Hawaii Island】Hawaii Island's BEST 10 recommended sweets

Hawaii Island, nicknamed the Big Island

Hawaii may be most commonly associated with the island of Oahu, where Honolulu is located, but if you want to experience the local culture and tropical atmosphere, visit the Big Island of Hawaii!

The island of Hawaii, nicknamed the Big Island, has a completely different climate depending on the location on the same island.

Different climates create different landscapes, allowing visitors to experience the diversity of nature.

 

What is the Big Island of Hawaii like?

Arriving at Kona International Airport, the gateway to the Big Island of Hawaii, you will be surprised to find an open-air airport with no walls.

This open atmosphere is the island of Hawaii itself.

The island is full of tropical charm that will make you want to wear an aloha shirt, the local formal attire.

 

How to get to Hawaii Island

There are direct flights to the Big Island of Hawaii, but the most common method is via Daniel K. Inouye International Airport on Oahu.

Since the distance from Oahu to the Big Island of Hawaii is over 300 km, the only mode of transportation is by air. There are two airports on Hawaii Island.

The Kona International Airport (Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport) is located on the west side of the island, and the Hilo Airport is located on the east side of the island. You can choose the airport according to your hotel and sightseeing schedule.

 

Attractions of the Big Island of Hawaii

The island of Hawaii has many places where nature has been left untouched, and is recommended for those who just want to relax and spend time rather than sightseeing and shopping.

If you are worried about any problems on a remote island, you can use a well-equipped resort facility for peace of mind.

You can sign up for optional barbecues and activities, so there is never a dull moment!

 

Spectacular, untouched wilderness

If you want to enjoy the unspoiled wilderness, the Big Island of Hawaii is definitely the place to go.

Hawaii Island is the largest of the Hawaiian Islands, and its nature is also very powerful!

If you are in the mountains, go off-roading in an ATV. You will experience the thrill and exhilaration of an attraction.

 

A powerful volcano

There are five volcanoes on the Big Island of Hawaii, including Kilauea Volcano, which is designated as a national park.

The lava tours offered at Kilauea Volcano are a rare opportunity to see the dynamic workings of nature with your own eyes.

If the conditions are right, please join us.

 

Beautiful Beaches

The island of Hawaii, with its abundance of lava, has many black sand beaches, called black sand beaches.

On the black sand beach, which is rare in the world, you can even see the famous green turtles drying their shells.

You can also swim in the ocean, but be aware that some beaches do not have toilets or showers.

 

Shopping and dining are also recommended.

The Big Island of Hawaii also has shopping centers with a variety of stores, gourmet restaurants, and movie theaters.

If you like coffee, why not try Hawaii's specialty, Kona coffee, for an authentic taste?

 

Let's learn about culture and history.

Hawaii Island, the birthplace of King Kamehameha the Great, is a place where Hawaiian history remains strong. Activities to preserve Hawaiian culture are also active, and visitors can learn about Hawaiian history and culture by touring archaeological sites and attending Polynesian shows.

Although Hawaii is a tropical state with a strong image of generosity, the minimum drinking age is 21 years old, and drinking alcohol outdoors is prohibited. There are also strict restrictions on where cigarettes can be smoked.

 

Enjoy sweets on the Big Island of Hawaii!

Many people may have a negative image of foreign sweets, such as too much sweetness or too much quantity.

In recent years, there has been a growing awareness of food in other countries, and interest in cooking with gluten-free and organic ingredients is increasing.

Of course, there are also sweets that are considered B-grade gourmet, so please try to find the one you like.

 

Hawaii Island's BEST 10 recommended sweets

With the variety of sweets available on the Big Island of Hawaii, many people may be at a loss as to what to eat.

So, here are the BEST 10 recommended sweets on the Big Island of Hawaii.

There are also sweets that survive the hot weather and are made with organic ingredients, so please refer to them for your trip to the Big Island of Hawaii.

 

No. 10: Hiro Homemade Ice Cream

Ice cream is said to be the top dessert consumed in the United States.

On the Big Island of Hawaii in the 1970s, ice cream was a product of the mainland United States.

Hilo Homemade Ice Cream was started to make homemade ice cream on the Big Island of Hawaii.

There is also a store in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, which is a goodwill store.

 

Recommendations

All of our ice cream is handmade with ingredients native to Hawaii.

In summer, shave ice (shaved ice) is also available.

More than 20 flavors are available, with tropical flavors of passion fruit and dragon fruit being the most popular.

 

Business hours and popular menus

Hours of operation are 11:00-18:00. Popular menu items include macadamian nut and lilikoi (passion fruit) flavors.

 

Access & Parking

It is 10 minutes from Hilo International Airport by rental car or cab. Parking is available near the restaurant.

 

No. 9: Hawaiian Crown Plantation & Chocolate Factory

No. 9 is the Hawaiian Crown Plantation & Chocolate Factory, a plantation and chocolate factory where cacao is grown.

