The Big Island of Hawaii is an amazingly beautiful place and holds many fond memories for Marla and I. We loved trips to Hawaii when we could get our whole clan together at the same time. In 2016 we rented a large house and had 17 people over for dinner most evenings. Even my Mom flew over by her self at the age of 96 years old. Our trip last month was a way to reconnect to the past and to build new memories.This year we began our Big Island holiday with dinner and cocktails at “Don the Beachcomber at the Royal Kailua Resort.” Of course, Mai Tais are a must! We rented a condominium on Alii Drive south of Kailua Kona, something we used to do when our girls were little. We usually rent farther up the Kona coast so this was a fun change of pace. Looking across the bay we remembered a trip when both our girls swam the 2.4 mile “Ironman” swim course.

“Ah….Kona coffee!”

Marla always insist we have a great ocean view! Many days we would just sit and stare at the beautiful sea and listen to the pounding surf.

Beachcombing could be my new full-time gig!

As it was Saturday we went up to Waimea for two farmer’s markets. Marla and my brother, Gary who has lived on the Big Island for over 40 years, loved both the Kamuela Farmer’s Market at Pukalani at Parker Ranch and the Waimea Town Market. We picked up a bag of Rambutan, some fresh loaves of cinnamon raisin bread, and some fabulous Guava jam. So many delicious local treats!

Marla and Gary check out all the flowers for sale. I wanted to bring this orchid home!

We celebrated an early birthday for Gary at “Mi’s Waterfront Bistro” one of my favorite places in Kailua Kona. We booked an early table in order to catch the sunset at 6:30 PM.

Their “Marinated Beet and Green Bean Salad” was totally wonderful. It included local greens, Point Reyes Blue cheese, candied macadamia nuts and a beet-balsamic vinaigrette. Oh my!

The patina of the beach parks’ corrugated roof was beautiful.

“Kahalu’u Beach Park is one of the best snorkeling beaches in the Kona area. We taught our girls to snorkel at this beach park years ago.The variety of fish is always incredible! Volunteers explained that much of the sand had been sucked out to sea making access more difficult. 

If you want the very freshest fish the best place to go is the “Da Fish House.” It is only a a block from the Kawaihae Harbor. Their poke, Ono, Opakapaka, and Mahi Mahi, are so good!

Gary and my nephew Kekoa took us to one of their favorite beaches, “Waialea Beach, Beach 69.”  The winds were picking up so the sea was rough and many visitors had already left.

I was fascinated with the twisted and bleached Kiawe tree which is related to the Mesquite tree.

Marla checks out the waves! Neil Young once owned the property on the upper left.

Spending time with my nephew Kekoa is always a joy! He is an amazing chef and makes a killer Mai Tai!

On our last day we all helped to make a fabulous breakfast. It was so much fun to go over old family stories and create new memories as well. I cherish these moments!

Marla savors a Kona sunset before leaving for our late evening flight home. This Hawaii trip couldn’t have been better!