Cookies and candy from Big Island Candies are probably the number one gift item Big Island residents take with them when they travel. The products are great, and it’s also an amazing place to visit.
Stop in at the Big Island Candies store and factory, located in a residential area just blocks from Hilo airport, and you’re greeted at the door with a smile and candy and cookie samples. Free Kona coffee is available at the coffee bar.
Clearly, quality is king at Big Island Candies. The creative store displays, which change with the seasons, are art shows worthy of a visit on their own merit.
In addition to the food treats themselves, packaging is high-end and elegant and makes for a gorgeous gift. Look through the huge windows of the attached factory — if you can drag yourself away from exploring candy and cookies of every sort — and you can watch workers dipping the signature, chocolate-dipped shortbread cookies by hand.
Everywhere there are samples. There’s also a counter selling tasty ice cream. Easy parking.
Open daily 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.