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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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Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park

Every year we take the pooches to Volcano area for a few days and try out a new dog-friendly vacation rental (There are many, and here are just a handful of the ones we have checked out:  https://lavadogshawaii.com/dog-friendly-lodging/).  While the Hawai’i Volcanoes NP allows pets in the park, they are prohibited on any hiking trails…Bummer, I know, but it is for the protection of the federally-protected, endangered Nene goose, which nest in the Park.  We take our dogs there on one day during our trip, and we enjoy driving through the park, walking with them on leash from the visitor center parking lot toward the sulfur vents.  And then we drive and stop periodically in parking lots with overlooks, including the Jaggar Museum (which is CLOSED now, but dogs were allowed at the overlook only, not inside the museum). ( **PLEASE NOTE: Pets are no longer allowed at the end of Chain of Craters Road where Holei Sea Arch is located. There are many that rely on this area for...

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Hawaii Island Retreat (trail) – Kapa’au

Hawaii Island Retreat (trail) – Kapa’au

Directions: As you enter Kapa’au and pass Fig’s Mixed Plate on your left, drive past the guard rails and turn left at Maluhia Road.  It is a gravel road, and there will be a “Shoreline Public Access” and “Hawaii Island Retreat” signs.  Follow these signs.  Turn left at the “T” through the tunnel of trees, and turn right. Address: 54-250 Lokahi Road, Kapa’au, HI  96755 Website: http://www.hawaiiislandretreat.com/ About: Hawaii Island Retreat’s “50 acres of needled grove and valley trails include legendary council stones and native trees, planted generations ago by a Hawaiian kahuna and his beloved wife.”  The owners of Hawaii Island Retreat have graciously allowed LEASHED dogs and their owners to use their hiking and jogging trails.  The one time I visited, I was unable to locate any type of trail, but I’m sure it’s somewhere here, and it’s such a beautiful location, it’s nice to just stroll around.  KEEP IN MIND: Visitors come here for meditation and a healthy living retreat, so I suggest bringing only your quietest,...

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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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Dog Groomers

Dog Groomers

Doggy Detail 74-5599 Luhia St. D-6 Kailua-Kona HI 96740 (Old Industrial across from Ola Brew in Luhia Center II (middle level)) Book your grooming appointment through their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/doggydetailkona/ or by calling them at: (808) 731-7209. Lion cut for your feisty feline? Shaggy tabby cat shave down? Teddy bear cut for the pup? OH YES! Our skillful and talented stylist is ready to bring out the best features in your pet with our grooming services, be it a lion, tiger or bear, we can definitely help! Stylist and owner Daniela has over 16 years of grooming experience, her abilities are amazing, come see for yourself. She is able to provide your pets the best tailored services on the island as well as the comfort of knowing your pets are in the hands of professionals. Call them at 808-731-7209 for an appointment or book via facebook @doggydetailkona. Doggy Detail is a professional grooming salon and pet supply store in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. They are committed to using eco-friendly products to...

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Kohala Ranch Oceanview (2 rentals)

Kohala Ranch Oceanview (2 rentals)

Accommodations: On the same property, the owners rent out two very nice places: 1-bedroom, 1 bath guest house cottage; and a 2-bedroom apartment w/ hot tub Cost: $149/night (depending on time of year) + cleaning fee. The 2-bedroom apartment is $186/night (depending on time of year) + cleaning fee. Website: https://www.vrbo.com/402623 and https://www.vrbo.com/383020 Contact: Deborah and John at (808) 987-0277 Fence:  YES!  Beautifully, fully-fenced grassy yard immediately adjacent to where horses are kept, so keep this in mind! **Please note that since my review in 2015, it appears that the owner has made some improvements (including adding a hot tub!) to these units, so there may be some slight differences from the photos below.  I believe that the unit featured below has been turned into the 2-bedroom apartment with the hot tub. My Review: My friends from the mainland stayed here with their Golden Retriever, “Toko,” for 6 weeks in February 2015 and absolutely loved it.  I stopped by one afternoon to check it out and instantly fell in love with the apartment...

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