costco Big island
 

Haven't been to this location before. Arriving next week and since it's close to the airport we will make a visit. Any favorite items to stock up on? A particular coffee? Snack? Proteins? Trinkets? Books? Fish? Flowers? . . . . . . .

Oh, and we will be on island for 2 weeks

Booze is a great deal. I think the Kirkland white wine is really nice ($7.99 for 1.5 L, I esp.like it for a mixer), rum, etc., and POG in a gallon jug.
They had a terrific new instant coffee drink that was mocha ( hot or cold) that I'm going to bring home next visit.
Eggs, English muffins, bread (exorbitant anywhere else), mixed cheese slices, cold cuts, ONO! Ahi, mahi, tri tip, and NY strip steaks. Also the poke is very good, and the pizza is a deal.
Maui chips, macadamia nuts (gift boxes), sometimes island soaps and lotions.
Of course, gasoline.
The gardeners where we stay let us cut fresh stalks of red ginger and other blooms from flowering shrubs (I always ask first, of course; they seem to be always trimming them, anyway).

Unless you're planning to drink a lot of booze, beer, or wine, or are low on gas, I don't know if I'd bother. Buy your fish at Da Fish House, flowers at a farmers market in Waimea, snacks at Hamakua Macadamia Nut Co., and shop for trinkets or other souvenir-type stuff in Hawi. We're still looking for a favorite place to buy coffee, but Mauka Meadows is an interesting experience.

You'll never make a memory at Costco, but you might as a result of visiting any of those other places.

We always enjoy visiting Costco when we are in Kauai, or any other island for that matter. It's fun to see the regional specialities. That said, the portions are generally too large for the 2 of us. We do buy a few bottles of wine, maybe a jug of the local Koloa Rum maitai mix, a bag of taro chips, things like that. I mean the mango cheesecake always looks luscious but for 2? And then we go to the smaller groceries and fish markets. Buy out souvenir macadamia nuts at the ABC store.

OTOH we filled a cart at the Costco in Novato CA on our way to the family vacation in Bodega Bay - 15 of us on holiday together.

"You'll never make a memory at Costco, but you might as a result of visiting any of those other places."

Actually a few years ago, on Kauai, I helped an elder Auntie to her car and load her car. She gave me her lei as a sign of aloha.

Of course I have plans to visit many farmers markets and local grocers. I am just interested in visiting a costco since we have 2 weeks in a gourmet kitchen overlooking a private pool, overlooking farm country, overlooking the ocean with sunrise and sunset in our path. Regardless where I shop, I am happy to leave larger pantry items for future guests. For instance, I would likely never buy the smallest size tin foil to save a few cents if the house ran out. If there is an oil or vinegar or sauce I like, I'll buy it use it and mark it with a sharpie for future guests.

I don't think I am doing an injustice to local vendors by visiting Costco. If they sell to Costco, to sell to me, how am I not supporting local industry?

I like the idea of bread. I recall how expensive it can be, so if I notice something, it will keep in the freezer over the two weeks.

I have been to a few coffee farms and wasn't impressed. Usually I buy at the grocer a local 100% Kona coffee, so why not buy a bit in bulk and leave the rest behind?

<I'll buy it use it and mark it with a sharpie for future guests.>
I have never stayed anywhere where they don't throw everything out before the next guests arrive. My SIL always stocks up for VRBO stays and always thinks that the stuff she leaves behind is welcome. Maybe the cleaning people take it, maybe the owners take it, but after a while, surely they have more oils and vinegars than they ever wanted.

NewB, You seem to be responding to my posts constantly negatively. It's rather uncomfortable at this point.

I am speaking of my personal travels, and if you have a second hand party/ SIL, you really don't know of what you speak. I have had many condiments, spices, soy/fish/oyster sauce, root vegetables and dry goods and canned goods, bottled water, alcohol etc.. left in a rental. And I have made good use of them.

I KNOW and have stayed at many vacation rentals where pantry items are left for future guests, or the staff. You have no reason to KNOW what the staff did after your SIL left. What they took, what they left.

Why are you stalking me? I was starting a nice thread here. Speaking honestly about my experience. Why question that?

When the condo we have visited several times changed ownership from South Kohala mngmnt/Outrigger to private, we were thrilled when there were leftovers in the fridge and spices, oils, etc. in the cupboard. The first time, there wasn't even salt and pepper! We asked the owner her policy the second time we rented, and she told us that she asked the cleaning staff to leave anything that was basically nonperishable or later expiration. We leave behind stuff now too, and I'm sure someone is happy to have 1/2 lb of coffee or whatever. That includes shampoos/body wash/sunscreen.
In two weeks, two of us can easily go through Costco-size stuff: 18 eggs, POG, rum, fish: maybe not 4 lbs of butter or 10 lbs of rice, but that's what Safeway's for!
(BTW, another great Costco breakfast item is croissants; they freeze beautifully, and you can use them for sandwiches, too. And the price is killer.)

