Stay Like a Local on the Big Island of Hawaii: Massage and Yoga with Yuki Agoot

Yuki teaches yoga and offers massage services at her beautiful studio in Kailua Kona on The Big Island.

In Shenzhen, there was a culture of massage for health, and it was so affordable that I adopted a monthly massage habit. To keep it affordable when I came back stateside, I started frequenting massage schools, where you can usually get an hour long student massage for around $40.

Then, a friend introduced me to the lovely Yuki Agoot, who was running a special promotion for teachers. I had never had a regular masseuse before, and it completely transformed the experience for me. Suddenly, my massage experience was consistent and I knew what to expect during each visit. Yuki took the time to ask about my body, what areas needed work and what my stress level was like. Her expertise became obvious to me when I arrived with a lingering cold and she gave special attention to releasing muscles around my shoulder blades, lungs and throat that completely cleared my lymphatic system. I could actually feel the drainage happening and could breathe freely for the first time in weeks.

Yuki's massage methods are also informed by her interest in yoga, which made me curious to try her alignment yoga classes. Listening to her describe mountain pose deepened my understanding of a simple standing posture that I thought I "knew" already. She brought our attention to the four different points of the foot, and encouraged us to balance our weight across each of those points equally while imagining becoming one with the earth beneath you. Try it and see what it does for your awareness and presence in this moment.

Yuki has been my masseuse for over two years now, but more than that, she has come to be a kind of spiritual mentor. She is a living, breathing example of a grounded, centered, open hearted human who gives something back to the world around her.

If you live on Big Island, or are here for vacation, go see her. Her studio is located near Costco above Ceviche Dave's. Inside, there are beautiful dark hardwood floors and a sweeping view of the ocean. Pilates machines and balance balls line the walls. Her private massage space is softly lit, with massage certificates in bamboo frames on one wall, and full color anatomy illustrations on the other. Yuki asks how your body is, and you have a chance to talk about what you would like from the experience. She slips out so you can undress and get on the fancy electric table, which she adjusts depending on what part of your body she is working on. The music is soft and thougtful- never cheesy, just soothing. Yuki's massage is thorough with special attention to tense areas that resist movement. I usually drift in and out, and when it's time to get off the table, I arise feeling revived for whatever is next in my life.

Thanks for all the help staying in the moment,Yuki. Namaste!

Eat Like a Local on the Big Island of Hawaii: Buns in the Sun Bakery

If you are looking for a bakery to knock your socks off with extraordinary espresso and flaky, melt in your mouth, lighter than air pastries, keep looking (and let me know where in Kona you found it!) If you are looking for a quick, inexpensive breakfast in Kona, stop in at Buns in the Sun. This little family owned place is convenient, reasonably priced, and has a name that makes me think of sunburned tourist butts, which is always good for a smile. The bagels are solidly good, though the pastries always look a little heavy and greasy. (It's not easy keeping things light in this salty sea air!)

When we go, I like the Super Bagel, loaded with lox, capers, cream cheese and red onions. It's just the right amount of food and the salty twang of the capers is perfect with the sweetness of the lox and the fluffy cream cheese.

Sit outside on the heavy wrought iron furniture, sip a little weak Kona Coffee and plan out your day in Paradise. Your breakfast was less than $8, the service was cheery and you've got a beautiful day ahead of you!

Eat Like a Local on the Big Island of Hawaii: Sam Choy's

Sam Choy's re-opened with great hubbub here in Kona. It is hard to find parking and the place is packed constantly. For a little town like ours, a new restaurant is big news. Eric and I have tried Sam Choy's twice, once for lunch and more recently for breakfast. It has sublime views of the ocean- it's hard to believe this building used to be a Wendy's! 

The patio is the place to be, especially now that they've added an awning for shade. From here you can watch for whales and sneak a peak at their herb garden. This restaurant is committed to using sustainable local ingredients and we had fun watching a sous chef hacking off an armload of chives for the kitchen.

The breakfast menu is small, but there are some delicious local options. I went with the catch of the day, which happened to be Opah. If I were really local, I would have gone with rice instead of potatoes. The onions in the hash had not been cooked nearly long enough for my liking, but the fish was excellent, firm and light, as was the guava jam for my toast. For an $11 breakfast, I'd say we did all right. 

The other refreshing thing about Sam Choy's is the friendly service, which I'm sorry to say is often sadly lacking in Kona area restaurants. Too many waitresses and tourists busy jading each other perhaps? Not so at Sam's. Our waitress was a gem, keeping our coffee filled and conversation flowing.  We'll be back at Sam's for a little fresh fish and talk story very soon. 

Eat Like a Local on the Big Island of Hawaii: Da Poke Shack, Number One for a Reason.

Da Poke Shack is Kona's Number One rated restaurant on Trip Advisor. Maybe that's why we waited so long to walk through the doors. It's like the Beatles, or Snuggies, or Harry Potter. It's so popular, you feel like you can't join in at this point without feeling dumb. That wagon is crowded enough without you.

And then when you do join, you wonder what the hell took you so long. Because the wagon is crowded for a reason. This is good stuff. And it would be a shame to miss it just because everyone else is busy enjoying it.

And so it is with Da Poke Shack. Poke is basically salad made with incredibly fresh raw fish, seaweed, salt and a variety of other seasonings. (If you dig sushi, you're gonna love it.) And these guys know their stuff. They are all fishermen and local guys who love super fresh seafood and know how it should be prepared: quickly, simply, with love and not a lot of fanfare.

We opted for the plate lunch, which anywhere else in Hawaii would mean mac salad (that's macaroni salad for the uninitiated. Overcooked macaroni slathered in mayonaise plopped onto your plate via ice cream scoop. Yuck.) rice and terriyaki chicken or pork. At Da Poke Shack, it means two choices of poke, salad (we chose seaweed) and seasoned rice.

Never tried poke before? Not sure which of the many bowls to choose from? No problem brah. The guys behind the counter lovingly dole out tastes via toothpick, describing what ingredients are in each dish and happily making suggestions. Don't be shy. Take them up on it- their friendly enthusiasm is part of what makes this little hole in the wall place so very special. It's number one for a reason.

The Golden Artichoke for Fall

Wouldn't these metallic gold artichokes be a decadent statement of bounty on a fall table? They are for tea lights, but would be pretty completely empty. I discovered them over at Koloko Furniture here in Kona, but they are a bit spendy so I may spend an open studio day at Donkey Mill Art Center playing with the idea.

Have you come across any cool housewares this fall? I find these kinds of trinkets irresistible.