GREAT EATS HAWAII

Sunday, May 30, 2021

MAUNA LANI GOLF COURSE

68-1050 MAKAIWA PLACE

WAIMEA, HI 96743

808-885-6655

https://www.maunalanigolf.com

https://www.instagram.com/maunalanigolf/?hl=en

https://www.facebook.com/MaunaLaniGolf/

Love Mauna Lani golf course. This is a true resort style course that is both beautiful and challenging. The lava is like magnets to my balls though. Lost a few out there but enjoyed every minute of golf here. This was a beautiful and memorable day with my Daughter, her boyfriend and winemaker from Napa Valley, Cameron Hobel. Cameron beat me and he has not played in years. I did not mind because just being on the Big Island and enjoying the beauty made me a winner. Also won with a bottle of Hobel Cabernet which is one of my all time favorite bottles of wine. Mahalo Cameron!

A DAY OF GOLF WITH MY BFF

A LITTLE HOBEL WINE WITH CAMERON HOBEL HIMSELF

MAUNA KEA SUMMIT SUNSET

MAUNA KEA

MAUNA KEA ACCESS ROAD

HILO, HI 96720

808-961-2189

http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/info/vis/home.html

http://www.malamamaunakea.org/articles/7/Summit-Access-Road-conditions

https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/872862015/mauna-kea-observatories/?hl=en

https://www.facebook.com/Mauna-Kea-Observatory-115353311810163/

Cannot believe that I have never been to the top of Mauna Kea while living in Hawaii for over 30 years. My goodness what a mistake. This place is AWESOME and COLD. Temperature at the summit was 39 degrees in May. You definitely need a jacket and warm clothes if you want to be outside and take it all in. We drove up in a small rental 4-Wheel Drive. We were stopped mid way up by a Park Ranger who asked us politely to pull over and spend time getting acclimated to the altitude which reaches 10,700 feet. We stopped for about a half hour at the visitor center and then proceeded up the paved road. Yes the road is paved most of the way. There is however a few miles where the road turns to dirt and gravel. Then it goes back to being paved. Why they don't pave these few miles of road is amazing to me. I think they want to keep the masses out by requiring a four wheel drive vehicle due to this small unpaved section of the road. Makes sense as once you get to the top it is nice to have quiet time without being surrounded by hundreds of people. There were a few dozen vehicles and tour groups at the top, but nothing that bothered us. I brought up a bottle of wine, cheese and meats to have a little sunset party but it was way too cold to sit outside and enjoy. Ended up drinking my vino in the car with the heat on. The views on Mauna Kea are stunning and seeing the many observatories was super cool. Could only imagine what they can see from here. One of the highlights of our visit was we were able to view the International Space Station racing through the night sky. A "holy shit" moment I will never forget.

LOS TRES MEX

WAIKALOA HIGHLANDS CENTER

68-1845 WAIKALOA ROAD

WAIKALOA VILLAGE, HI 96738

808-989-1805

HOURS: Tuesday thru Saturday 12PM - 6:30PM

https://www.lostresmex.com

https://www.yelp.com/biz/los-tres-mex-waikoloa

https://www.facebook.com/LosTresMexicanFood/

There are not too many food options when driving to Mauna Kea from Mauna Lani. We stopped in at Los Tres Mex and found a window with a pleasant and hard working gal ready to take our orders. I went for the Carne Asada Burrito with no rice, beans or tortilla. I asked the girl to make it a protein bowl and she did it without hesitation. I absolutely loved the food but the Carne Asada was a bit tough and served in large pieces that needed to be cut up to eat. While I have never had Carne Asada served like this, the bowl was delicious and I finished it all. My Wife had the Carnitas Plate and loved it too. My Daughter had the Chicken Quesadilla and liked it but said it was very spicy. We enjoyed Los Tres Mex and will definitely find our way back here when visiting Waikaloa.

GOING LOW CARB AT LOS TRES MEX

LOS TRES MEX IN WAIKALOA VILLAGE

LOS TRES MEX MENU

CARNE ASADA BURRTO PROTEIN STYLE

DELICIOUS CARNITAS PLATE

JOHNNY'S MAKANI

MAKANI GOLF CLUB

71-1420 HAWAII BELT ROAD

KAILUA KONA, HI 96740

https://www.johnnysrestaurantshawaii.com/johnnys-makani

https://www.yelp.com/biz/johnny-s-makani-kailua-kona

https://www.facebook.com/pg/johnnysrestaurantshawaii/posts/

After a round of golf at Makani Golf Club we decided to grab lunch at Johnny's Makani Food Truck that sits adjacent to the tent structure clubhouse. I looked over the menu for something low carb and did not see much that I could order. I asked the gal behind the counter if she could do the Cheese Steak protein style in a bowl with lettuce instead of on bread. Sure she said and in minutes I had a Cheese Steak Bowl. It was delicious. Loved it and would order it again and again. My friend had the Shoyu Pork Bowl and loved it too. Good food here for sure and a place to visit even if you do not golf.

JOHNNY MAKANI

JOHNNY'S MAKANI FOOD TRUCK

JOHNNY'S MAKANI MENU

CHEESE STEAK PROTEIN STYLE

SHOYU PORK

MAKANI GOLF CLUB

71-1420 HAWAII BELT ROAD

KAILUA KONA, HI 96740

808-325-5044

https://www.makanigolfclub.com

https://www.golfnow.com/courses/1050803-makani-golf-club-details

https://www.instagram.com/themakanigolfclub/?hl=en

https://www.facebook.com/makanigolfclub/

Makani Golf Club, formerly Big Island Country Club was challenging and difficult. Beautiful too. Was very surprised how tough this little course was. Lost a lot of balls but had one heck of a fun time. Hole #10 kicked our butt with the lake fronting the tee box acting like a magnet and taking our balls. The signature Hole #17 Island Green looks like Sawgrass and the water here was also a magnet for our balls. Loved the views here and would like to play again.