If you're there for 2 weeks, and have a kitchen, it probably makes sense to stock up at Costco. Otherwise there's a large grocery store in Kona.

Personally, I hate to shop when on vacation. But it's great to have coffee, cereals, eggs, bread, juice, bagels, etc. on hand for breakfasts.

We always seem to purchase way too much, though. Have been known to bring home the extras in our luggage, when possible.

PS The Kona Inn Restaurant is a great place for fresh fish sandwiches, sitting on their deck at waterside. It's one of the few inexpensive places we found, to get a bite and be able to sit overlooking the water.
http://www.windandsearestaurants.com/konainn/home.htm

There are a number of things we stock up on at the Kauai Costco. We do buy some wine, and we buy Koloa Rum to take home. They carry the Kauai eggs for less than the $9 a dozen they sell for at local grocery stores. They usually have the fresh wild Kauai shrimp. Fruits and veggies we buy from the sunshine markets.

We stay for a month, and like to do one stock-up right after we get there rather than going back and forth to Lihue.

Enjoy your time on the big island - it's the only one I haven't visited.

"I am happy to leave larger pantry items for future guests. For instance, I would likely never buy the smallest size tin foil to save a few cents if the house ran out."

Kudos to you, and we feel the same way, but doesn't that kind of defeat the purpose of going to Costco in the first place? We'd rather spend the few dollars more to patronize local stores/shops/markets, where in our experience, there's greater opportunity to interact with local culture.

I see throngs of locals at Costco and Safeway, people as cost conscious as I. Where I see tourists? The farmers markets.

Relatively inexpensive, I meant to say.

sylvia, I bet if you went to a farmers market you might also recognize a few locals you saw at costco picking up crates of produce to sell at the farmers market!

We always do carryon and leave our shampoo and suntan lotion and bug spray behind. I tend to try to visit our lodging to see what's available before buying. I've also left sunblock and bottled water with the rental car agents who are always appreciative.

And Da Poke Shack is great for an impromptu sit-in-the-park
lunch (we always have beach chairs in the trunk).

Water, POG, bread, flowers, wine, liquor, beer and of course, the dreaded "Blue Bible"(for maps, of course!)
Where you staying? Have fun! Miss you and the other person on da brick in Kauai!!!!

Inaka, get the heck over yourself. Or spend more time in the Lounge to work out your aggression.

Meanwhile, I will comment when and where I feel like it, 'kay? Just because my personal experience isn't useful to you does not mean it won't be to others, and it's certainly no reason to pick a fight.

I'm sorry, but "stocking up" for a two week vacation is dumb.

As I said, the last thing I want to do on vacay, is spend time inside a store.

Arriving without toiletries would not be something I'd do.

I know people say, if you forget something, you can easily 'buy it there'. No, you can't. Not unless you don't mind what toiletries you use, because you can't easily find your favorite shampoo/deodorant/sunscreen, and you'll likely pay dearly for what you find.

Just get travel-sized containers, if you refuse to check a bag.

Aloha little nita!

No Blue Bible for me. Little Andy won't be getting any of my money for causing as much damage to the islands as the sugar lords.

We have rented a private home in Kohala Ranch a gated,cooperative, free range working cattle and horse ranch. It is a gift to return to this property. I will spend time cooking while overlooking our pool which overlooks ranch land and the passing barges.

Ridddle me this batgirl, if Costco sells local eggs, local fish, local meat, local flowers, How am I not supporting the community by making a quick stop while I'm down in that area? How is going to the supermarket or drugstore more supportive to small business? Besides the fact that rather then a miles journey it would be 8 miles up to the village and down or many more up to Waimea, where we would have to travel back down to check in at the lower main gate.

So many strong opinions on what I thought would be a simple fun thread.

Haven't visited the brick in a few years. The Island of Hawaii, and this home bit us.

Aloha

Stocking up is "dumb"?

Some of us can't afford to eat three meals a day (plus cocktails), after having shelled out for air and lodging and rental car.
Plus, I absolutely hate finding restaurants, waiting for seats,Q menus, ordering, eating, waiting for the bill, paying, the who!e waste of time and money.

Just a matter of personal preferences, sylvia. I consider it to be a huge waste of time to stand in a kitchen and cook when I'm in Hawaii, or to go to a grocery store unless absolutely necessary.

We don't eat out three meals a day. We usually have a breakfast buffet included in our lodging, or we buy breakfast/snack items if we have a kitchen.

Have never ever cooked a dinner while on vacation. I don't even like to cook at home. Ha

To each their own. No need to get personal about it.

