Hawaii - Jeff Campbell [188]
Moku O Keawe (886-8822; www.mokif.com; Waikoloa Resort Area; hula competition admission per night $15) Held in early November. Established in 2006, this three-night international hula competition includes kahiko (ancient), ′auana (modern) and kapuna (elder) categories; gets top Japanese hula troupes and includes wonderful hula arts workshops. A great, less-crowded alternative to the iconic Merrie Monarch Festival (Click here).
Sleeping
Hilton Waikoloa Village (886-1234, 800-445-8667; www.hiltonwaikoloavillage.com; 69-425 Waikoloa Beach Dr; r $230-650; ) Gleefully ostentatious and grandiose, the 62-acre Hilton Waikoloa is as much event as accommodation. A monorail and canopied boats cruise canals past an artificial saltwater lagoon through grounds studded with oversized statuary and museum-quality Asian and Polynesian art. Every bend is theatrically designed to elicit ooohs and ahhhs. Rooms are plain by comparison, but they are sturdy, pleasing places to rest in between all the entertainment, such as the gargantuan pools and the dolphin swims (Click here). It’S great for families, but watch out for extra fees.
Waikoloa Beach Marriott (886-6789, 877-924-5656; www.waikoloabeachmarriott.com; 69-275 Waikoloa Beach Dr; r $284-550; ) The Marriott’S beachside location, fronting ′Anaeho′omalu Bay, is far superior to the Hilton’S, and recently renovated rooms are a notch above as well (but a notch or two below the Mauna Lani resorts). Muted colors are soothing, and rooms have good-quality amenities, but bathrooms are mundane. All rooms are the same size; price varies by view and location. It’S a good place to save by forgoing an ocean vista.
Eating
Merriman’S Market Café (886-1700; www.merrimanshawaii.com; Kings’ Shops; dinner mains $14-28; 11:30am-9:30pm) This Kings’ Shops location of the famous Merriman’S in Waimea (Click here) is more low-key and casual, but it serves similar Mediterranean-influenced dishes featuring organic island-grown produce, locally caught fish and artisanal breads, cheeses and wines. The dinner menu includes a range of delicious midpriced tapas and salads to tide you over while shopping, but the mall setting undercuts its ambience.
Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar (886-6286; www.sanseihawaii.com; Queens’ MarketPlace; sushi $4-22, mains $20-40; 5:30-10pm, till 1am Fri & Sat) Celebrity chef DK Kodama opened this Big Island outlet of his lauded Maui restaurant to great acclaim. Promising ‘new wave sushi,’ Sansei delivers fun, innovative, fusion Japanese cuisine. Signature dishes – like the panko-crusted ahi roll with spinach – have visual panache and vibrant flavors. Even seaweed salad comes in a martini glass. The dining room is bright, loud and upbeat, encouraging a good time rather than intimate conversation.
Roy’S Waikoloa Bar & Grill (886-4321; Kings’ Shops; mains $26-35; 5-9:30pm) The renowned Roy Yamaguchi opened his first restaurant over 20 years ago, leading a wave of Hawaiian fusion cuisine. Today, Hawaiian fusion is everywhere (and his restaurant is an international chain), but Roy’S still sets the standard. You will appreciate delicate blackened ahi all over again, and dishes like rack of lamb in a liliko‘i (passion fruit) cabernet sauce will knock your socks off.
Queens’ Marketplace (886-8822; www.waikoloabeachresort.com/big-island-shopping; 201 Waikoloa Beach Dr; food court 7:30am-9:30pm) has a budget-friendly fast-food court (Subway, Dairy Queen etc) and Island Gourmet Markets (886-3577; 7am-10pm), an enormous upscale grocery store with fresh produce and tons of picnic-ready takeout: sushi, poke, bentō, Spam musubi (fried Spam and rice sushi), and more.
Entertainment
The Waikoloa luaus are crowd-pleasers, but neither serves food as good as that at the Kona Village luau (Click here).
Legends of the Pacific (886-1234, ext 54; Hilton Waikoloa Village; adult/child 5-12 $99/59; shows 6pm Tue & Fri) The Hilton’S luau