This story was originally published on Feb. 24, 2014. “You didn’t pre-order?” As she says this, the woman behind the counter at Two Ladies Kitchen stares at me in disbelief. A line of customers winds behind me and out of the small downtown Hilo mochi shop and onto the sidewalk alongside bustling Kīlauea Avenue. […]
It’s well-known among locals that if you’re visiting Hawaiʻi Island, you better return with delicious omiyage (gifts) to share. From fluffy sweet bread to delightful strawberry mochi, some seriously iconic sweet treats can be enjoyed on Hawaiʻi Island. According to HAWAIʻI Magazine readers, these are the best bakeries on the Big Island in 2025.
Hawaiʻi Island, nicknamed the Big Island, is known for its grand natural wonders. Travelers can witness a fiery eruption at Kīlauea, hike to a 420-foot waterfall, ride horses in paniolo (cowboy) country, swim with manta rays and trek to a black-sand beach—and more, all on the largest Hawaiian island. Then, after working up an appetite,
“You’ve never been to Two Ladies Kitchen?” I couldn’t hide my shock. My co-worker had been to Hawaiʻi Island several times, and she had never once stopped at the famous mochi-ya on Kīlauea Avenue in Downtown Hilo. I didn’t think that was possible. I can’t recall a single trip to Hilo, the sleepy town on
The light rain, the cozy gray mornings, the old buildings and shops that haven’t changed in decades. Everything in Hilo is a little slower, a little quieter, a little more relaxed. The sleepy town on Hawai‘i Island’s east side isn’t on the top of most travel itineraries, with visitors only flying in for the hourlong
Satisfy your sweet tooth at these famous bakeries that make decadent treats on Hawaiʻi Island. From soft mochi to piping hot malasada, here’s how HAWAIʻI Magazine’s readers ranked the best bakeries they’ve enjoyed in 2023. Punaluʻu Bake Shop Located in Nā‘ālehu, this bakery was once located inside a restaurant where it became famous for its
It seems like everything grows on Hawai‘i Island, from coffee beans to sweet potatoes, and nowhere is that more apparent than in Hilo. Gorgeously lush, the town features a distinctly overgrown aesthetic with small businesses, shops and natural wonders around every corner. The store specializes in gorgeous hand-woves lau hala hats. Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino Hana Hou
Every time I visit Hilo, I’m amazed by how much the sleepy town on Hawaiʻi Island has changed—and how much is hasn’t changed at all. The little town on the northeastern side of the Big Island has seen a lot of changes. It was first settled around A.D. 1100 by Polynesians, who established agricultural and
It’s Monday! You know what that means. Cat and Kevin are back with the 17th episode of the “Have Aloha Will Travel” podcast. This week, they’re talking story with Kainoa Daines, who works as the director of culture and product development at the Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau. After shouting out our Ask Hawaii Instagram video series, Kainoa
Photo: John Menard/Flickr Built in 1979 on land donated by Queen Liliuokalani, this Edo-style park and garden right on Hilo Bay is the perfect place to jog or walk. The park, which is one of the largest Edo-style parks outside of Japan, has ponds and tiny bridges and numerous banyan and bamboo trees to find
“You didn’t pre-order?” As she says this, the woman behind the counter at Two Ladies Kitchen stares at me in disbelief. A line of customers winds behind me and out of the small downtown Hilo mochi shop and onto the sidewalk alongside bustling Kīlauea Avenue. “You have to pre-order. They sell out,” she scolds, gently.
