Big Island of Hawaii - Kailua-Kona

Big Island of Hawaii

Nightlife & Entertainment

Mixx Bistro Bar (King Kamehameha Mall, 329-7334
www.konawinemarket.com/mixx.shtml). This is currently the “It” bar for singles and other boisterous partiers looking for nightlife. There is entertainment each night on the 150-seat outdoor lanai, such as salsa dancing Thursday nights. The interior bar is air-conditioned and serves 20 wines by the glass, club drinks like mojitos, and tapas. Open daily “lunch to late.”

Captain Bean’s Dinner Cruise ( 329-2955, www.robertshawaii.com). Captain Bean’s is essentially a floating luau, with a sunset dinner and a Polynesian show. The cheese meter rating is high here, so come with the proper attitude –expect silliness and kitsch –and you’ll have a blast.After the captain snaps a photo of your group (available for $20 later), you climb aboard the Tamure, a large double hulled “canoe.” Entering the boat, it’s hard not to notice that the waitstaff consists of young people in traditional Polynesian attire, such as hula dresses for the girls, and ti leaf leis around ankles, heads, etc. These are the folks that energetically dance on the sunken tables around which dinner guests are seated, while an emcee modeled after Don Ho sings (yup, “Tiny Bubbles” is one of the first numbers) and narrates the show. He’ll rev up the crowd by teaching them to yell “Aloha” at him, or proposing a toast with Okole maluna (“Bottoms up”). You may wish that your ticket got you more than one free drink, but there is a cash bar after you’ve downed your weak mai tai (just fruit juice with a dark rum float).

After dining on garlic bread, salad, teriyaki beef and the sort of rubbery chicken made infamous by wedding receptions, the party really starts cranking – the dancers pull up members of the audience to dance with them on tables to Polynesian classics like “YMCA” and “CarWash.” There are occasionally slow songs for couples, providing the bizarre opportunity to dance on a table alongside one’s parents.

The fringe benefit of a cruise with Bean’s is that, during the winter, it doubles as a whale-watching cruise. Grab a spot at the rail and you might see numerous whales breaching, tail slapping and spouting. That’s the real show! Captain Bean’s Dinner Cruise sails daily except Monday. Tickets are $65.62 (tax incl.), and $37. 50 for kids four-11. A free shuttle to and from the pier is available from most hotels.

King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel ( 329-2911) offers one of the
island’s more unusual luaus, with performers portraying Hawaiian royalty
arriving at the luau in outrigger canoes. The hotel has such an emphasis
on Hawaiian culture and history, evident in its museum-like lobby, that
this is one of the more authentic luaus on the Big Island. The luau has the usual staples like an imu ceremony, Hawaiian buffet, singing and dancing. It is so popular that it takes place five nights a week on Tues-Fri and on
Sunday. Tickets are $65, or $29 for kids five-12.

Royal Kona Resort ( 329-3111) hosts a luau called “Lava, Legends and Legacies” each Monday, Wednesday and Friday, including the traditional imu ceremony, open bar, all-you-caneat buffet, and Polynesian revue capped by the requisite firetwirling. Adults $72 (show only $39), kids six-11 $27, five and under free.

Kona Bowl (75-5591 Palani Rd, 326-BOWL). If it’s raining, or you’re just looking for a bit of fun at a bowling alley, head to Kona Bowl! The alley has 24 lanes with automatic scoring, an attached diner and a cocktail lounge with a karaoke machine (if you aren’t into karaoke, you can take your drinks back into the bowling area). There’s also a small video arcade. Games are usually $4 for adults with a $2.75 shoe rental, but there are specials, such as buy two games, get one free on Tuesdays. Friday and Saturday nights, the “family entertainment center” hosts Cosmic Bowling starting at 9:30 pm Fridays and 8 pm Saturdays, with music and disco lights. (Then you pay by the hour – call ahead to reserve a lane for up to six people.) Open 9 am-10 pm Mon,Wed, Thurs, Sun, 9 am-11 pm Tues, 9 am-12:30 am Fri-Sat.

“One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.” – Bob Marley

Swing Zone (74-5562 Makala Boulevard, 334-1211). The only driving range in Kailua-Kona (though a municipal range is in the planning stages) also boasts batting cages, miniature golf, a putting green and six full golf holes. It’s an economical place to brush up on your golf game before heading to the Kohala courses and dropping some big coin. Open daily, 8 am-9 pm.

Makalapua Stadium Cinemas shows first-run Hollywood films in the Makalapua Shopping Center at Makala and Queen Ka`ahumanu. Showtimes at 329-4461.

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Stories of Hawaii provided courtesy of the Hawaiian Tourism Authority.