Local Grindz
PLEASE NOTE: Current Hawaii state health code interpretations do not allow animals (except service animals) in restaurants and bars, so keep this in mind that we have a lot of animal-loving restaurant owners (nearly 50 restaurants listed below!) willing to bend the rules. The Hawaii State Department of Health was asked in 2010 and 2012 to reconsider their interpretation of the existing administrative rules that prohibit well-behaved dogs and their owners from dining together especially in outdoor eating areas. 2013 presented a new Bill, which can be read here: https://www.hawaiianhumane.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/HB186_.pdf Unfortunately, these bills did not pass.
3 Things You Can Do To Help
• Be respectful and appreciative of restaurants who support this and either *call ahead to make sure circumstances haven’t changed or if they have a separate entrance they’d like you to enter through, or if you can’t call ahead, please first go in without your dog and ask if it is okay. (*I have found that they may be apprehensive to tell you over the phone.) Management greatly appreciates it.
• Learn what was proposed at the 2012 and 2013 and 2019 legislature.
• Let policy makers know you support restaurants right to choose (State Representatives Cindy Evans (previous Representative) and Richard Creagan support this Bill).
Please follow the Etiquette Tips listed below when choosing to bring your dog to a restaurant. While not official, the restaurants in this section will permit your well-behaved dog.
Dogfriendly.com’s Etiquette Tips for Dogs at Outdoor Restaurants
- Make sure your dog is well-behaved around other people and especially children.
- Leash your four-legged friend and keep him or her from socializing with other diners or employees unless welcomed.
- Try to keep your dog close to your table or chair so they are not in other’s path. Dogs are not allowed on the chairs or tables.
- Bring your own doggie bowl or ask the waiter for a paper or plastic bowl or cup for water if necessary. Pets are not permitted to eat or drink out of restaurant glasses or dishes unless they are disposable.
- Remember to tie your dog to a heavy object or your chair (while you’re sitting down) and not a table. A dog tied to a table can result in spilled drinks or food if he or she is strong enough to make the table move.
- Always politely ask first before you walk in to make sure an establishment allows (*or continues to allow) dogs at their outdoor tables. *Circumstances change, we have found!
- TIP WELL! Thank your server and management for allowing your pup to be there. If my server goes out of their way to accommodate our pups, I have no problem giving them a 50% tip.
**THESE ARE OUTDOOR TABLES ONLY! If you must order inside first, we suggest having someone hold your leashed dog outside.**
NORTH KOHALA
A Bay’s Island Grill (Kings’ Shops)
Big Island Brewhaus (Kamuela/Waimea)
Cafe Mamane (Kamuela/Waimea) (CLOSED)
Country Grounds Coffee Co. (Kamuela/Waimea) – drive through specialty coffee – They serve Puppuccinos!
The Fish & The Hog
Gill’s Lanai (Kapaau)
Island Lava Java (Waikoloa Village)
Kamuela Kitchen & Coffee Bar(CLOSED, but reopened as Cafe Mamane, but closed again. *sad face*)
Kohala Village Hub Pub (Hawi) (The “Hub Pub” restaurant is closed due to a fire, but their Inn remains open and available for booking overnight dog-friendly accommodations.)
Lava Lava Beach Club (Waikoloa Beach)
Mi Ranchito (Hawi)
Minnie’s (Kapaau) – (Unconfirmed by us if dog-friendly, but have heard they allow dogs on lanai)
Nanbu Courtyard (Kapaau) – If your dog doesn’t like cats, we suggest going somewhere else!
Pudgee Panda (Waikoloa – in the new Waikoloa Plaza) – Frozen desserts. They even have a lactose-free Pudgee pup cup topped with a dog treat!
Pueo’s Osteria (Waikoloa) – Must make dinner reservations ahead of time and inform them your pup will be dining with you. Only one pup allowed at a time. Dogs must enter outdoor patio area through side latched gate.
Under The Bodhi Tree (Mauna Lani Shops) (CLOSED – but reopening sometime soon!!)
KONA
Da Shark Shack (previously called Chillin’ On The Bay)
Papa Konas (NO LONGER DOG-FRIENDLY – Management informed us on 10/24/2020)
Dolphin Spit Saloon (unconfirmed by us if dog-friendly, but have heard from many who bring their dogs)
Gecko Girlz Shave Ice (Ask for their FREE puppuccino…with any order!)
Kai Eats + Drinks
Kamana Kitchen (Indian Cuisine)
Kona Coffee and Tea (2 locations!)
Rebel Kitchen (NO LONGER DOG-FRIENDLY)
Spinners Kailua Cantina
Willie’s Hot Chicken (Kona)
HILO/PUNA
Ola Brew (Dogs allowed on outdoor patio only; no food service, but can send human inside to order beers and food which will be delivered to you outside)
Pandamonia’s Paleta Palace (located at Alii Ice – 21 Banyan Drive next to Liliuokalani Park) – Serves doggy popsicles for $1 (flavors: chicken, beef, p-nut butter banana!)
Pineapples – Island Fresh Cuisine
Pudgee Panda (Puna Kai Shopping Center)
Puna Chocolate (now has a bar, and we don’t mean chocolate bar!) – 277 Keawe St., Hilo
Tabaraka (Lebanese food truck located makai of Hilo Library)
SOUTH/VOLCANO
Cafe Ono (Volcano Village)
Eagle’s Lighthouse Cafe (used to be called Cafe Ohia) (Volcano Village)
Hilo Coffee Mill (Mountain View…on your way to Volcano) AND their Saturday farmers’ market!
Punalu’u Bake Shop (unconfirmed by us if dog-friendly, but have heard from people who bring their dog)
Volcano Winery (no longer allowed inside; outdoor picnic area only)
HAMAKUA COAST
Aulani Asian Cafe (Honokaa) – CLOSED (For sale though, so paws are crossed that it remains dog-friendly!)
Cafe il Mondo (Honokaa)
Tex Drive-In (Honokaa)
Surf Break Cafe (Honomu)
Know of any dog-friendly food establishments?
Please let me know at rhonda@lavadogshawaii.com
Mahalo!
