Hawai'i the Big Island - Hawaii - page 404

( 962-0808; 35-2704 Mamalahoa Hwy; burgers $4-7, plates $8-10; 8am-7pm Wed & Thu, to
8pm Fri & Sat, to 3pm Sun) Nostalgia reigns in this wonderful homage to Elvis, Marilyn and
the boppin' '50s. Built in a historic plantation house, the old-fashioned counter and
booths set the mood for burgers (made with local beef) and shakes. The menu includes
island favorites - fried ono (wahoo) fillets with mashed potatoes, chili bowls, and pan-
cake and egg breakfasts. Live music Friday and Saturday.
HAMAKUA ZIPLINES
Ziplines are spreading like bamboo on the Hamakua Coast. So which one should
you choose?
Zip Isle Zipline Adventures ( 888-947-4753, 963-5427; www.zipisle.com ; $99-147;
zips at 9:30am, 12:30pm & 2:30pm) A good choice for kids and anxious first-timers.
There are seven gentle zips, including a dual line, and a 150ft-long suspension
bridge. Located at World Botanical Gardens, to which you get free entry after-
wards.
Skyline EcoAdventures Akaka Falls ( 888-878-8400; www.zipline.com ; 28-1710
Honomu Rd; $179; zips at 10am, 11am, 2pm & 3pm) Skyline has the single best zip and
it's a jaw dropper. The seven zips on this course get progressively longer and higher
up until you find yourself sailing directly over a 250ft waterfall on an extraordinary
3,350ft ride - the best single zip on the Big Island.
Umauma Falls & Zipline Experience ( 930-9477; http://umaumaexperience.com ;
31-313 Old Mamalahoa Highway; $197; zips at 10am, 11am, 1pm & 2pm) The most con-
sistently thrilling. None of its nine zips has the grandeur of Skyline's magnificant
climax, but they don't take any baby steps, cross overlotsof waterfalls, and one
makes it over 2000ft.
For other ziplines see North Kohala.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Hakalau & Around
It's a stretch to call this a town, but there's an active residential community, which is now
a mix of old-timers and newcomers. Around New Year's Eve, hundreds flock here for the
annual mochi pounding festival at Akiko's Buddhist B&B.