Lava Lava Beach Club dining experience at sunset

The Vibe of Waikoloa

Food, Drinks, and Local Color

Kalani Miller, local Hawaiian culture expert

Written by a Local Expert

A-Bay isn't just a collection of activities. It has a real personality, a vibe that's a perfect mix of laid-back beach party and genuine local culture. Two places, right next to each other on the sand, capture this spirit perfectly.

Lava Lava Beach Club: The Heartbeat of A-Bay

If A-Bay has a social center, it's the Lava Lava Beach Club. This place is the definition of a "toes-in-the-sand" experience. It's an open-air restaurant and bar where many of the tables are literally on the beach. You can kick off your slippahs, order a drink, and feel the sand between your toes while you wait for your food.

The menu is what they call "relaxed island cuisine," and it's a great description. You can get anything from fresh fish tacos and burgers to a perfectly cooked steak or the catch of the day. But the real magic of Lava Lava happens in the late afternoon. It's one of the best spots on the entire coast to watch the sunset. They have live music every night starting around 5 pm, and the atmosphere is just electric. Sometimes they even have legendary Hawaiian musicians like Henry Kapono or John Cruz playing, which is a real treat.

A word to the wise: they don't take reservations, and it's incredibly popular, so it's first-come, first-seated. During peak season or on a weekend, you can expect a wait. But they've made the wait part of the fun. You can grab a drink from the bar, play a game of cornhole on the lawn, and just soak in the incredible view while your table gets ready.

The Waikoloa Canoe Club: A Living Tradition

Right next door to the buzz of Lava Lava, you'll find something quieter but just as powerful: the home of the Waikoloa Canoe Club. Outrigger canoe paddling, or heihei waʻa, is Hawaiʻi's official state team sport, but it's so much more than that. It's a direct link to our voyaging ancestors who first crossed the Pacific in these incredible vessels.

The Waikoloa Canoe Club is a vital part of our community, a place where the traditions of paddling are passed down and the values of teamwork and mālama—caring for the canoes, the ocean, and each other—are taught. For visitors, the club offers a beautiful glimpse into this living culture. On Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday mornings, you can come down to the beach and watch the crews take their canoes out for practice. Seeing these sleek canoes glide across the bay with the morning sun glinting off the water is a truly authentic and beautiful Hawaiian experience. It's the perfect counterpoint to the resort vibe, a reminder of the deep cultural roots that anchor this place.

🍽️ Lava Lava Beach Club

Open-air dining with tables literally on the beach. Fresh fish tacos, burgers, steaks, and nightly live music starting at 5 PM.

🛶 Waikoloa Canoe Club

Watch traditional outrigger canoe practice on Tue/Thu/Sun mornings. Hawaii's official state team sport in action.

Beyond the Bay: The Waikoloa Beach Resort

Of course, A-Bay is part of the larger Waikoloa Beach Resort. The Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa sits right on the bay, and the massive Hilton Waikoloa Village is just a short walk to the north. If you're looking for more extensive shopping or a wider variety of restaurants, the Kings' Shops and Queens' Marketplace are just a short walk or drive away from the beach parking lot, offering everything from high-end boutiques to grocery stores and food courts.