Two tidbits from our wandering on Thursday.

We did some sightseeing along the Hamakua Coast, making the drive to Honokaa. We stopped a few times, including the Salvation Army thrift store in Honokaa, then parked and walked around checking the stores in Honokaa town.

Meda found a pair of earrings in one small shop, and we found just the right present for a friend in another.

Here’s one item that caught my jaded eyes–yarn from homegrown bunnies right there in Honokaa.

Bunny Yarn

I have to admit that I was surprised. If they can do this with bunnies, what about cats? I’m sure that Duke sheds a sweater’s worth every couple of weeks.

Anyway…

In the late afternoon, we stopped in at a wine tasting at Grapes, A Wine Store along Kilauea Avenue in downtown Hilo. It’s in a tiny space, but owner Randy Nunokawa has built up a fine wine collection and quite a reputation. Luckily, friends turned us on to this tasting and we’re so glad they recommended it.

Wine tasting at Grapes.

There were six featured wines, two whites and four reds. None were labels I recognized from the mass market stores, all were very good. There was slow turnover in the small crowd of 10-15 people that filled the space. Some came prepared with their own glasses. We brought a bag to carry up to six bottles of wine, just in case. We ended up buying two good bottles and later enjoyed them over dinner with our friends.

Anyway, if you have a visit to Hilo in your future plans, definitely give Grapes a spot on your schedule.