“Brew Your Best Cup”- Coffee Brewing Workshop
Heavenly Hawaiian Coffee Farm • Farm • Holualoa, Island of Hawaii • Hawaii
Hawi Food & Shopping
Where local farms meet talented chefs and boutique treasures fill historic plantation buildings
Written by a Local Expert
Leilani AkoFarm-to-Table Feasts
The same spirit that transformed empty buildings into art galleries has revolutionized Hawi's food scene. Local chefs work directly with nearby farms and ranches to create menus that taste like the land itself.
Bamboo Restaurant stands as the crown jewel of Hawi dining, but it's far from the only treasure. This landmark establishment occupies a restored plantation house where every meal feels like a celebration of local flavors and traditions. The kitchen sources ingredients from farms scattered across North Kohala, creating dishes that change with the seasons and the harvest.
But here's my insider secret about Bamboo Restaurant. Ask for their "Paniolo-style" fish of the day. This preparation pays homage to the region's cowboy heritage with a savory, kiawe-smoked flavor that isn't always listed on the menu. The technique comes from traditional methods used by paniolo families for generations.
Other restaurants throughout town follow similar philosophies. Cafes serve coffee grown on nearby slopes. Bakeries use fruits picked that morning from local farms. Even the simple plate lunch spots incorporate ingredients that tell the story of North Kohala's agricultural heritage.
This commitment to local sourcing creates more than just delicious food. It builds connections between visitors and the land, between past and present, between the global and the deeply local.
🍽️ Bamboo Restaurant
Crown jewel of Hawi dining in a restored plantation house, featuring seasonal menus and the famous "Paniolo-style" preparations.
☕ Local Coffee Culture
Cafes serve coffee grown on nearby North Kohala slopes, showcasing the region's unique terroir and growing conditions.
🥖 Fresh Daily Baking
Bakeries incorporate fruits picked that morning from local farms, creating pastries that capture the season's best flavors.
🌾 Agricultural Heritage
Even simple plate lunch spots tell the story of North Kohala's multicultural agricultural past through their ingredients.
Boutique Bliss
Shopping in Hawi feels like treasure hunting. Small boutiques occupy charming plantation-era buildings, each offering carefully curated collections that reflect the town's artistic spirit and cultural heritage.
You'll find handmade jewelry crafted from materials gathered on North Kohala beaches. Local artisans create clothing that captures the easy elegance of island living. Bookstores stock titles by Hawaii authors alongside carefully chosen works that illuminate Pacific culture and history.
What sets Hawi shopping apart is the personal touch. Shop owners know their inventory intimately. They can tell you exactly where that piece of pottery was made, who designed that dress, or how long it took to create that intricate wood carving. Shopping becomes education, conversation, and cultural exchange all rolled into one experience.
The commitment to local craftsmanship extends beyond individual shops. Many boutiques work cooperatively, hosting events that showcase multiple artists and creating a sense of community that visitors can feel and appreciate.
🍽️ Dining Info
- Bamboo Restaurant: Dinner reservations
- Cafes: 7am-3pm typical
- Bakeries: Early morning best
- Plate Lunch: 11am-2pm peak
🛍️ Shopping Tips
- Ask about artist stories
- Support local artisans
- Check for special events
- Bring reusable bags
- Chat with shop owners
🌺 Local Specialties
Beach Glass Jewelry
Made from North Kohala shores
Island Fashion
Easy elegance for island living
Pacific Literature
Books by Hawaii authors
Koa Wood Crafts
Traditional & contemporary
Seasonal Farmers' Markets
The weekly farmers' market in Hawi provides a window into North Kohala's agricultural abundance and cultural diversity. Local farmers bring produce that reflects both the region's unique growing conditions and the multicultural heritage of its communities.
You'll find traditional Hawaiian crops like taro and breadfruit alongside Asian vegetables introduced by plantation-era immigrants. Portuguese malasadas share table space with Filipino lumpia. Local coffee competes with tropical fruits that grow nowhere else in the United States.
The market serves local families as much as visitors, creating an authentic community atmosphere where shopping becomes social interaction. Farmers share growing tips, recipes, and stories about their land and their families. Regular customers catch up on neighborhood news and local events.
These markets also showcase the commitment to sustainable agriculture that defines modern North Kohala. Many vendors practice organic farming techniques that honor traditional Hawaiian land management while meeting contemporary environmental standards.
Visitors who shop at these markets often discover ingredients and flavors that transform their understanding of Hawaiian cuisine. Taking home local coffee beans, exotic fruits, or traditional Hawaiian salt provides a way to extend the Hawi experience long after leaving the islands.
Traditional Crops
Taro, breadfruit, and other Native Hawaiian staples grow alongside crops introduced by diverse immigrant communities.
Cultural Exchange
Portuguese malasadas, Filipino lumpia, and Asian vegetables reflect the multicultural heritage of plantation-era communities.
Sustainable Practices
Organic farming techniques honor traditional Hawaiian land management while meeting contemporary environmental standards.
These markets also showcase the commitment to sustainable agriculture that defines modern North Kohala. Many vendors practice organic farming techniques that honor traditional Hawaiian land management while meeting contemporary environmental standards.
