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These guys are friends of our host Mike and we were able to go along for a visit and to buy some of their famous Kona coffee...
It's amazing really but the entire 'factory' is sited in the space underneath the modest sized family home - such a small boutique operation!
The main thing that sets them aside from some of the larger competition is the fact that Langensteins guarantees that each of their coffee roasts is 100% Kona beans - most 'Kona' coffee sold in the tourist shops these days has been 'watered down' to prey on tourist ignorance, so if you see words like 'blend' on the tourist shop coffee bags, you can be guaranteed that you are getting less than full Kona. Often the Kona bean content is less than 50%!
It is honest hard working operations comitted to quality produce that should be encouraged to prosper, so why not buy some of their coffee over the internet...
They also produce high quality Macademia Nuts and if you're in the area, you can even visit their plantation.
What to buy: They roast to order with freshness guaranteed...
"Kona Coffee is reknowned worldwide as an Arabica bean of rich flavor, exceptional aroma, yet smooth taste. Langenstein Farm roasts three distinctly different roasts to please a wide spectrum of tastes.
Medium Roast
The mildest in flavor, yet highest in caffeine is the Medium Roast. A full brown color with a slight oily sheen to the bean.
Vienna Roast
The Vienna, or Dark Roast is nicely full-bodied, with a fair amount of caffeine. The bean color is dark brown and spots of oil on the bean are visable.
French Roast
French Roasted Kona is very rich in flavor, but quite close to being decaffeinated--not with any process--the caffeine is roasted out. French Roast beans are quite oily and dark; popularly used for espresso, cappuccino etc."
We had the medium roast and well recommend it!
What to pay: Check the website
Updated Apr 4, 2011
Address: Langenstein Estate Farm, Honaunau, Hawaii
Phone: 1-800-621-5365
This is an upscale shopping center with some very nice stores and art galleries. There are two shoppings centers, one is called Queens' Marketplace and the other is Kings' Shops. They are very close together and both centers are very nice. There is a Roy's Restaurant at Kings' Shops.
One of the art galleries we thought was very nice was Third Dimension. They carried some intriguing bronze statues by artist, Nano Lopez. Another gallery, Genesis, had Dale Chihuly glass art.
At the Queens' Marketplace, I found a great store called Island Gourmet Markets. There was even wine tasting within the store. Pre-packaged sandwiches and many Hawaiian souveniers. Turns out this is just a fancy ABC store. I enjoyed it anyway, it was much bigger and with a produce and grocery area, too.
Updated Oct 6, 2010
Address: Waikoloa Beach Drive from HWY 19
Phone: 877.WAIKOLOA
Website: http://www.waikoloabeachresort.com/index.php/big-island-shopping/
The main shopping area in Kailua-Kona is on Alii Drive for quite a stretch. Lots of shops and restaurants. It's a bit touristy for my taste but did see some art galleries that were interesting. The farmers market is nearby (also on Alii Drive) but open from Wednesday through Sunday.
The cruise ships like to dock at Kailua-Kona, so many of the tourists come from the ships.
There is also an interesting church located in this area. Should check it out!
Written Oct 6, 2010
My boyfriend and I really enjoy drinking good wine. Typically, the supermarkets tend to carry wines that aren't so complex. So, it's nice to find a wine shop that might carry more than a few varietals of wine.
A quick browse of this market's website on Zinfandels shows they carry a Dashe Cellars 2007 Zin. Ummm, ummm! I've had this before and it's very good! Priced reasonably, too!
Opened Monday- Saturday 9am-8pm, Sunday 10am-6pm
Good thing I found this wine shop!
Written Jun 22, 2010
Address: 74-5450 Makala Blvd. # 104, Kailua Kona, HI 96740
Phone: 808.329.9400
Website: http://www.konawineclub.com/results?catid=1091&nobounce=1&id=Hq3J9IGE
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Even if you do not want to shop for plants it is worth a stop.
These Gardens are more or less a warehouse filled with orchids of all species. Everything is ready for shipping or for sale. You can buy seeds and cuttings for coffee plants, papayas, guavas, hibiscus and plumerias.
They have a huge gift store too.
Open Daily 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. HST
Entrance is for free.
What to buy: I bought two orchids and they are doing fine here at home.
What to pay: They have small orchids for 4$ and they had as well one for over 20 000$ that won some awards.