I'm not the one who used the word "dumb" or assumes everyone has access to a buffet. There's nothing better than bringing home fresh ono or Maui and grilling it with fresh pineapple! Or slicing my own mango or papaya for breakfast, or taking a cooler of sandwiches/ veggies to the beach, or wherever.
Hardly standing in a kitchen, and much less time spent than in restaurants.
I don't at all care what you do.

Mahi

not Maui.
Or ahi:)

Oh, for pete's sake. Now I 'assume everyone has access to a buffet'. I did not even imply such a thing.

To each their own is what I said. I prefer fresh ono or mahi at a restaurant. My personal choice.

I think the purpose of a travel forum is to share our own experiences and preferences.

Certainly. My exception was to being told it's dumb to buy groceries.
(My fresh grilled ono, btw, is better than most restaurants and a fraction of the price. And I use the $ saved very well.)

Who's Pete? And why do people join this thread which is asking for provisioning advice to knock me down? If you don't believe in provisioning or cooking, then what's the point of being contrarian to someone who does enjoy cooking and watching the sunset with a million dollar home with a million dollar view instead of corralled into a restaurant with mixed results?

So I am dumb, and do not support the local economy because - why?

Try a pog with champagne for a nice sunset sip, Inakuai! Kohala ranch has wonderful ocean views.

with banana bread baking in the oven!!! Who cares if I leave a half pound of sugar and flour and my secret ingredients behind in the pantry?

Early morning pog mimosas with fresh baked bread sounds ok by me. No wasted vacation time there! ( i'll use fresh pineapple and roasted mac nuts)

And I'll drop some slices to the gate keeper/ guard! A local experience! LOL

Given your location, you might want to visit the sacrificial heiau near the Kamehameha birthplace. Very spooky, eerie even, but scenic (the iffy road from Upulo airstrip).
Adding that mimosa to my must-do list!

Ooops, didn't realize the F word is in there. Mea culpa.

POG is a juice.
P=pineapple
O= orange
G= guava

It is delish!!

I would stock up at Costco if you are planning to do a lot of /cooking eating at the condo. We were on the Big Island and had a nice kitchen but we ended up cooking and eating very little. Sometimes it ends up being a waste of money and food.

As far as coffee there are a ton of places to visit. We took a short tour of GreenWell Farms. It is one of the oldest coffee plantations still in business. The coffee is excellent and you can buy it at the farm. Check Costco - they may sell it there as well!



http://www.greenwellfarms.com/

Sylvia - is that a human sacrifice heiau? I did a quick search and see it was a war Heiau. If the road permits we will check it out. I notice your respect for the aina. When we only once visited Iao Needle on Maui I was very uncomfortable with the non reading tourists that went on and on about how beautiful it was. All I could feel was the bloodshed.

Thanks nana. I doubt we will do any coffee tours but will look for it. It's nice to have recommendations rather then roll the dice!

Thanks, Deb, I've never heard of POG. I remember buying those juices in cans, separately.

Gallon (plastic) jugs of POG are a good price at Costco, but are often on sale at Safeway, etc.

Yes, the Mo'okini heiau was a sacrificial site (one of the oldest in Hawaii, possibly built on a temple site dating back 1500 yrs), and is part of the Kohala Historical Sites State Monument. Although it looks like you could take Old Coast Guard Road then a gravel road right to it, they've blocked the gravel road, so bumping over the Upulo point road (take the route in front of the house there) is the way (barring rain). You will get chills.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kohala...State_Monument

<I've never heard of POG>

Then clearly you need to vacation more often in Hawaii, Tabernash2 :-) They even have it on the bar cart on the plane ride going over!!

aloha, suze

"Actually a few years ago, on Kauai, I helped an elder Auntie to her car and load her car. She gave me her lei as a sign of aloha."

Pretty impressive. It's not every day you get a lei in a Costco parking lot.

We drove about 1/4 mile down the road from the Opolu airstrip before turning back, deciding to walk to the heiau and Kamehameha's birthplace instead. It had been a couple days since it rained, but there were still deep, big puddles, so we didn't want to chance it in a rental car. Worth the walk, but carry water.

Of course there are tourists at farmers markets, Sylvia. But the vendors are mostly locals and usually happy to talk. Other locals too. We met one in the farmers market in Hawi last trip, who after talking with her for a few minutes offered to make a lei for us to use in a memorial ceremony we'd planned. Refused to take any money, and we're still in touch with her. Locals at Costco are typically in Costco mode, not really wanting to be there, and in a rush to finish their shopping and get out.

OK, neo, I sniggered.

Who else but a local would be a vendor, Face? Not sure what your point is.
(I think there's a romantic idea of Hawaii that simply hasn't existed since the 1920s. Whatever. The concept of Aloha for tourists seems to be a rapidly fading ideal.)