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Destination: Hawaii (Big) Island Article Source: Copyright © 2012 by Fodor’s Travel, a division of Random House Inc. All rights reserved.
This cheerful market is the place to go on Saturday morning, and for good reason: live music, plus local produce (much of it organic), goat cheese, honey, meat, flowers, coffee, and macadamia nuts. Be sure to try Earthly Delight's fresh-baked pastries. Sample Lotus Cafe's savory breakfast offerings and fresh-squeezed sugarcane juice. www.keauhoufarmersmarket.com.
This large retail complex includes Costco—the best place to stock up on food if you're staying in a condo for a week or more. For lunch, stop at Ceviche Dave's and enjoy some fresh fish.
This chocolate company has been satisfying sweet tooths for more than three decades with decadent desserts and sinful bites of chocolate heaven. Many truffles and candies incorporate local ingredients (passion-fruit truffles and chocolate-covered mango—yum). There are also a variety of cheesecakes and mousse cakes that will melt in your mouth. Of course, tasting is part of the fun. Through a glass wall you can watch the chocolate artists at work Monday to Saturday from 9 to 5. www.kailuacandy.com.
This boutique carries a wide selection of fine pearl jewelry, including Tahitian black pearls, South Sea white and golden pearls, and chocolate Tahitian pearls. Also look for fresh-water pearls in the shell. Prices are high but you're paying for quality and beauty. www.waikoloabeachresort.com.
In the quaint village of Holualoa, this is one of several excellent galleries that occupy the narrow street. The gallery carries stunning contemporary raku pottery, original paintings by local artists, and other collectibles, including owner Matt Lovein's famous Wish Keepers ceramic sculptures. www.lovein.com.
Surfer chic, compliments of Roxy, Volcom, and the like is on offer here for both men and women. This is a great place to look for a bikini or board shorts, or to pick up a cool, casual T-shirt or beautifully embroidered sweat jacket. A second location at the Waikoloa Beach Resort focuses on wahine (women's) apparel. www.honoluasurf.com.
This shopping plaza encloses 40 shops, including and Lanky's Pastries and Island Naturals Market and Deli. Restaurants include Happy Valley Seafood, Sunlight Cafe, and Restaurant Niwa. You'll also find everyhing from a day spa to a pharmacy to a trendy boutique. There's plenty of free parking.
The 200 vendors here sell a profusion of tropical flowers, locally grown produce, aromatic honey, tangy goat cheese, and fresh baked goods at extraordinary prices. This colorful, open-air market—the most popular on the island—opens for business Wednesday and Saturday from 6 am to 4 pm. A smaller market on the other days features 20 to 30 vendors. www.hilofarmersmarket.com.
The Hawaiian quilt is a work of art that is prized and passed down through generations. At this store you find everything from hand-quilted purses and bags to wall hangings and blankets. You can even get a take-home kit and make your very own Hawaiian quilt, if you have the time. www.hawaiianquilts.com.
The best place to shop for a quirky gift or just to poke around, Glass from the Past is a truly unique store chock-full of antiques, vintage clothing, a colorful assortment of old bottles, and ephemera.