I hope you enjoyed meeting the executive chef of the Fairmont Orchid in this post. In addition to the amazing food and ambiance of the resort, the Fairmont Orchid also provides a great location for exploring the northwestern shore of the Big Island of Hawaii.
Heading north on Highway 19, we arrived at Hapuna Beach, a place to which I would love to return. We didn’t have enough time to swim there, but we did enjoy an afternoon stroll along the beach. I was surprised at how crowded the parking lot was as this is a fairly remote location, but once we got to the beach we could understand why. It’s a lovely swimming beach that is great for families. In the background of the photo, you can see the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel. We didn’t have time to explore it, but the hotel certainly has an amazing view and stunning location, doesn’t it?
We then headed to the end of Highway 19 to the Pololu Valley Lookout–an overlook of one of the most scenic stretches of shoreline I’ve had the pleasure of visiting. It reminded me of some of the striking scenery I’d seen in Newfoundland, Canada, but much more tropical, and with a black sand beach.
The Pololu Valley is part of the Kohala Forest Reserve, and was once a prime agricultural area for growing taro (a root and leaf vegetable also known as kalo) and rice.
It was kind of neat being at what is referred to as both the end and the start of the State Highway!
We then spent some time in the tiny village of Hawi, where we had lunch, shopped, and found a fabulous fudge shop in the Kava Kafe. The passionfruit and chocolate, passionfruit and ginger, macadamia nut and chocolate, and pure dark chocolate fudges were all fantastic, and handmade of local ingredients. I’d forgotten how delicious they were until I started writing this post!
As you can see, I am a huge fan of Hawaii, and my first visit to the Big Island was as satisfying as I’d hoped it would be. There is plenty of great chocolate to be enjoyed, and so much more! Have you explored this part of Hawaii? If so, what impressed or surprised you most?
After reading your post, I must add Hawaii to my list of places to visit.
Right on, Bev. You can never go wrong with Hawaii. Each island has its own distinct personality, so let me know when you decide to go and I’ll help you choose the right one for you.
Just thought I’d let everyone know who is interested in chocolate in Hawaii that we’re doing a group Chocolatour to the Big Island, Maui, and Kauai to celebrate Hawaii Chocolate and Cocoa Month. the trip will be Oct 20-31, 2015. I hope you can join us! Details are at https://chocolatour.net/chocolatour-to-hawaii.
We’ve been to Hawaii, but not the Big Island unfortunately. We really wanted to but choose Maui instead. Definitely not unhappy with the decision as Maui was awesome!
One day we will get back to Hawaii and explore the last few islands that we have missed. The Big Island looks amazing
Hi Michael: Yes, the Big Island is amazing, and I have much of it yet to explore. But I, too, love Maui, and hope to get back there next year as it’s been along while! Thx for dropping by the blog.
I’ve only been to Maui so far, but the biggest surprise for me was spam sushi!
You started with a good one, Rachel. Maui is still my fav Hawaiian island, although I’ve not yet been to Molokai or Lanai, and I still have the other half of the Big Island to explore. It’s all good! But you wouldn’t catch me eating spam sushi anywhere!
We loved our visit to The Big Island a few years ago and the time passed by, like all vacations in beautiful places, much too quickly. And what better way to underline what a terrific place it is than with a taste of fudge and dark chocolate!
Thx for your comment, Anita. So very true. Our time in special places always seems to pass far too quickly. Thx for stopping by.
It’s raining here right now, and your pix provide a hint of that lovely warm breeze. I have a great imagination! 🙂 Passionfruit, ginger, dark chocolate, a pristine beach and some pounding surf. That’s Heavem, right?
You got that right, Ursula! Hawaii is my dream destination. I absolutely LOVE everything about it and would relocate there in a heartbeat if I was free to do so.
I haven’t seen too much of the Big Island, so it’s good to know of your recommended places. Hopefully I get a chance to go back soon! Thanks, Doreen!
Hi Tracie! Yes, indeed, it is a BIG Island, so it definitely would take at least a week to see it all. I hope to go back, too, so that I can get to the other side!
Next time I am on the Big Island I plan to visit tiny Hawi and get some of that fabulous fudge shop in the Kava Kafe! Here are some places I’ve enjoyed on the Big Island, http://travelswithcarole.blogspot.com/search/label/Big%20Island
Thx for your comment, Carole, and for referring me to your post! I will definitely check it out.
