(Big Island) Kona - Japanese restaurant question
 

We ate at a lovely Japanese restaurant in Kona several years ago that I no longer remember the name of. It seemed to be in an unlikely place - It was in a shopping center or mall, and the interior looked like it had been shipped over straight from Japan. Ring any bells for anyone? Or alternatively, recommendations for a good Japanese/sushi restaurant?

You might be thinking of Kenichi Pacific, which is in the courtyard of the Keauhou Shopping Center. This restaurant does have an interior with Japanese design and the food is considered very good. They are relatively new in Kona (there since 2004) so not sure if that is within your time frame of several years ago. Best wishes,

Sue Salisbury
Maui Hawaii

Perhaps it was Monstera-which is at the Mauna Lani shops North of Kona.

If you make it up to North Kohala and Hawi, check out Sushi Rock. It is really innovative and always uses deliciously fresh and local ingredients. Like most of the restaurants in Hawi and Kapa'au, it's has a delightfully funky interior. http://sushirockrestaurant.net/

I have heard from friends who live in Hawi that there is a tiny sushi restaurant in Kapa'au, which is quite wonderful and authentic, run by one Japanese woman, and when the fresh fish is gone for the day, the restaurant closes.

A lot of people don't make it up north, but if you are on the Big Island during whale season, the drive up there is one of the best places to see spouts and flapping tails. And there are 4-5 great restaurants. Continue to the end of the road, and you have the beautiful Pololu lookout, as well as the original statue of King Kamehameha.

The drive also takes you past the Pu'ukohola Heiau, which I think is one of the coolest sites in Hawaii. http://www.nps.gov/puhe/index.htm

Thanks all. I don't think it was Kenichi (The interior is way too modern - the interior in the place I am thinking about look like it was right out of Japan hundred years ago). But I do remember one thing. This was about 2005 and there was a very good, higher and wine shop in the same plaza. Ring any bells??