Uncle Robert's Awa Bar and Farmers Market — Attraction in Hawaii

We vacationed in Hawaii recently and I are friends who live there took us to Uncle Robert's free Wednesday night luau. I would not miss this simply because you will learn a lot about historic Hawaiian culture just by being immersed in it, and it is an awesome event. We took our sons who are 15 and 18. To give you a picture of what the scene is like it is like a little festival, people of all ages, a ton of different ethnic foods & vendors, and live music - a cross between country and bluegrass. The band was amazing and it was a lot of fun watching the Hawaiian dancers. I can't believe this event is free, aside from (if you park away down the street it's free to park) it is $3 to park if you go in and park in the lava parking area which I would highly recommend because the walk is much shorter. The other reason I would recommend paying $3 and parking there is because you'll definitely want to go down to the ocean and see the black sand beach. There is no swimming, however you can walk right up to the ocean and watch the massive waves pound in. We did this at night which made it even crazier - there is a path that goes back there that we could follow with flashlights. I would keep kids close to you as you get to the ocean. I'm sure if someone already mentioned this in another review but the reason it is free is because Uncle Robert believed it should be free and open to the public to celebrate as a thanking to a god for sparing his property in the last lava eruption. Everywhere around him was hit except for his place, it's crazy to see. He died a few years ago but his family has carried it on. They have a cash bar too, in fact only a couple food places took cards so make sure to bring cash! People also brought their own wine I saw, including our friends. For the most part the food is reasonable cost-wise. It is really hot in there with all the bodies, basically a ton of picnic tables so you are...

Disclaimer: I was here 25 years ago. That said, it was AMAZING!!! I've checked out newer photos and reviews and it looks like it's gotten even better!

We stopped by on the way to the black sand beach to check it out. We got there later in the day, so there were only a few vendors still open. I wanted fruit, so we went to the only fruit vendor still open. Unfortunately, as soon as we arrived at the stall, my mother was stung by a bee! The vendor IMEDIATELY treated my mom with Chinese "White Flower Oil" (which we still keep in the medicine chest today) to ease the pain and swelling. The vendor THEN gifted us the rest of her bottle of "White Flower Oil," which was a blessing. ❤

To this day, this is one of my best memories of The Big Island and the reason the SE part of the Island is my favorite. (Aside from Kona, for the coffee obvy!)

To that vendor: Thank you from the bottom of my heart! I hope you're still working there.

To travellers: You're missing out if you don't check out Uncle Robert's. Rent a car and make sure you go there on your way to the Black Sand Beach. I'm sure you won't be...

As a local, this was a 10 star preCOVID and anything you read was spot on. The place where 100’s of locals would meet and eat; and of course tourists. However post covid lockdown there are few vendors and spotty at that. The entertainment is great as always, though there is now a charge, which is reasonable. However the vibe is different. much negativity has been garnered towards them. And many locals do not understand why such large changes were made and they have hard feelings. That being said it is up to Uncle Roberts to fully explain there descions or not. For that is there own business to do so. They will make there own mind how they run it. I will forever remember it fondly for the rest of my life and realize THINGS CHANGE. Many now look at it as a tourist trap based off of previous word of mouth. personally i will not patronize it. I want to thank Uncle and his ohana for there kindness over all the years and good...