#1 Most Romantic Thing to Do on the Big Island of Hawaii

For my #1 Romantic Thing to do on the Big Island, I’ve got a couple options for you.

First Option – Secluded Oceanside Sunset Dinner for Two

First, press “Play”…

… then picture this

After you’ve both dressed to the nines in a gorgeous new tropical floral dress and a handsome pair of cool linen slacks and jacket, your personal escort will take you and your love through the amazingly landscaped Hualalai grounds . . .

. . . to your secluded dining location on a deserted beach.

Once there, cuddle up on your private love seat, kick off your strappy sandals or slippahs (that’s flip flops to you and me) and watch the sun sink beneath the horizon, your feet relaxing in the warm sand and a frothy cold coconut pineapple drink in your hand (my favorite is Passionfruit, Orange and Guava! )

Then adjourn to your romantic table for two where fresh Island flowers, fine linens, tiki torches (gotta have tiki torches!) and beautiful china await.  Your dedicated server will ply you with a four course meal based on your earlier private meeting with the chef.

Savor the grilled Sriracha Shrimp with watermelon and local herbs, drizzled with a lemongrass citrus dressing.

Or perhaps a Spicy Hualalai Roll?

Follow it up with Mongolian Beef with prime strip steak.

Or flamed grilled Hapu

And for dessert…

Or maybe this…

When you’re done gazing into each other’s eyes over the dinner table, finish your evening with a star gazing session guided by your own private astronomer and telescope.

Then, if you’re staying at the Four Seasons, retire to your room for an in-room floral bath following diner.

If you’re looking for the ultimate romantic thing to do on the Big Island with every detail handled, this is it.  For an intimate, out of this world, pull out all the stops romantic experience, the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai (pron. Ha-WAL-la-lie) delivers in spades.  It’s not inexpensive.  Not even remotely.  And many items, such as lounge furniture to take it to the next level, are extra. But this experience is hands-down about as romantic as it gets.

Now, here’s a slightly different spin on that concept.

Second Option – Romantic Oceanside Sunset Picnic

With a little effort (and a lot less expense) you can create your own awesome secluded beach experience.

You start by picking up a couple large beach towels from your hotel, then head out to pick up some food.   In the mood for some tempting gourmet treats?  As your romance concierge, may I suggest one the following.

Perfect Picnic food for your romantic dinner on the beach

First Stop – Island Gourmet Markets

Located in the Queens’ MarketPlace on Waikoloa Beach Drive in Waikoloa , Island Gourmet Markets offers a wide selection of delicious gourmet foods, including many imported delicacies. The gourmet market also offers shoppers the opportunity to explore a variety of both locally produced and internationally imported organic and specialty foods, an extensive assortment of smoked seafood, and a large selection of artisan cheeses.  Pick up one of their tasty side salads or great sandwiches for a picnic-style ocean-front dinner.  They also have some very tempting dessert options.  

This would make a wonderful dessert!

And don’t forget to get some Hawaiian Sun Passion Orange or Lilikoi Passion, ice and a small cooler.

Or how about some local Hawaiian fare?

Da Poke Shack

Have you tried poke yet? Poke (pron. Po-kay, rhymes with Okay) is a Hawaiian staple.  It’s traditionally a chunky, salad featuring various raw fish.  Da Poke Shake has incredibly fresh seafood poke selections with an unbelievable choose of options.  Similar to ceviche, but more savory.  Ahi or octopus are common choices mixed with various seasonings.  On the Big Island the place for poke is Da Poke Shack.  Try their Dynamite and Creamy Garlic Poke, delicious! (With your romantic evening in mind, you should probably BOTH try some.)  This is an excellent beach picnic choice.

Don’t these look great?  They taste every bit as wonderful as they look.

Their featured poke includes:

• Pele’s Kiss (spicy)
• Dynamite (avocado aioli)
• Shack Special (sweet)
• Sesame (oil & seeds)
• Shoyu (soy sauce)
• Hawaiian (traditional)
• Wet Hawaiian (inamona)
• Spicy Garlic Sesame

It’s all good.

Here are a couple more great options.

Broke Da Mouth Grindz

The portions are huge! You’ll want to try the furikake chicken, loco moko, oxtail adobo, and garlic shrimp. You’ll find everything is delicious and you’ll especially like the garlic shrimp, it’s mazing.  Don’t just peel off the shell, savor it in all its crispy glory. The mac salad is really tasty too, as is the furikake chicken. This will be one of the best local plates you’ll have on the Big Island and you need to try it at least once while you’re here.

TJs BBQ by the Beach

TJ’s is a little gem.  The ribs are to DIE FOR!!   The rib sauce is marvelous, the flavor is wonderful and you’ll find the bones fell out they are so tender.  Get lots of napkins.  The burgers are fantastic too, huge and so juicy.

Owned by Tim and Joanna Bly, an incredibly nice couple, TJ’s sauces and rubs are house made and the ribs are cooked in a state of the art industrial smoker.

Order early and reserve yours at (425) 308-1815 – before they sell out.

Now we just need a secluded, romantic beach.   So, will this work for you?

Yeah, that’s kinda what I thought.

Welcome to Makalawena Beach in Kekaha Kai State Park

There are no facilities of any kind at Makalawena (pron. Maw-kaw-la-wee-na), so you’ll be glad you brought everything you’ll need for your picnic here.  And, as always, pack out all your trash.  The trail to Makalawena is pretty rough, so you may appreciate closed-toed shoes.

Take Hwy. 19 north of Kailua-Kona and Kona International Airport. The rough dirt road to Mahai’ula Bay is between the 90 and 91 mile markers. The road used to be difficult for passenger cars, but recent state construction work as of April 2013 has drastically improved the road.  To get to the beach, hike north to Mahai’ula Bay and you’ll find a well-defined trail through an ʻaʻā lava field. The lava field transitions into a field of huge white sand dunes covered with pōhuehue, beach morning glories.  Hike with your love through the dunes toward the back of the beach. At the northern edge of the dunes, you’ll find a short spur trail to a small brackish pond set in a stand of palm trees.

And so you and your love nestle in on the warm sand, hand in hand, with your feast and enjoy the sunset, but most of all – each other.

Sunset Times on the Big Island 

And speaking of hand in hand, romantic Hawaii and gorgeous sunsets go together!    Here’s all you need to plan.