To clarify, dive as in hole in the wall type of restaurant vs. scuba or snorkle! DH and I will be visiting the Big Island for the first time 9-20 to 9-27. We always like to hit the local favorites almost more than the really nice spots! We are staying at the Fairmont Orchid but plan on trying to see as much as possible. Breakfast lunch or dinner and we love any and all ethnic foods and just plain good grub!

The Manago Hotel in Captain Cook. Fresh fish and the best pork chops I've ever eaten. Cash only I believe, a real local favorite. It's been around since the old plantation days.

If you go to Volcano NP the Thai restaurant in Volcano is FABULOUS. Thai Thai is the name.

South Kona--
Coffee Shack for breakfast/lunch-between mile marker 109 and 108 makai highway 11. Sit on the deck--fabulous view of Kealakakua Bay

Adriana's -- lunch only Mon-Fri--lower level--Kealakakua Ranch Center (where Choice Mart is located) south of Captain Cook—Mexican and Salvadoran (mild) food--very fresh and cheap (cash only)--a few table where you can sit outside or take the food and go to Ke'ei Beach

Teshima's in Honalo--family style Japanese. Inexpensive. Cash only.

Kailua Kona--
Killer Tacos--The kalua pork burrito was huge and delicious (the restaurant is located in the Old Industrial Area on Luhia St in the strip mall where Tyke's laundromat is)

Honokaa--Tex Drive In http://texdrivein.com/abouttex.html freshly fried malasadas -- yummy also have some tasty wraps and good burgers--eat with the locals--inexpensive

Hawi--
Bamboo Cafe http://www.bamboorestaurant.info/restaurant.htm--I loooove the kalua pork and cabbage--and the potstickers

Waimea--
Huli Sue's on highway 19 heading toward Honoka'a--open lunch and dinner--bar-be-que and other very fresh dishes

Na'alehu--Hana Hou--plate lunches, sandwiches, lilikoi lemonade, pie--inexpensive

Pahoa--
Paolo's Bistro right on the main street--fabulous Italian cooked by a Tuscan chef and BYOB

More expensive--

Ke'ei Cafe in Kainaliu--the food is fresh and delicious--service is sometimes a little ragged--we always make an early reservation--6pm--so we're there before they get really busy. We have never been disappointed.
No credit cards. Make reservations for dinner. Also open for lunch 808-328-8451

Kenichi Pacific http://www.restauranteur.com/kenichi/
great sushi, sashimi-delicious seafood entrees--reservations a good idea--pricy but worth it

In Waimea--Merriman's http://www.merrimanshawaii.com/ Hawaiian regional cuisine (Peter Merriman was one of the first to do it) expensive--in lovely up country Waimea--it's always cooler there than in Kailua or Kohala

Daniel Thiebaut's (I think now called Chef Daniel's Seafood Cafe) http://www.danielthiebaut.com/ in a historic building in Waimea--dinner only I think

Wowie!

Thanks to all. I can see that my pre-vacation starvation diet will be undone shortly! I really do think we like these types of places better than all of the fine dining experiences we have had. After booking flights and hotels the next thing my mind becomes pre-occupied with is what and where to eat!!! I already have my Oahu lineup complete for the last 3 days of the trip...shrimp truck, Okonomiyaki Chibo in the Royal Hawaiian Center, drinks at the Banyan Tree bar...ummmmm!

Just to add a couple of my favs:

Kona Brewing Company

Cafe Pesto in Kawaihae (and Hilo)

I am getting so excited, can't wait to chow down! 2 more days!