Friday, August 9

We packed up the remainder of our stuff, emptied the refrigerator and were out the door by 11am. The owners were coming ‘in’ and we had to be out by then. The cleaning crew had their materials outside ready to go.

Lunch was at the Beach Club at the 4 Seasons. The mahi fish tacos were amazing and the salad was too. The macnut dots popsicles were the best part!

We arrived at the airport about 1:30 and sailed right through baggage and security. Flight 337 was on time and we await Flight 84 direct to SLC. It will continue to be a long day and night!

Thursday, August 8

A nice relaxing day, breakfast from the Island Market. Did a little light packing and washing clothes too.

We did a little shopping in the Kings Marketplace and signed up for Hilton Grand Vacations timeshare presentation for funnsies. Ouch, for what we were looking for, Ocean Front, Penthouse Suite on floors 6 and 7, the cost is $289,000 for a one week exchange! It was fun to string the guy along, but not even reasonable!

Dinner at Merriman’s!

Wednesday, August 7

On the hunt for Kuhlolo, a Phillipine delicacy that Douglas wanted to find and bring home for a friend. Per yesterday’s search, he found it down in Kona at the Kona Marketplace behind the Target store. He scored, it was being packaged as we arrived.

From there, we found the Hula Lamp folks, now running the company out of their home above Costco. We found a Mermaid to accompany our hula dancer! She will be a great addition.

We were back for a leisurely afternoon so that Doug and Lauren could pack. Sandy had chicken tacos for their last meal out on the lanai. They left about 6:15 for an 8:45 pm flight.

The condo, unit 14F is very nice, equipped so-so for beach activities. I would come back to one of the 2 bedroom units. The 8 condo stack at Hali’ Kai is organized as follows:

Top floor (left to right): A – left corner outside (2 bdm, on 2nd floor/) F- inside (3bdm, 2/3 floor story) G – inside F mirror and D – right corner A mirror

Bottom floor: E B C H (all 2 bdm) on the bottom floor that have a grass patio. Not so good for viewing the ocean and whales because it is at ground level.

Tuesday, August 6

After burrito breakfast, we headed to Alii Drive and the Ali’i Gardens Marketplace for some shopping. A great place to score cool stuff and Doug and Lauren did load up. After that, we had lunch at Don’s Mai Tai Bar and then hit the remainder of Alii for some more ‘gold’.

Dinner for 4 was at the Hilton Kamuela Provisioning Company, a nice atmosphere for sunset, but so-so food. The Hendricks tonics were not even tonic and watered down. The server even forgot to add the champagne to the bill! As the others went on to the car, I spoke to the manager and told him they were “off”. He was responsible for 3 restaurants on site and was doing a poor job and I let him know that. Sheesh. Great atmosphere, so-so food, be warned!

Monday, August 5

Trekked down to Naalehu for lunch with the neighbors. We left the condo at 8am. It was nice to see Barb and Doug and Jeanne and Dick and Sue. Hana Hou was still the same hot, muggy place, but the ono and ahi burgers were pretty good!

On the way, we had breakfast at Lava Java on Alii Drive and stopped at Kona Joe’s coffee to break up the drive. We forgot how long a trip it is and we showed up at our old house, 94-1432 Hiki Ku right around noon. The neighbor behind our property cleared his lot off and a little of his property to the right (as we look at our house). It opened up the view for Dick and Jeanne and we too should have a little more ‘enhanced’ view. Our 726 lot is still there and still a premium location. The new owner is interested in its purchase, we bought it for about 30k and its about 60-70k in value now.

Headed back for dinner with Doug and Lauren at the Rum Bar at the Queen’s Marketplace. Good eats there too.

Sunday, August 4

Relaxing morning with breakfast. We headed out about noon to try out the Black Sand beach at the Mauna Lani public access location. Nope, all filled up. The guard mentioned that it filled up by 8am this morning, parking is extremely limited.

Ended up at Beach 69 for a nice relaxing afternoon. Dinner was at the Wine Bar adjacent to Island Market. It was reasonably priced and the food and drinks were actually pretty good. A good find!

Saturday, August 3

Packed up the Rosie family for a 9:30 departure to the airport. Their flight left at 12:05 and we were shooting for a 10am delivery time. Everything went well and they were off through TSA Pre. They eventually made it to SAC, on time, but a little SNAFU with the rental car pickup at Hertz.

We exchanged the van for a Kia, saving a few bucks ($1500/week!) to $350 or so. That cost saving cost the dinner we spent last night!

Spent part of the afternoon catching up with on Waikoloa Fairways neighbors Dan and Merrilynn. The more things change on the island, the more things stay the same. It’s amazing how many vacancies there are in the commercial areas. Tommy B is still at the Mauna Lani shopping center, but the Ruth Chris is no longer there. The only high end local restaurant is Roy’s in the King’s Market, that being marginal.

Spent a little time checking out Puako, Beach 69 and Hapuna Beach. Everything is going big time.

We picked up a pizza at the Mauna Lani pizza place, it was a par-bake, it was ok, not spectacular. We also tried 2 individual flatbread pizzas from Island Gourmet. These were take-and-bake. The par-bake was slightly better.

The Ruth Chris is closed and replaced by a Mexican joint. Lots of vacancies all around the island it seems.

Friday, August 2

We headed down to Kona for breakfast at Humpy’s on Alii Drive. Eggs Benedict and Mac Nut pancakes were ok. Cute POG mimosas were also gimicky.

Walked through the Gupton Gallery, it has moved from its location next to Bubba Gumps, which has also closed.

Came back for one last lazy afternoon in the pool. Both Rylan and Aidyn are water babies.

Closing out the festivities, we headed to the Manta and the Mauna Kea. Good eats, mac nut crusted mahi-mahi and fancy Dole whip Mai Tais. Way expensive these days, as is the whole island, actually.

