Marcy's is a Mini-Filipino store off the highway. You would never know from the outside looking in…read morebut they have a variety of great hard to find filipino products that may not be found at the bigger markets. I came in looking for specific pancit noodles and they had it! They also have an awesome selection of frozen goods like squid, prawns, and fish, that I was surprised to see in the back of the store at the frozen aisle. Everything in it was amazing and awesome! Even the variety of produce like long beans, fern, and green leafy types were surprising! Staff is friendly and prices are a bit cheaper on some products compared to the bigger stores! Cant wait to re-shop when we're back on this side of the island!

I have been hearing about Wilson's Shave Ice in Hilo for years ....it's my bf's FAVORITE shave ice…read moreplace in the world! So of course when I finally get to Hilo, we had to try it. Unfortunately for us, on our last day in Hilo when we went to try it Wilson's was inexplicably closed....whhhaaattt????!!!! With my sweet tooth still craving something tasty and my bf needing to mend his shocked heart over Wilson's, I suggested we get some Halo Halo. Instantly his eyes brightened and we jumped in the car to head to Marcy's Variety Store. Off of Makaala Street in an inconspicuous block, we pulled up to Marcy's Variety Store. Note to the wise, it's next door to a small Filipino bakery that also serves Halo Halo but they can't beat Marcy's. We ordered two, and the gal handed us over two gi-normous cups of Halo Halo. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/ojNY69j2gfwMI0er0YHpdA?select=bNnQqEpE-Y8WtQ6iTjWUMQ All kinds of tropical fruits and jellies dancing around the cup swirled with evaporated milk---all of this goodness is topped off with crushed ice and a heaping scoop of ube/vanilla ice cream. YUM!!!!!!!! And although my poor honey didn't get his Wilson's, he looked pretty happy enjoying his Halo Halo. (And my sweet tooth thanked me for it too!)

Everything is amazing! Parking - awesome…read moreStaff - super friendly Food - omg, delish And while you wait, browse the crack seed area and buy some snacks! Love this place!!!

Crack seed. For us…read morelocals in Hawai'i, these snacks were childhood staples. The crack seed store, a classic place where vibes of nostalgia are generated every time I walk into one. 'Cause I grew-up with li hing mui and arare. There's a small number of locally-owned crack seed shops on the Big Island of Hawai'i and in Hawai'i in general. This is one of them, the "local-style candy store" for an island boy like me. I enter 5-Spice, located in East Hawai'i after the intersection of Kilauea Ave and W Puainako St, heading south. I remember frequenting this business when it used to be at Puainako Town Center. Their popularity over the years gave them the ability to move to a larger space. Now independently located in their own building with ample parking. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Would I be able to control myself, holding onto what's desired without adding anything extra? It's always impossible for me to do so. Everytime. Yummy preserved items in large display jars, others placed in vacuum sealed bags. All priced by-the-ounce. I become curious, wanting to taste it again. I go to my favorites, seeking them first while browsing through the visual display of many others. Cracked seed goodness on one side, bagged candies and sweets on the other. I've seen this all before yet, I stand still with the desire to place it all in my hands. And I sure do, my hands are full. I mail them to the U.S. mainland in care packages, travel to the neighbor-islands as omiyage, and personally enjoy them at work or at home as snacks. They make great gifts for friends and coworkers too. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Let's talk about food, where mouth-watering plates and yummy burgers are prepared. Bentos are packed to-go on the countertop. Offering an extensive menu for a take-out, all made to enjoy outside on picnic tables or elsewhere. Daily specials are available along with catering + platters too. Front service by the team at the counter is pleasant, attentive. Gratitude is always extended for every purchase. Comfortable, courteous, welcoming. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ "Meat Jun Plate" A light egg batter and thinly sliced beef served in an upscale fashion due to care in preparation and quality of flavor. The soft and indulgent texture of each meat jun piece, perfectly seasoned + cooked. Your choice of tossed greens, purple sweet potato or macaroni salad. "Honey Chicken Plate" Featuring a crazy yummy sweet and savory glaze, sticky and glossy. This sauce, this recipe creation is glorious. Chicken pieces are tender yet slightly crispy on the exterior. "Bibimbap" Freshly made Korean banchan, thinly sliced seasoned beef over white rice. I pour the gochujang over everything and mix-in the sunny side egg, bringing forward a creamy texture along with heat + depth. Choose the sweet potato salad as your side. "Gravy Burger Combo w/ French Fries" This massive burger patty is filling, satisfying. Charred and smothered in rich brown gravy served with lettuce and mayo. Choose the sweet bread bun, the seasoned salt on their fries makes all the difference. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Delicious food to-go with generous portions, sealed bags of cracked seed items + sweet treats at 5-Spice. For enjoyment at home, to share at work, gifts or omiyage. Find this charm, this unique and tasty experience on the Big Island of Hawai'i - East side. Locally owned and operated.

