We really enjoyed the fruit tasting. This exceeded all expectations. I think we probably tasted at…read moreleast 20 fruit - apple banana, ice cream banana, 3 different kinds of sapote, local mango and coconut, and lots of other incredible fruits of which I forgot the names! The staff was really expert and fun. The entire event was very well organized and delicious. Of the 20 fruit we tasted I've only ever tried two or three of them in my life so it was really wonderful and unique. I highly recommend this activity. Most of the fruit are sweet and tropically yummy. There were a few "interesting" items just for fun including cacao seeds and durian. The staff tells you what to do and then you have fun with your knife and cutting board (they help if you ask but doing it myself was very exciting). The surroundings are gorgeous and lush with all sorts of things growing even in the parking lot.

Decided to do the ATV tour with Aloha adventure Farms. Booking was very easy online and I love that…read morethey stayed in communication with me leading up to my tour date. Day of the tour we were welcomed by and all female crew and they were awesome (girls rock!). Started off with equipment, a safety talk, mini test drive to ensure we can handle things ok. During the 2h tour we got to experience mixed terrain, stop along the way to learn fm our guide who was excellent (drawing a blank on her name). Small group tour made it special and easy to stay involved with the pack.

This amazing group of gals in the Marriott King Kamehameha hotel offers hula and lei making,…read moreukelele, language immersion, and all manner of cool legit Hawaiian cultural activities, some of which are free or discounted to hotel guests. I took both hula and lei craft and had a blast on both counts! the gals who run the place are fantastic and they have some neat things

From the owner: Visit the Aloaliʻi Cultural Resource Center and Marketplace to immerse yourself in a variety of…read moreHawaiian cultural activities while shopping locally. We promote the rich culture and traditions of Hawaiʻi for both locals and visitors alike. Participate in a free historical tour and learn more about the Kamehameha Dynasty as you visit Kamehameha the Greatʻs final home... Take a complimentary hula lesson before you attend the lūʻau... Learn how to make a fresh lei for someone special.... Participate in cultural games or Hawaiian language classes.

I have to admit we were one of the unlucky ones to be blessed by the Hawaiian rain, but the event…read moreteam did an amazing job keeping everyone in high spirits! They handed out rain ponchos right away and generously offered refunds for anyone who preferred not to stay. Despite the weather, the food was delicious and the entertainment was wonderful. We had a great time and will definitely be back--though next time, with a little more sunshine, please!

My first luau and I did not know what to expect. My expectations were not high, due to the mix…read morereviews, but I had an amazing time! The food was good with plenty options, drinks were plenty, and the entertainment was wonderful. It was a beautiful experience to be exposed to a version of Polynesian cultural celebration. I appreciated every moment and the work of the dancers and musicians. I highly recommend and suggest to attend with an open heart and open mind.

This theatre was built in 1936, what a landmark it is on Big Island. Very nostalgic inside out…read more I came here to watch a musical with my friends and we all enjoyed the show. Amazing casts and they offer really good shows. Check out their schedule and find out what is showing, and make sure to check it out if you're on the island!

Amazing performance done by The Lava Dolls and The Pod Kona presenting a magical and seductive…read moretheme of Alice in Wonderland. Very magical and talented group of humans. Cozy historical venue with plenty of seating for the event. Restrooms and beverages available.

First, if you are staying at the Outrigger, make sure you sign up and get the discount! Some…read morereviews had me worried about them running out of food, etc. but that was not an issue. I thought it started at 5, but the doors actually didn't open til 5:30 so we were waiting around for a bit. The welcome drinks were nice, as were the activities, though there were only three: bracelet making, stamp art, and a game like bowling (we didn't do it so I don't know the name). There wasn't actually a ton of time before the program started so this worked. The drinks tasted good but were very watered down. I had about 4 and didn't feel much of a buzz. They had us line up and get food and there was plenty. The poke was disturbingly fishy tasting (not good), but I liked the POG butter and rolls, mac salad, beef, pork (a bit too salty) and chicken. The fish was ok. It would have been nice if they had a few more options for fruit. The desserts were actually really good, I thought. I loved the fluffiness of the chantilly cake, and the pineapple upside down cake was also good. The passion fruit muffins tasted good and had a dense texture that grew on me, but when I got my own it had lots of hard lumps in it and I was a bit put off. The show was nice with a band and explanations about local culture and legends and a little history. I like how they moved through time with it and covered different regions like you were on a tour. I honestly got a little bored at the act before the fire dance and my kid almost wanted to leave, but then it was the fire dance and we were good and that was the last part. The timing was just right in my opinion. Overall, a touristy thing to do for sure. The price is on par with other places in the area and since we were staying at the hotel this was a no brainer. I'm glad we went for my own curiosity and for my kid to experience it, though my husband was bored. It was a good experience and well orchestrated.

