Favorite Places: Naalehu, Hawaii

Dear Friend,

Naalehu is not your typical city in Hawaii. There aren't any hotels lined up on the beaches, late night luaus, or even tourists bustling around at shopping malls. Instead, Naalehu is a place where you would find locals fishing at 4 in the morning or climbing a palm tree to retrieve a coconut. To put  it simply, it's a chill place. Although it may not be the first attraction that comes to mind for tourists, it is where Catherine's mom grew up and one of the top vacation spots for the Kuo's. Well, you couldn't even call it a vacation spot- it's really a second home. Located at the southern tip of the Big Island, this extremely small town consists of one school, one church, one library, one grocery store, etc. If you ever make it down to this sweet old place, be sure to visit the following:

Hana Hou 
This is the main restaurant in Naalehu. Embracing home style cooking, this restaurant never fails to please. There are classic meal plates as well as new specials every day- each with their own island flavor. Whether that is the papaya salad dressing or the simple macaroni salad, you are guaranteed a taste of local foods. However, this restaurant is most famous for their pies. When you first walk in, you are greeted with chocolate pies, banana cream pies, coconut pies...anything your heart desires. But lesson of the day: do not leave this place without trying the macadamia nut cream pie. It is to die for.

Punalu'u Black Sand Beach 
The Punalu'u Black Sand Beach is one of the most beautiful and family friendly beaches in the world. You can take a dip in the warm water or watch the sunset at the evening barbecue. You will definitely enjoy these typical "beach-y" activities, but one of the highlights at this beach are the sea turtles. While walking on the beach, you'll come across turtles sprawled out all over the place. They are extremely friendly and welcoming to strangers. These turtles are as chill as Naalehu.

Swap Meets 
Swap Meets are essentially local farmer's markets that happens a few times a week. At these little booths, you'll find some of the freshest fruit and vegetables grown by the locals. Often times you can sample mangoes, coconuts, papayas- basically any tropical fruit you can think of. The families who run these booths are absolute sweethearts and are so, so, so happy when visitors arrive.

Punalu'u Bakery  
Best. bakery. ever. There is no doubt about this. The Punalu'u bakery specializes in sweet bread. As young kids, Catherine and her sister, Emilee, would often walk from their Grandparent's home to this bakery almost every day of the summer. They were always the first in line for the freshly baked bread. Then, in the afternoon, they would return to get a cup of the bakery's famous macadamia nut ice cream. All this dessert goodness and sugar was probably not the best thing for Catherine and Emilee, but it was (and still is) totally worth it!

As you can see, Naalehu is very simple. It is also small enough that you can't really keep a secret without someone finding out. Everyone knows everyone...well, everyone is related to each other. It's really one big family...literally. There have been many incidents where Catherine has been at a local swap meet and is suddenly bombarded by all her aunts and uncles she had never met before. It never hurts to gain more family and friends, right?

Aloha and Mahalo! 

Yours truly,
Kylie and Catherine