Just an early heads up for all Kona-bound athletes and their families. Many restaurants on the west side of Hawaii Island are now by reservation only with reservations being booked 6 weeks out and occasionally more. This includes many of the more popular places and also extends to Volcano House in Volcano National Park on the windward side. If you know you’re going to be dining out at a nicer place, make those reservations early.
If you’re returning to Kona, the place is very, very different. Some of the places you remember, whether that be a coffee shop or restaurant, are gone. Some are pandemic-related, while many are not. The ‘historic’ downtown is vastly different compared to 2019. Check to see if your favorite eatery still exists. Some of the familiar places such as Hugo’s, Lava Java, Merriman’s, Brown’s Beach House, and the like are still around. Many of the hole-in-the-wall coffee shops are gone – some have been replaced by all new ventures.
I’ll have an all-new Post-Appoclytpic Kona Survival Guide ready to post in about 10 days or so.
i’m sure it’s a different place. that said, most of my favorite restaurants are gone, and they were gone before the pandemic. no more kona cafe near the hospital, what was that called? great breakfast place. and the indonesian place downtown in one of those side alleys, what was it called? was that sibu? and the old school breakfast place on the green building right on alii drive, across the street from dig me beach? right across from the sea wall? and the chart house. drysdales. what’s that mexican restaurant right across the street from the king kam where we used to have our big post-race party?
there was a restaurant on kuakini highway, good place for breakfast. kona ranch house maybe? is it still there? at least the kona inn is still there. (i hope.) that’s the one restaurant that remains from when i first came to the ironman in 1981.
Dan (and gang), I live in upcountry Hawaii island now near Waimea after nearly two decades in Kailua town. It was still a shock to me when I went down there to carefully look (instead of doing a drive-by) at the area athletes will be guaranteed to frequent. As for the specific places mentioned: Kona Inn has reopened, they closed for quite a while during the pandemic. Da Poke Shack. I’ll go look and see, it was a local hangout and primarily takeout so the odds are in its favor. Los Habaneros, the Keauhou location still exists. The closing of the Alii Drive location predated the pandemic (by just a bit). Hugo's and Hugo's on the Rocks is still there. Daylight Mind (In the old Chart House location) is gone and has been for ages. That also predates the pandemic. Holukoa Cafe closed just as the pandemic started. I'm not sure why that was the case but it's gone. Most of the Mom and Pop coffee shops closed, Kope Lani across from the palace is gone. That was one of my favorites. On the other hand, Kalikala Cuisine, right on Alii Drive very near the finish opened in 2018 IIRC and is doing great business. Good food and a nice spot to hang out if you want to see the runners perhaps. On the nonrestaurant end, Unison, which sells souvenirs, Ironman merchandise, and athletic needs (goggles, etc) is still up and running and will be open at 4 am on both race days.
The various breakfast places near Dig Me beaches are open, at least one is semi-new. Quinn’s Almost by The Sea is open. Nothing can kill that place.