Funny Steve.... I had breakfast at Pine Tree this morning on the way to Honokohau for work
I dig their egg sandwich on the go.
Howard... Good call on Kohala Divers. I personally think the diving on the Kohala coast is A+ Big Island diving. Don't forget about Friscuba's Wanna Dive if you prefer to dive Kona on a smaller service oriented boat.
If you're staying in Waikoloa here is my take on food:
Sansai - Japanese/Asian fusion. They have an early bird special that can't be beat. It used to be half off most of the menu but I think it's now 25% or something. Give them a call and ask. I think it is Sunday/Monday evenings for the discount.
Blue Dragon - A little pricey but an open air restaurant in Kawaihae. I would vote for eating cheap somewhere else and then going to listen to live music here. They get some pretty killer blues acts. My wife and I go there to drink their fancy cocktails now and then.
Tako Taco - An oasis of burrito up in Waimea. They've got some great beer on tap (Rogue's Dead Guy) and are building up a brewing operation this year. The green chili stew can't be beat.
Daniel Theibaut - A semi expensive restaurant in Wimea that has an excellent happy hour. All the bar food is half off and beer/wine is heavily discounted. Go sit at the bar and order before 6:30 PM. Their butternut squash soup shouldn't be missed. Don't bother paying full price after the happy hour.
Huli Sue's BBQ - There's a location up in Waimea for pretty good BBQ. I hear tell they just opened a location at the golf clubhouse in the Mauni Lani resort. Good place to get your meat on. Stick with anything else but the BBQ meat.
The Seafood Bar - In Kawaihae a fun bar with a limited but tasty menu. The poke burger borders on an addiction for me.
Harbor Grill - This place is associated with the Seafood Bar. This is the most reasonable sit down breakfast in the area. Tasty too.
La'au fish market - Across the street from the shops in Kawaihae is a fishmarket that has a lunch truck. The burgers are super tasty (maybe teri flavored?) but the real star is the fresh fish. I like the fish plate lunch which is usually mahi, ahi or ono which can be done a few different ways. You won't find fresher fish. There are picnic tables next to the lunch truck for your grinding pleasure.
Kohala Pacific Diner - A great place for lunch in Kawaihae. Their asian chicken salad is my staple. They're burgers are big and tasty as well. I think the folks that own it are foodie transplants from CA who have adapted themselves to reasonable island fare.
Tres Hombres - Mexican in Kawaihae... please avoid.
Kawaihae Kitchen - I eat here once a week for lunch. A takeout only place that serves sushi and other lunch fare local style. I highly recommend a bento box for breakfast or a sushi bowl for lunch. I get the spicy tuna/shrimp tempora bowl with sushi rice. Yum. Tell'm Eric said Hi.
Cafe Pesto - Slightly expensive but not fancy (I go in there in board shorts for lunch often) in Kawaihae. Their Pizza Luau with kalua pig is tasty. They always have an inventive fresh fish dish that has an island flair. I prefer it for lunch but it's a nice casual place for dinner.
Queen's Shops Food Court - Right in Waikoloa is a pretty good food option. I like the noodle house quite a bit. There are other resturants in the Queen's Shops. Please do stay away from Charlie's Thai. The macaroni grill is fairly usual.
Check
this page out for a complete list of Waikoloa food options including the food court.
Pau - Up in Waimea this fancy pizza joint has a great wine list and an array of salads made from local greens. Quick and casual not too pricey.
There's a supermarket of sorts called
Island Gourmet Market in the Queen's shops. It's expensive for groceries (even by HI standards) but has some pretty good prepared food including cheap sushi.
For a supermarket I suggest
Foodland at the Mauna Lani resort. Small but a good place to stock up on food for your rented condo.
Hope this helps.
-Eric