This is held at the Outrigger in Kona every Monday and Thursday. There are two types of seating:…read morepreferred and general. Preferred is more expensive than general but your party will be seated closer to the front without other people sharing your table. Your party will also be called earlier for the buffet. Check in started at 4:30pm and gate opened at 5pm. A welcome drink (choice were mai tai and a non-alcoholic drink) is available for everyone. The mai tai was good. At our table, we had smoked pork, smoked salted macadamia nuts, and banana bread waiting for us. The wooden serving plate designed and shaped like a pineapple where these were served was cute and covered with plastic wrap. I suggest that once you know your assigned table, you proceed to the side and try some activities to avoid a line or the number of people who would like to try them later as well. These activities were fun and guided by staff. They included orchid lei bracelet making, traditional Hawaiian printing, and traditional games. Traditional artist/crafts were available at the back. Open bar was also located at the back. There were a lot of cats in the field. I would not leave the table that long if you have food that is exposed and unattended. The cats would roam around and some would climb on the table to get appetizers/food. Dinner was buffet style with different dishes: salads, taro rolls, (and different butters), kalua pork, fresh catch of the day (this grilled fish was soo good), chicken, among many others. I liked the desserts which included Kona coffee chocolate cake, pineapple upside-down cake and another one. We enjoyed dinner while listening to the live music/singing from the musicians. The program was good. Comparing this to a different luau in Oahu, even though there were fewer performances and fewer performers in this luau, the performers were very good and very graceful. They had great stage presence. There was a part when a few guests were invited to the stage for a hula dance. The fire dance by the chief was awesome. Very impressive. The photo opportunity at the end of the show was different. The performers remained on the stage and did not go down to be closer to the audience, unlike the other luau I went to where the performers warmly interacted with the audience. Had a great time here. Weather was lovely - no rain and the temperature was just right from that afternoon until the show finished at about 7:30pm. All in all, though the performances, activities, and interaction with the performers were less compared to another luau, the food and performances were great. Would give this a 5/5.

Absolutely a must visit to see, feel and understand Hawaiian history…read more It was sad that the volunteers were not even faintly familiar with anything. Names, events and even basic royal history questions were not answered...only empty smiles with oh- there is so much history here...sadly they didn't know hardly any of it. I even asked about the hula group that teaches there, again no idea. They need to train the volunteers to actually know something about the place where they are volunteering.

Hulihe'e Palace is a beautiful piece of Hawaii history museum that sits in downtown Kailua-Kona…read more This palace was built in 1838 for Hawaiian royalty stayed here, in 1973 it was place on the national register of historic places, it was originally built out of lava rocks, the lava rocks fance today still secure the palace. The museum has lot's of priceless artifacts like furiture photos quilts and other cultural Items. I was sad because it was close on the day we dock there, a good reason to come back to Kona.

Such a once and a life time experience!! My family and I were in such pure amazement. The story…read morethat was told by the dance was so heart felt to where it made me cry but they were happy tears. I hope my family and I can attend another one.

Don't waste your time or money on this Luau. I was looking forward to an authentic Hawaiian Luau…read more This was a restaurant in a strip mall with a luau on the back patio. The stage was a platform with a pop up tent type cover with a view of the dumpster behind the fence and the recycling center beyond that. The food was awful, small portion, cold and not very flavorful. We had a cheesy picture taken upon arrival in front of a backdrop that was a fishing charter. The outcome didn't even crop out the building. Truly as waste of $300.00+. I felt I was taken for a fool/stupid tourist.

I didn't get to see this facility. The hours are highly limited (M, T, Th) from 10-2. I'm a…read morehistorical buff and my trip was short (F-Su). Really wish I could have seen it.

The smell of coffee and the Portuguese breads, need I say more…read more Every Thursday at 1 pm, bread is available to buy. The sweet bread sells quickly. I've tried both and they were delicious. But I do prefer the sweet bread. Freshly baked, soft and yummy. My husband and I have yet to bake the bread. One day....

Such a cute lil gem!…read more I stopped by last Saturday morning to pick up some things. Found street parking. The workers there were so friendly and willing to help if needed. They have so many cute lil beads and crafty things that it's definitely worth checking out. If you're not into doing the crafting yourself, they also sell pre-made jewelry available to purchase. Pricing is definitely reasonable.

Popped in for more beads and found a lot of ready made items great for gifts. So not only can you…read moremake your own gifts but there are lots of gifts you can buy if you're looking for souvenirs and events. I found great beaded phone bags my daughter and I fell in love with at fantastic prices! They are gorgeous!