The cacao plantation offers tours of the plantation.

More than 1,000 cacao trees are planted, and visitors can observe the process of turning them into chocolate.

Of course, you can also eat organic chocolate, and we recommend this tour.

Sweets made with organic chocolate are also available at the attached store.

 

Recommendations

In the plantation, cacao trees and tropical fruit trees can be observed.

After learning about the harvesting, fermentation, and drying of cacao, visitors can move to a chocolate factory to enjoy the chocolate-making process.

If you join the tour, you can buy chocolates at a discount, which makes them good souvenirs.

 

Business hours and popular menus

Hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Monday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

It is closed on Sundays. A popular menu item is the chocolate banana covered with organic chocolate.

 

Access & Parking

It is 10 minutes from Hilo International Airport by rental car or cab. Parking is available at the farm.

 

No. 8: Makani's Magic Pineapple Shack

Enjoy cool smoothies and fruit juices at Makani's Magic Pineapple Shack.

Located in the city of Hilo, this store offers colorful sweets that look great on social media.

Ingredients are fresh fruits and vegetables from the Big Island of Hawaii, so you can enjoy healthy sweets.

 

Recommendations

This trendy juice bar with a tiki bar atmosphere is popular for its colorful smoothies.

The menu includes more than 10 smoothies and about seven parfait-like acai bowls.

One of the owners, Lokelani, is also a chef specializing in raw food, so you can enjoy delicious sweets that are health-conscious.

 

Business hours and popular menus

Hours are 11:30 am to 5:30 pm Monday through Friday and 10:30 am to 4:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday. A popular menu item is a smoothie made with dragon fruit.

 

Access & Parking

It is 10 minutes from Hilo International Airport by rental car or cab. Parking is available at the restaurant.

 

No. 7: Punaluu Bake Shop

Punaluu Bake Shop is a long-established bakery that has been in business for more than 50 years, since 1970.

It is also a well-known bakery stop on tours.

The restaurant is filled with the aroma of freshly baked bread and a wide variety of malasadas and sandwiches.

There are tables and chairs on the terrace for your relaxation.

 

Recommendations

The freshly baked bread and malasadas are excellent.

There are so many varieties of sweet breads that you may end up buying too many, so it is a good idea to buy some for a snack or evening meal.

 

Business hours and popular menus

Hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The most popular menu item is sweetbreads.

 

Access & Parking

It is 1 hour and 30 minutes from Hilo International Airport. There is a parking lot for buses and large vehicles.

 

No. 6: Ken's House of Pancakes

Opened in 1971, this long-established restaurant is frequented by many locals.

The spacious restaurant is always crowded with families and tourists, and the walls of the restaurant are decorated with photos and autographs of celebrities, which you can enjoy while waiting for your meal.

The restaurant also offers a large-size menu called "smoo size," which will help you feel the connection between Hawaii and Japan.

 

Recommendations

Ken's House of Pancakes is a family-style restaurant on the Big Island of Hawaii.

With more than 100 menu items, you may be at a loss to choose.

If you are in doubt, we recommend the orthodox pancakes and waffles from the signature menu.

 

Business hours and popular menus

The restaurant is open 24 hours a day, but it is best to check the website in advance. Popular menu items include pancakes with coconut or passion fruit sauce.

 

Access & Parking

We are 5 minutes from Hilo International Airport. Large parking lot is available at the store.

 

No. 5: Gypsy Gelato

Gypsy Gelato, which offers popular gelato, has two locations on the Big Island of Hawaii.

It is in Coconut Grove Market Place and along Ali'i Drive.

Here is information about the Coconut Grove Market Place store.

The elegantly sweet gelato is popular, and you can choose from kids' to extra-large sizes.

 

Recommendations

Taro gelato and 100 percent Kona coffee gelato are hard to find in Japan, so it is a good idea to try gelato that you have never had before.

The gelato is not too sweet, so you will finish it in no time.

 

Business hours and popular menus

Business hours are 12:00 - 21:00. Popular menu items include gelato made with ingredients from the Big Island of Hawaii.

 

Access & Parking

From Kona International Airport, it is a 20 minute car rental or cab ride. Parking is available at the Coconut Grove Market Place.

 

4th: Basic

The popular acai bowls and smoothies can be enjoyed at "Basic".

Opened in 2010, the store offers sweets incorporating the culture and style of the Big Island of Hawaii.

Many of the sweets are designed to be healthy, healthy yet satisfying and beautiful to look at.

 

Recommendations

Sweets named after the Hawaiian Islands and Hawaiian culture are popular at this store.

Acai, with its anti-aging and beauty benefits, is combined with various ingredients from the Big Island of Hawaii to create delicious sweets.

We use plant-based products instead of dairy products to make our sweets, so you can enjoy sweets that are gentle on your body.

 

Business hours and popular menus

Hours of operation are Monday through Saturday 8:00 am to 3:00 pm and Sunday 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.

A popular menu item is an acai bowl named Kilauea.