"You can die anytime, but living takes true courage." -- Kenshin Himura…read more What a wonderful health food store & gift shop. If you're wondering: "Locavore" is a person whose diet consists only or principally of locally grown or produced food. Add a bunch of uniques gift ideas by Big Island artists and life is complete. Located in the heart of old town Hilo on Kilauea Avenue is where you'll find Locavore or as locals will know it's next to Ben Franklin. The staff of Sam and Audrey were genuinely kind and welcoming. I was most impressed with their knowledge of products and pride in what they had to offer. My sister (who I was visiting) purchased fresh non-GMO produce and pickled namasu. Since I was visiting Hilo I chose unique stickers and postcards to take home with me. I really felt a warm peaceful vibe while browsing around The Locavore Store. On a Sunday afternoon it was filled with curious customers. Health conscience hippies, those looking for island arts & crafts, and a few locals living la viva Locavore lifestyle. What a fab gem in old town Hilo. Til next time... Pls follow my adventures IG: @eric_travel_guru

They offer local products from smaller businesses which is a really nice touch. Staff is friendly…read moreas well.

Great outdoor (covered) market. Highly recommend for anyone visiting Hilo. Best on Saturdays and…read moreWednesdays. Clothes, food, decorations, knickknacks, souvenirs, etc. great produce from local farmers. A must for anyone touring Hilo.

So many ch fun an, beautiful arts and crafts and lots of local fruit , vegetables and food to…read moresample.

My go-to grocery store. They cater to the local community and support the local community. I love…read morebeing able to make it my first stop in the morning to get breakfast, lunch and groceries for home later. Sometimes prices are a bit high for certain items, but if you watch for sales, they aren't too bad! I shop at KTA at least 3-4 times a week.

Way bigger than the downtown location, plus they have a selection of Two Ladies mochi just like…read moredowntown. Checkout was a little backed up but not bad. Plenty parking. Big selection. Decent prices. Everything you need in a market. Also got some perfectly yellow local bananas - back on Oahu, it seems like all the apple bananas are greener-than-green and take 10+ days to ripen. We were able to tear into these in the car!

Ice Cream 5/5 Not usually what I go for but it was delicious…read moreand different! I ordered the Unicorn which is the ube & dragonfruit combo. They're more on the icier side than creamy. Service 5/5 Standard, nothing special. Ambiance 5/5 Indoor seating. We were the only customers so it was a nice peaceful treat for us. It was raining that day and humid so my ice cream was melting faster than I could eat lol.

Ice cream was great as expected which this place is known for. I prefer the ube one…read more The staff was really nice and she helped adjust a coffee that we ordered. I'd recommend getting coffee elsewhere- the cold brew is a bit watered down. Small seating inside but super close to other stores so a great stop after a meal!

Obviously Foodland not a paid Yelper so they are getting hatchet job here. this is a pretty good…read morestore. I have bought meat here probably 150 times over last 4 years. NEVER A PROBLEM. Same with the poke. Staff is very nice too, especially on senior discount Thursdays. My Subaru dealer in Syracuse NY got same type of treatment from Yelp because they were not paying Yelp review fees. Foodland in Keaau is a nice place.

Kinda bum this foodland did not have the assortment of poke as previously foodlabd this one was by…read morethe volcano so maybe not that many people eat seafood was a bummer but ok we go to another

Totally worth the short, scenic drive! So close to Hilo town!…read more A beautiful working farm- and lovely curated items from crafts, to chocolates, coffee and home-grown fruits. I brought some chocolate home and it is the most amazing chocolate! Also got some fresh fruits we ate while on the island. Wish I had one of those caviar limes right now!! Go here for your souvenirs and support local farmers.

We stopped at this gift store on the way back from the chocolate farm. The gift shop features their…read moreown macadamia nuts that they grow on their 700+ acre farm. (The nuts are processed off site). I bought some and they were delicious. The owner was super friendly. It is worth a stop if you are in the area.