I have only been to the Big Island once and we stayed at the Mauna Lani. It was lovely and quiet. I went back and read your post with the chef. Chefs are my rock stars!
Hi Suzanne: I don’t believe we saw the Mauna Lani. Whereabouts is it? Yes, chefs (and chocolatiers!) are generally passionate and highly creative people that are fascinating to speak with. I love hearing about what gives them passion.
What a gorgeous place. How nice to be able to spend time visiting!
I’ve only been to Oahu, but next time I definitely want to visit the Big Island!
Those uncrowded beaches look so appealing!
Hi Irene: Yes, you can definitely find secluded places in Hawaii if that’s what your’e looking for. It truly is one of the most beautiful places on earth.
I’ve never been to Hawaii but it’s definitely on my list! Your post makes it look and sound as tasty as it is beautiful! The Kava Kafe sounds like a must-stop for chocolate lovers.
Indeed, Michele! Hawaii is definitely a place for chocolate lovers, and that fudge shop will appeal to those who love the taste of fresh fudge as the ingredients are all locally sourced. DELISH!
All that fudge just sounds so delicious!
Mmmm, fudge! Can’t wait to get to Hawaii at some stage!
Great photos. Have, for some reason, never been to Hawaii. Would be great to spend the winter there, as Jeannette suggests.
Hi Catarina. If you love peace and serenity, you can definitely find it on the Big Island, and also on Kauai, which has a lot of natural beauty, but in a completely different way. Oahu (Waikiki) is at the opposite end of the spectrum with lots of action and the urban lifestyle. And Maui … is at a wonderful place in the middle, with an emphasis on arts and culture. You really CAN find a bit of everything, and a lot of heaven in the Hawaiian Islands.
Doreen — gorgeous photos. Don’t you wish you could be there this winter and escape the Canadian cold and snow!
Hi Jeannette! Yes, I’m sure hoping to spend some time away this winter, and as I’ve got 1/2 of the Big Island to still explore, it’s definitely a possibility that I shall return there. You’ll see why in the next post! Thx for dropping by, and for your kind comments.
Hawaii is on my bucket list for sure. Especially after reading your posts about it.
Thanks, Cheryl. Keep in mind that each of the Hawaiian Islands has its own distinct personality, just as with the Caribbean islands. No 2 are exactly alike. So be sure you know what you’re looking for before you go, so that you can choose the island that will best suit your needs and desires. 🙂
You have the best job…visiting Hawaii, eating great chocolate and blogging about both! Looks like fantastic time.
Hi Susan: I do indeed feel blessed. But without readers and supporters like you, it would all be for naught. Thx for being along on the delicious journeys with me–virtually, and in-person when the opportunity arises. 🙂
The beach looks amazing! The Big Island, although it’s known for it’s rocky shoreline does have some great white sand beaches if you take the time to find them.
Thanks for dropping by the blog, Rachel. Yes, the Big Island sure is variable! It has something for everyone! Looking forward to discovering the eastern part of the island on my next trip there.
I love your photos. Big Island looks beautiful. I need to get there. And the fudge combinations sound great.
Thanks, Donna. Yes, I was really impressed with the variety of what we saw and experienced on the western side of the Big Island. Have not yet been to Hilo on the Eastern side, but hope to get there sometime soon …
I really loved almost everything on the island, Doreen, but especially the Fairmont Orchid resort. It was amazing. I loved watching the whales breach in the water from our room, and on a drive. I think the most memorable moment was when we went back to the hotel to find the chef had made a replica of a coco pod out of chocolate and placed it in our room in such a beautiful arrangement with chocolates around it. They were absolutely yummy too. 🙂
It is always a great adventure travelling with you and learning more about chocolate. Truly amazing.
Yes, it was a fabulous island and the day trips were great. The Fairmont was the most beautiful resort I’ve ever been to. Thanks for allowing me to reminisce about this fantastic trip.
You’re welcome, Suzanne. Thx for joining me! Did you have a favourite moment on the Big Island?
Beautiful photos as always of our favorite island. How funny that this is the spot for the beginning and end of the highway. They could have saved some money and printed that information back to back on the same sign! Biggest surprise? The homeless people certainly weren’t a surprise, since if I was going to be homeless this would be the best place to do it.
I hear you, Neva! If one has to be homeless, Hawaii is the place to be! But we actually didn’t see any homeless people in the areas of the Big Island that we visited. Perhaps they were on the Hilo side? We never made it to Hilo. Next time …