5 Best Places to Shop in South Kona, Big Island

This gem of a supermarket carries standard groceries and a surprisingly good selection of specialty items for such a small store. They also have excellent organic and Hispanic food aisles. Fresh poke is available by the pound at the butcher counter. This is probably the best place on the island for fresh fish, as the owner once fished with all his current suppliers and still maintains those connections. Grass-fed meats are plentiful too. Prices can be on the high side at times, balanced with good prices on other items.

Hawaiiana of all kinds, old and new (as the name suggests) is showcased in this clean, tiny antique shop. They carry vintage aloha shirts and clothing, vinyl LPs, jewelry, posters, toys, and more. You're bound to find an easily packable, special souvenir to take home. The owner is fun to talk with because he is so honest about his collections and what you are getting if you buy something.

Small on space but huge on sustainable quality, this shop carries the owners' full line of proprietary organic skincare products created mostly of botanicals grown on their farm. The store also stocks the organic macadamia nuts and coffee grown on 60 acres the proprietors own and manage in South Kona.

Carrying contemporary silk and rayon clothing for women, and aloha shirts for men, this venerable shop is in Kainaliu, near the Aloha Theatre, but there's also a branch at Keauhou Shopping Center. You can even buy 100% Kona coffee at the stores, which is grown on their family farm.

A favorite in Captain Cook, this Sunday farmers' market runs from 9 to 2 and offers great hot breakfast and lunch items, live music, produce from local farms, and artists selling their work. A limited version is open on Fridays.