Shopping Hilo and Kona

[mdand3boys]

Originally Posted by JoDan

Does Hilo have "hot" running water?

Warm and hot are available. Just hope you don't need COLD running water though.

[zooando]

Having recently visited the BI and having stopped at a Walmart, I wanted to let the OP know there's a Walmart near Kona as well.

[hotzcatz]

Yup, and there is a K-Mart and Target in the Kona district as well as the only Costco. I guess they shop more over there or something.

[geminicricket]

Originally Posted by JoDan

Does Hilo have "hot" running water?

I think you have to add your own heat, possibly from Mr. Sol!!!!

[hotzcatz]

Just in case some folks are wondering, I think the original "running water" reference was that Hilo has County water and you don't have to catch rainfall and pump it from a catchment tank like many of the areas outside of Hilo have to do. Also, the water isn't really cold when it comes out of the tap, not like it is in the mainland where the ambient temperature is much colder than here. To get cold water, we have to refrigerate it. Just one more little difference of living on an island instead of on the mainland.

[JoDan]

Originally Posted by hotzcatz

Just in case some folks are wondering, I think the original "running water" reference was that Hilo has County water and you don't have to catch rainfall and pump it from a catchment tank like many of the areas outside of Hilo have to do. Also, the water isn't really cold when it comes out of the tap, not like it is in the mainland where the ambient temperature is much colder than here. To get cold water, we have to refrigerate it. Just one more little difference of living on an island instead of on the mainland.

Thanks........I definitely misunderstood the reply!

[hotzcatz]

Eyaup, we are so far outside many folks' databases that there isn't even a common starting point. Around here most folks know exactly where their water comes from and how it gets to the faucet. If it's not coming out of the faucet, they know how to fix it, too. In many places on the island folks are in charge of their own water systems, septic systems, roadways, figuring out how to get the communication signals to reach their lot, etc., etc. And this is in the "sub-divisions" which is confusing when discussing things with mainland folks since in their minds "sub-division" sort of automatically means somewhere all the utilities are already in place.

Your question is about shopping and we've been trying to answer although we aren't sure what you already know about the various areas on the island or what you are expecting. The amount of shopping choices has increased a lot since the mid-eighties, although we still lack a lot of the mainland chain stores. We just don't have the population base to support that many retail outlets. Well, we sort of have a population base, but they don't get paid enough to support that many stores so most of the stores we have are selling basics or high end stuff to folks who don't get their income from around here.

[JoDan]

Don't know a lot about the shopping areas. Have spent one week on the island five years ago. Planning an exended stay this time, two months in Naalehu. Thinking of flying into Hilo, just not that far along yet. Hoping to buy some recreational items to use during ourt stay.

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

We usually fly in to Kona so that we can stop by the Costco and stock up. Can buy recreational items at Wal Mart (in both Kona and Hilo), Sports Authority (in Kona), or even Snorkel Bob's (in Kona). Actually, Costco has snorkel equipment, too. Yes, I'm making some assumptions here. I'm sure there will be posters more familiar with the Hilo side who will throw in some suggestions.

There are two new markets, aka small grocery stores, in Ocean View. They have pretty high prices, but they do run weekly specials that are good. We have the Farmer's Market in Naalehu on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

We live in Discovery Harbour, near Naalehu. Feel free to pm if you have any other questions about the area.