE ICE - fruit jellies, sweet potato, cantaloupe, boba, azuki beans, ube ice cream, whipped and condensed cream
IN MY HAPPY PLACE
HAPUNA WHITE SANDS BEACH
KTA SUPER STORES !
I'm a sucker for wanting to bring home all the local snacks made of ingredients special to the area, so I always try to hit the local grocery store (waaaaay more affordable than buying from gift shops). Right by our fantastic hotel at the Sheraton Kona Resort is the amazing KTA Super Stores where I got to fill up my suitcase with all the Big Island made honeys, jams, cookies and mac nuts.
FOR MORE ON HAWAII: