Celebrating Mother’s Day on the Big Island

Mother’s Day is this weekend! This spring holiday always brings lightness, joy, and a feeling of deep appreciation for our moms who brought us to this world and dedicated so much to their children’s well-being. Our mothers’ unconditional love and sacrifices should always be cherished and remembered, and the least we can do to thank them is a soulful Mother’s Day celebration.

Being a mother myself, I know what it takes to raise a child and bring it to its full potential. So this Mother’s Day, celebrate the mothers in your life by giving them the love, respect, and care they deserve. Here are some ideas from the mother’s perspective.

Breakfast in Bed

My first recommendation would be breakfast in bed! You can let your Mom sleep in until she wakes up naturally, then wow her with a healthy and delicious breakfast in her boudoir. Make it something special that you know she would love and won’t make regularly.

It could be an exotic fruit plate (mangoes are in season now in Hawaii) topped with edible flowers, a delectable chocolate smoothie, eggs benedict, or whatever else she would enjoy. Remember all the sleepless nights she had to spend caring for you when you were little? So put some extra time and effort and make this Mother’s Day breakfast truly memorable.

Picnic at the Beach

The second choice would be a picnic at the beach. Living in Hawaii, we are blessed with many beautiful beaches that make for perfect picnic and celebration spots. Go to Paniau in Puako, my neighborhood, which has a couple of picnic tables and plenty of shade, or to Hapuna or Spencer beach – you won’t be disappointed as well.

It is good to visit the farmer’s market the day before (like Waimea’s Farmers Market) and buy fresh fruits, vegetables, bread, pastries, and other delicacies local artisans offer. Pack a bottle of rose or Prosecco, and be sure to take the napkins, seasonings, and other little things and accessories to make this celebration extra-special.

Mother’s Day Brunch or Dinner at a Restaurant

A brunch is always a good option for a more traditional Mother’s Day. The best culinary events on the Big Island are usually hosted by hotels and resorts on the Kohala Coast. Typically, it is a buffet-style lavish brunch with an excellent selection of breakfast foods, entrees, and desserts and is worth checking out.

Mother’s Day brunches require reservations and tend to sell out quickly, so if you are set on this option, call a restaurant as soon as possible to reserve your spot. Here are the best ones offering Mother’s Day brunches this year:

Orchid Court at Fairmont Orchid Hotel, Mauna Lani Resort
11 am – 2 pm $95 per adult/$45 per child Call 866-540-4474

Halani at Mauna Lani Resort
11 am – 2:30 pm $150 per adult/$75 per child Call 808-885-6622

Meridia at Westin Hapuna Beach Resort
10 am – 2 pm $95 per adult/$45 per child (5-12 years old) Call 808-880-1111

If your Mom is more of a dinner person, there are a few great restaurants on the island to keep in mind.

Napua at Mauna Lani Resort

Napua is the best-kept secret of Mauna Lani. Tucked away at the heart of the private Mauna Lani Beach Club, this delicious hidden gem offers everything and more for a special occasion dinner. Great setting, gorgeous sunsets, white tablecloths, and a fantastic Hawaiian-inspired menu showcasing locally-sourced produce, seafood, and meats. Featured live performances by local musicians make dining at Napua even more special. The restaurant is open to the public for dinner starting at 5 pm, and reservations are highly recommended. Call (808) 885-5910 for more details.

Red Water Cafe in Waimea

Red Water Cafe is an award-winning restaurant located in Waimea and dedicated to pleasing customers with creative multi-cultural dishes, including Hawaii regional, Asian-inspired, and other cuisines. The menu is quite diverse so you can find something there for any taste, but be sure to check out their desserts. Redwater house-made ice creams and sorbets are surely worth a try!

Manta at Mauna Kea Resort

Manta is Mauna Kea Beach Hotel’s signature restaurant with an award-winning wine list and delectable entrees prepared by a talented culinary team in Manta’s show kitchen. Their menu is a blend of contemporary and traditional with Pacific Rim cuisines based on locally-sourced ingredients. The food is always excellent and will satisfy even the most refined connoisseurs.

Hire a Private Chef

For a one-of-a-kind Mother’s Day dinner, you can hire a private chef to create an extraordinary experience that your mother will never forget. An exquisite dinner explicitly catered to her taste and served with elegance and style – what can be better! There are several chefs on the island that can create this type of unforgettable experience, so give it some thought.

Whichever way you choose to celebrate Mother’s Day this year, the most important thing is to let your mother know how special you think she is and how much you appreciate her.

I hope you will have a wonderful holiday, and I wish all of you, mothers out there, a Happy Mother’s Day!

Ta Da!

Aloha,

Jan