Written Apr 13, 2009
Address: on Highway 11
Phone: Toll free (888) 967-6669
Website: http://www.akatsukaorchid.com
Okay for all you condo stayers your in luck...there is a Costco about 3-5 miles north of Kona. I just like any other Costco on the mainland. It's got all the food you need, bathing suits, just in case, clothes and electronics. If you want to pick up a vollyball for fun they have that too.
What to pay: The cost of items in the Hawaii Costco are more than on the mainland, but still cheaper then some of the other stores.
Written Aug 1, 2008
Greenwell Farms is a coffee plantation that is in the Kailua-Kona region. Very good coffee, prices are a little high but you have to remember that you are buying Kona coffee.
What to buy: Personally, I would recommend the Estate Blend. However, they have samples of all of their selections so feel free to pick the one you like best!
What to pay: Somewhere between $20 and $40 for a 1 pound bag.
Written Dec 2, 2006
Phone: 1-808-323-2862
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One of the benefits of renting a condo is that you can cook your own food and save on the cost of eating out. We had a few meals at restaurants but we sure like hanging out on the lanai. So I did my own survey of grocery prices and found KTA in the Keauhou Shopping Center the cheapest.
Not very scientific (and a strange way to spend vacation time) but compared the price of milk, beer (Kona of course), mangoes, bread, and steak (T-Bone of course). KTA was cheaper than Safeway on all items. WalMart had some cheap dry goods but they just don't carry the rest.
I couldn't bring myself to spend time at K-Mart - sorry.
Updated Jun 24, 2006
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Discount fabric warehouse (taken from www.gotfabric.com)
E Komo Mai!
We have multiple locations in Hawaii and California. GotFabric.com is the online division of Discount Fabric Warehouse, a wholesale and retail operation. Our motto is "Discount Prices Everyday for Everyone."
We have a large selection of these fabrics and items:
Hawaiian & Tropical
Oriental
Quilting
Batik
Rayon
Novelty Prints
Themes
Our hard to find Notions:
Coconut, Wooden & Bamboo Buttons
Bamboo Handles
Hawaiian, Oriental and Quilting Patterns
Our Specialty Fabrics include:
Jacquards & Brocades
Spandex & Slinky
Checkout our Outlet Store for:
$1 & Less items
Clearance Table
Remnants
What to buy: all sorts of fabrics
Updated Sep 21, 2005
Address: 74-5605 Luhia St
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Kailua-Kona and Hilo are the primary shopping districts, but other quaint small towns offer a treasure trove of rare gifts. They are alive with small antique shops, museums, bookstores, art galleries, cafes and bakeries, each offering their own unique shopping flavor and sense of Old Hawaii.
For example, the South Kona towns of Holualoa, Kainaliu, Kealakekua, Captain Cook, and Honaunau reflect the flavor of Coffee Country. The harbor town of Kawaihae has a shopping center. Waimea is steeped in upcountry Paniolo history. The northern towns of Hawi, Kapaau, and Honoka'a take you back to the island's history of sugar cane plantations. Volcano Village is known as an artist's colony, inspired by Madam Pele's volcanic activity at Kilauea and Mauna Loa.
Just outside Kailua-Kona is a shopping center with a grand view of tranquil Keauhou Bay. The Keauhou Shopping Center is home to 35 shops and restaurants, most of them unique to the Big Island. Its merchants offer a variety of one-of-a-kind items, some only available at the center itself.
In newer Waikoloa, Golf Country, the Kings Shops offers upscale shopping, including art galleries, boutiques, and designer stores. The large Kohala Coast resorts all boast wonderful high-end shops and galleries, with easy access and free parking.
The Hele On Bus offers long distance transportation between Kona and Hilo. Hilo Hattie, one the state's most well-known Hawaiian-style stores, offers daily a free shopping shuttle from all hotels and condominiums in the Waikaloa, Kohala, Kona and Hilo areas. In Kailua-Kona, Island RV offers shuttle service to most Kailua shopping centers. The Alii Shuttle runs between the Lanihau and the Keauhou Shopping Centers. The Kona Coast Shuttle operates between the Kohala Coast Resorts and Kona Inn Shopping Village.
(from www.101thingstodo.com)
What to buy: LOCAL TEXTILES and QUILTS, Kona coffee and macadamia nuts; WOWEN lauhala and coconut Leaves with hats, bowls and mats; orchids, anthuriums, and other exotic blooms
Written Sep 21, 2005
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