It’s been while since I was at O’s, and in fact, I still remember when it was called Oodles of Noodles.  But now Oodles of Noodles is all grown up– in fact, I think the name alone makes this quite apparent.

O’s Bistro is now in the same location at the Crossroads Mall in Kona on the Big Island, near Wal-Mart and Cold Stone, which makes it possible for you to eat too much, but you can buy a bigger pair of shorts for the ride home.

But what endears me to O’s  is that they’ll make you a nice little order to go, or for you to finish making at home, and put it on a nice little platter that you can return the next day.  It’s the little things like that that make you feel like you have friends in town, even if you’re just there for a week.  Happy eating.

Post from: The Hawaii Traveler

 If you think Kona’s just about the coffee, consider also its grapes.  For one, The Volcano Winery at the 30 mile marker in Volcanoes makes award winning wines that can’t be had anywhere but in the great state of Hawaii.  (For a list of states to which you can have wine shipped, check out the rates and availability here.)

Attend a tasting, or just take a tour. And when your friends ask you how it tastes, tell them, “Like chicken.” Gets ‘em every time.

Photo by Flickr–Creative Commons, by jesiehart

Post from: The Hawaii Traveler

Every year in Kona, Hawai’i, the Ironman triathlon world championship basically takes over the city.  This year, on October 11, 2008, over a thousand athletes run, bike, and swim the grueling course that has made Ironman–and Kona–famous.While I don’t know many triathletes (they always seem to be training instead of combing the beach for that perfect shell), my favorite Ironman story is about Major Bill Connor, who won a lottery spot in this year’s triathlon, and is training for it in Iraq.   Now THAT’S multi-tasking.  Way to go, Bill, we’re rooting for you.

Post from: The Hawaii Traveler

At the Makalei Country Club on the Big Island, you’ll find more than just the run-of-the-mill water hazards and sand traps. And you’ll most likely hear them before you see them. They’re peacocks, of course, Makalei’s most vocal, and in-the-way guests. The shrieking they do is their way of saying “Fore!” I guess, which they do with great enthusiasm. Take that while you’re working on your back swing.

Apart from the peacocks, Makalei is one of the quieter clubs (people-wise), probably since it’s up a few thousand feet from sea level. North of Kona on 190, it’s cooler and less windy there. Makalei has, in addition to wild peacocks, turkeys, and pheasant, great views of the coast, and nice, well maintained grounds that are fun to roam and play.

Photo credit: Jody Reale

Post from: The Hawaii Traveler