The lookout area at the Manta was wiped out by dumb snorkelers chasing the rays away. Three boats off shore from Puako set up their lights a little more offshore, with I bet better views!

Thursday, August 1

Fish for dinner! Girls headed over to the Mauna Lani for massages while the boys and kids headed over to the Hilton to check out the resort and the Dolphin Quest adventures. We stumbled on some Dole Whip vendor next to the DQ and Rylan had no problem demolishing 2 of them. Good thing it is a dairy-free product, delicious though.

The ladies brought back lunch from the Island Market and the afternoon was nice and lazy around the Ocean pool. Happy hour, again 2-4pm, a great deal! Sandy found 3 pieces of ahi tuna and one of ono for the BBQ.

Doug and Lauren did a great job, I made a salsa with a papaya, pineapple and salt and pepper. I pureed it too much and they brought a chunky relish as well. Good eats.

Wednesday, July 31

Kids headed to Hilo in the van to check out the rainbow waterfalls and in search of fish for dinner.

We headed to Kawaihae harrbor in the Kia for Kohala fish tacos and then to Waimea/Kamuela’s Foodland for a few more groceries and lilikoi martini ingredients. We stumbled on the Waimea mid-week farmer’s market and a lead for Lauren on a chocolate farm on the east side. White pineapples ad 4.50 – 5.00 per pound these days, ouch!

Tuesday, July 30

Made the Kona boat rentals trip successfully for our 10am – 3pm block. A quick stop at the Island Market for sandwiches and munchies and the cooler was ready and packed.!

A nice and overcast day for our journey down to Capt Cook’s Bay. It took about 45 minutes, a little rough but worse on the way back.

A nice calm day at the bay, but the clouds really threw off the colors of the fish. We had lunch tied up to each other and trolled on the way back north about 10mph at about 240-260 feet of water for ono or ahi tuna. No luck! I think we all got a little pounded on the journey back to the harbor. $455/boat for 4 hours was pretty fun. Couldn’t coach Rylan into the water though.

Dinner at the Kona Brewing Company afterwards and their strawberry vinaigrette spinach salad with their Captain pizza was still spot on. Their Castaway IPA was a great go-to!

Monday, July 29

Treked out to A-Bay to get the girls in the water. Saw some turtles and had lunch at Lava-Lava Beach Club. The Kona Boat rental guy has everythink we need for tomorrow, from flippers/mask to fishing rods! In the afternoon, we met up with Bruce and Linda Bott. Doug, Lauren, Rylan and Sandy and I had a nice visit with them at the Marriott. There were 10 of them, but they too were whittling down as Jeff headed and partner headed back to Oah.

Sunday, July 28

Headed off to Costco for supplies for the weeks, picked up a 98 quart ice chest and had lunch at the Harbor House. Bite-Me, the restaurant is no more. We checked out the boats for Tuesday’s adventure as well.

We had crappy Costco pizza, Doug and Lauren’s time to cook, for dinner.

Saturday, July 27

Woke about 4:00 am or so. Rosie and family made it to Sacramento. They had an EV, so they had to bring it back charged at 80% or so. Interesting story, we can’t wait to hear.

Putted around, stopped in Waimea at the Farmer’s Market, met Sue Edwards. She is still moving here Dakine Dog Treat, awesome. We made a run to the Foodland up there. A quick dropoff of the groceries and off we went to pick up the clan. They were already through the exit gate when we arrived.

Went to the Ocean Pool in the afternoon, had lunch there and we made ground turkey tacos with fresh salsa and guacamole! Yummy!!

Friday, July 26

Got up at 3:15 am for our shuttle to SLC airport. Left the car in front of the hotel, $10/day, a great deal. We were on the reservation for the shuttle, but when we checked in we weren’t on it, but there were 2 more slots.

Checked in quickly at SLC, Clear doesn’t open until 5am, and we were there about 4:50 with TSA Pre. Quick and easy, even though Sandy was patted down, weird.

The flight was on time, nice in first class, not quite KLM or Lufthansa, but comfortable. Nice it have StarLink on board to continue our questions/answers with Jordan and Kenny.

Arrived in Kona, exchanged vans because of a low front right tire pressure. Made it to Lava Lava Beach Club for a quick Mai Tai and then off to the condo. We are in 14F of the Hali’i Kai, 3 bdm, 3 ba, 2 floors, 2 kings and 1 queen bed configuration.

Checked in right about 3pm and found the cleaning crew still doing their thing until about 4pm. We headed over to the Ocean Pool Resort for another Mai Tai, $8.50 during happy hour and they are better than Lava Lava.

Headed off to Romano’s for a quick bite, then the Island Market for a few essentials. Made it back, unpacked and relaxed a little waiting on Doug and Lauren. They made it in on time, waited 40 minutes for their FIRST CLASS luggage and a wait for their car. All good though. They arrived about 9pm.

Off to bed, Sandy was already asleep with the 4 hour time difference.

Thursday, July 25th

Checked into our Hawaiian HAL83 flight to HNL and then to KOA on 278. With any luck we should be in Kona by 1pm Hawaii time tomorrow. Looking forward to time with Doug and Lauren, Rosie and Tommy AND Rylan and Aidyn!

Hung around in town, went to breakfast at Black Bear Diner, drove out to the Salt Lake and explored the parking and terminal situations at the airport. We decided to leave the car in the park-and-ride at the hotel, its just going to be easier. We drove in the afternoon into downtown to scope out the area and the Cathedral of Madeleine, truly gorgeous and ornate. The Whiskey Street bar and restaurant did not disappoint for a late lunch/ early dinner.

Early rising tomorrow … flight at 7am!