ACvonH

Hi all-
We'll be staying in a friend's house near the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. We'd love to make a big lobster dinner. Any recommendations for a place to buy live lobsters (grocery stores? lobster farms?) and any approximation of price?
Many thanks!

SuzieTrue

Are you thinking of lobsters like in Maine? Or are you talking about Pacific lobsters? They are two very different creatures.

crazy4Hawaii

There is a lobster farm on the Big Island. The Coast Grille, and perhaps other Kohala coast restaurants, get their lobsters there. Whether they are available to the general public, I cannot say. I would be tempted to call The Coast Grille and ask them.

ACvonH

Suzie-I'm only familiar with Maine lobsters, but I'm willing to expand my horizons as long as it tastes good!

Thanks- I'll try the Coast Grille and see if they have info..

Candy210

Apparantly Hawaiian lobsters are "raised" . They are listed on menus as Kehole lobsters . We asked about the Kehole lobster & was told that the are really Maine lobsters flown & raised in the waters off of Kehole. We only saw them on menus & not available at fisheries or take out places this past July.

auntiemaria

The restrictions imposed by our state, severely limit the acceptable size and number of allowed catch-per-person daily rate...which is why you will rarely (if ever) find true Hawaiian lobster on a restaurant menu.

Most folks who are lucky enough to catch lobster just share it with family/friends (they are small, compared to Maine lobsters -- and have no claws). Since our lobsters are warm-water, they're so sweet there is no need to dip them in butter or mayo. I've only had one -- and sure wish someone would offer me another sometime!