 

Access & Parking

Kona International Airport is 20 minutes away. Parking is available near the restaurant.

 

No. 3: Tex Drive-In

The drive-in is located in the town of Honokaa, on the Hamakua Coast, once the site of sugar cane fields.

The restaurant has been featured in aircraft magazines and many media outlets, and offers Hawaiian cuisine and handmade sweets.

The view from the drive-in is also good, so many people stop by after a long day of driving.

 

Recommendations

The "malasada," which is mentioned in all Hawaii information magazines, is well known for its delicious taste.

The crispy fried bread is available in plain or cream-filled malasadas.

Many bloggers and celebrities rate the malasadas here as the best on the Big Island of Hawaii, and the low prices make them easy to buy.

Inside the store, visitors can watch the making of malasadas through a glass window, and many people watch while waiting for their freshly fried malasadas.

Hawaiian cuisine is abundant, and you may want to try the malasada for dessert.

 

Business hours and popular menus

Business hours are from 6:00 to 18:00. Popular menu items are freshly fried malasadas.

 

Access & Parking

Hilo International Airport is 60 minutes away by rental car or cab. Drive-in parking is available.

 

No. 2: Scandinavian Shave Ice

Scandinavian Shave Ice is a store on the Big Island of Hawaii where you can enjoy colorful and unique shave ice (shaved ice).

It is located near tourist attractions such as the Kailua Pier and Hulihee Palace, and is marked by a panel in front of the store showing a shave ice face.

It is a popular place to enjoy delicious shave ice at a reasonable price, and is well-liked by locals.

You can choose three of the 65 flavors to have your favorite shave ice made.

 

Recommendations

The colorful flavors of this sweet treat are both pleasing to the eye and to the palate. There are also shave ice with ice cream or frozen yogurt, and if you pour condensed milk or coconut cream over it, you can enjoy a gorgeous shave ice that looks like a parfait.

You will enjoy fluffy shave ice because it is snow-like ice, not crunchy ice.

 

Business hours and popular menus

Hours of operation are Monday through Saturday 11:00-21:00 and Sunday 11:00-20:00.

Popular menu items include shave ice with ice cream or frozen yogurt.

 

Access & Parking

It is 15 minutes from Kona International Airport. Parking is available behind the restaurant.

 

No. 1: Big Island Candies

A classic souvenir from Hawaii is cookies and other baked goods from Big Island Candies.

Visitors can watch through a glass window as the crispy shortbread, chocolate-covered cookies are produced.

Since some products can only be found on the Big Island of Hawaii, this is a place where many tourists come to buy limited-edition souvenirs.

 

Recommendations

The main store in Hilo offers an experience that will make you feel as if you are lost in a fantasy world.

The restaurant is particular about its decorations, which change seasonally.

Many kinds of mini gifts containing several cookies are available, and the cute packaging makes them a great souvenir.

 

Business hours and popular menus

Hours of operation are Monday through Saturday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and Sunday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

The signature shortbread, covered in chocolate, is popular.

 

Access & Parking

Located 5 minutes from Hilo International Airport. Parking is available at the store.

 

After enjoying the sweets
Enjoy the activity experience!

After eating sweets, try an activity experience.

The Big Island of Hawaii offers a wide variety of activities. Each activity is a physically enjoyable experience that will have you burning off the calories from your sweets in no time.

 

Three recommended tours

Finally, we would like to recommend three tours.

Please check out these attractive tours!

 

Waipio Valley Horseback Riding Tour

Enjoy the spectacular Waipio Valley horseback riding tour with a guide who speaks excellent Japanese.

Before the horseback ride, we will stop at a drive-in where you can enjoy delicious malasadas, which may be substituted for breakfast.

Even for those who have never ridden a horse before, they will be given a detailed lecture so that they can enjoy themselves with peace of mind.

 

Wild Dolphins & Kealakekua Bay
Snorkeling Tour

This is a snorkeling tour where you can swim with wild dolphins with safety in mind.

Wetsuits and underwater masks can be rented for free, so those who need them should apply in advance.

Kealakekua Bay is one of the clearest places on the Big Island of Hawaii, making it a great place for snorkeling enthusiasts.

This tour offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy colorful tropical fish and coral reefs.

 

Mauna Kea
Sunset & Stargazing Tour

This tour offers a spectacular sunset view of the Big Island of Hawaii, followed by stargazing at the foot of Mauna Kea.

At the base of Mauna Kea, stargazing will take place at an altitude of about 2,000 meters, so those worried about altitude sickness will be able to enjoy themselves without worry.

Popular star guides provide fun and easy-to-understand explanations using the latest telescopes and binoculars.

This is a tour that even small children can enjoy, and many repeat visitors come back.

 

summary

How was it? We introduced the sweets of the Big Island of Hawaii.

Please refer to the sweets introduced here for your travel plans.

When traveling abroad, you will want to try the local delicacies, so try a variety of gourmet foods on the Big Island of Hawaii.