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Ruff It – BIG ISLAND

Ruff It – BIG ISLAND

Lucky we live Hawaii, eh? But where do we take our dogs for hiking, playing at the beach, or strolling in a park? Click on the links below to see descriptions and photos and what you need to know before you go: NORTH KOHALA Waikoloa Beach – Anaeho’omalu Bay (“A” Bay) Waikoloa Village Dog Park (In progress!) Waikoloa Village Post Office Trail Waikoloa Village Pu’u Hinai Cinder Cone Trail Puako Beach Pu’ukohola Heiau National Historic Site Kawaihae Harbor Beach Landing Shipping Docks Waimea Nature Park (Ulu La’au) and trails Mana Road (Waimea) Ala Kahakai Trail (south of Spencer Beach Park) – **PLEASE READ UPDATE** Pololu Trail KONA 1871 Trail to Ki’ilae Village (from Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park) Central Bark Dog Park(s) (Holualoa/Keauhou Mauka) Dog Beach (Honokohau Harbor) Kaloko Fishpond at Honokohau National Park Honua’ula Forest Reserve Makaula O’oma Tract (Kaloko) Ka’awaloa Trail (Kealakekua Bay) Paws University (Yappy Hour) – Most Sundays (10-11:30 am – Small Shy Dogs; 11:30 am-1:00 pm – Big Puppies/Shy Dogs; 1:00-2:30 pm – Big Dogs) –...

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Dog-Friendly Lodging on the Big Island

Dog-Friendly Lodging on the Big Island

Traveling with your dog can be a lot of fun until you try finding a hotel that will welcome you and your pooch. To make it a little bit easier, I’ve scoured the island for the most dog-friendly accommodations, and put together this list. Our Dog-Friendly Lodging directory lists those establishments that welcome dogs, along with their detailed pet policies and fees. This is no recycled list of dog-friendly hotels that is so commonplace on the web. Each of these establishments has been individually contacted to inquire about their policies toward dogs, and I have found a few who I haven’t contacted, but their listings clearly state that pets will be considered.  In your travels, if you should come upon some dog-friendly establishment not listed here, or one that has changed their policies, please contact me and let me know. I try hard to keep this list updated on a monthly basis, but as you can imagine, these policies tend to change without notice, so be sure to contact the establishment before...

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Onomea Trail

Onomea Trail

Probably the shortest most scenic dog-friendly hike on the Big Island, Onomea Trail is part of the Na Ala Hele Hawaii Trail & Access System. This is an easy hike that is accessed from the 4-Mile Scenic route by Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden on the Hamakua coast. The 4-Mile Scenic route has two access points from the highway (between the 7 and 8 mile markers, and again on the north near the 11 mile marker), if you miss the first turn.  Limited roadside parking only (Make sure to park completely off the road). Definitely worth checking out! .6 miles round trip, paved asphalt until you get near the ocean (Kukilu Bay). Very hot, humid today, mostly shaded though. Dogs must remain on leash at all times. (NOTE: Donkey Trail is part of a Hawaiian Kingdom government cart road used for hauling goods from the landing at Onomea.  From what we can tell, the only way to access it is by walking down the asphalt trail and continuing across to...

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Cafe Il Mondo – Honokaa

Cafe Il Mondo – Honokaa

**NEW LOCATION** Where: 45-3580 A Mamane Street, Honokaa (near the Honokaa People’s Theatre) Call: (808) 775-7711 Website: https://www.facebook.com/Cafe-il-Mondo-104991656210238/ Open Monday through Saturday (closed Sundays) from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m; 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Review: After a long five year wait, as of May 2016, Cafe il Mondo has opened a BEAUTIFUL, newly-constructed restaurant in the heart of Honokaa town.  They still serve the same amazing pizzas (Sergio’s pizza with pesto…oh my!) and calzones, but have expanded to seafood and pork specials, and they are all amazing and delicious!  Their pizza is baked in a stone oven, and their ingredients are all fresh.  I love everything I have eaten there!  Also new is gluten free pasta (for any dish except for lasagna), they now accept credit cards, AND they have a full bar.  Cafe il Mondo has several tables in front of their restaurant that are completely covered (shaded).  We eat here once a week, and on every other Wednesday evening from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., an acoustic guitar trio from the band “Big...

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Hilo Shark’s Coffee (Honomu)

Hilo Shark’s Coffee (Honomu)

Where: 28-1672 Old Mamalahoa Hwy., Honomu (near Akaka Falls (NOTE: Dogs are not permitted at the Falls!)) Call: (808) 963-6706 Website:http://www.hilosharkscoffee.com/ Open Monday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.; Sunday from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Margie and I had a “ruff” meeting here in May 2015 with our friends, Paulla Speegle (owner of Aloha Pawz Dog & Cat Boutique in Hilo) and just loved it! Not only do they offer great Hawaii-grown coffee, but they have breakfast, lunch, and sell locally-made chocolate, coffee, chocolate tea, and honey!  Margie kept peeking in through the back screened door to see what was going on. The back patio is nice and cool and shaded…perfect for you and your leashed pups.  Dogs permitted in the back patio area only…and can be accessed easily around the side of the...

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Kalopa State Recreation Area Horse Trail

Kalopa State Recreation Area Horse Trail

(The Horse Trail is 2.6 miles ONE WAY, so you have to come back the same way you went.) Where: This Park is just past the village of Honoka’a on the Hawai’i Belt Road, Hwy. 19 (Mamalahoa Hwy.). Travel either 15 miles east of Waimea or about 40 miles north of Hilo, and find the well-marked turn for Kalōpā State Park on the mauka (uphill) side of the road between the 39 and 40 mile markers. Keep following signs for the Park as you drive uphill on paved roads.  Upon entering the Kalopa Recreation Area, park immediately to the left in the small dirt lot where you will see the “Hunter Access” sign.  You will see a narrow trail off to the left of the sign. *Important Note: **The Horse Trail is the only Kalopa trail that allows dogs.**  It is frequently used by hunters for pig hunting with their dogs although it is common to see everyday hikers with their non-hiking dogs.  On the evening of Labor Day 2015, we saw...

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