Shopping tips

[leilanidude]

Amazon Prime is the way to go for bulk things like toilet paper, paper towels, detergent, etc. Many items are at a lessor cost than you can buy on sale in Hilo and free shipping to your door with no GET (tax) either.

[kalakoa]

There is no Cash 'N Carry, Malama Market or Longs now.

Which is, as they say, the point -- and as Puna residents have made it clear they will drive to Hilo and/or order online, why would any merchant waste the time/money/effort to open a new location?

The lack of community planning turns out to be the right answer, just not for the expected reasons.

Now, if we're all willing to accept that "Puna is a bedroom community", how about more roads to Hilo?

[Rob Tucker]

Kalakoa, You are great at posting witty little quips but do you have any shopping tips? That's what this topic is about.

[kalakoa]

Tortillas from Big Island Mexican Foods (which is even technically in Puna), can't beat the value of a 3-lb bag, keep one in the fridge at all times.

Bread from Papa'a Palaoa Bakery, fresh and local for about the same price as the factory-made stuff. They also make graham crackers, biscotti, cookies, etc.

Kulana Foods for some stuff, like the pre-cooked kalua pork, goes well with either of the above, especially toasted up in a quesadilla.

Hilo Sack'N'Save has the best selection of SPAM, usually a dozen varieties on hand, watch the sale ads to catch it under $2/can.

[shockwave rider]

Papa'a Palaoa Bakery also has amazing cardamon coffee cake muffins for only $1.50 fresh baked in the morning, one of the best deals on the Island. They open at 6 AM.

[macuu222]

Best wine prices in town are at Longs. But make sure you bring the weekly advertisement with you. A lot of times Longs doesn't have the new sales prices posted on the shelves. Also they have a 10% discount if you buy 6 or more!

[terracore]

Does anybody have any livestock concentric shopping tips? We use a mixture of buying from Dels, Mirandas, Amazon, Walmart, and Pahoa Feed. And occasionally Waimea. The prices at Pahoa feed aren't competitive but we throw them as much business as we can. It's like a "convenience store" for livestock supplies when you need to grab something close and don't want to drive into Hilo. I guess in this category the Orchidland store also applies for emergency small amounts of feed because they do have some livestock supplies (so does J. Hara). The feed at Mirandas is usually higher quality than Dels and they have a real parking lot, but sometimes we get stuff at Dels because their sales are good or its an item that Miranda's doesn't have. Especially medications and vaccines. The customer service at all the main livestock/feed stores is really good. When we have ordered day old chicks etc Pahoa feed has been THE BEST price and it's not as seasonal as Dels. Oddly enough there are some things available at the Waimea feed store that are so cheap by Hilo comparison it may be worth the gas to get there if you need a lot of it. Walmart has a surprisingly large livestock section. Their egg layer feed doesn't have enough protein and their bags weigh less than Mirandas or Dels, but there are some things like mineral blocks etc and some medicines that are only a few dollars compared to much more anywhere else. Their pig feed gets sold out the same day it comes in, so it must have a great price. Last hint is that the hay and straw at Dels is ultra compressed which is convenient for transporting (especially if you're stuck with a hatchback or something) but much of it is dust and stems. The quality at Mirandas is much better value.

ETA: Pahoa feed has a great selection of live plants, reasonably priced.

[Punatic007]

I was stuck coming back from Hilo today during rush hour and it was brutal. Just informed that the 5th of the month, today, is the worst day for shopping. All EBT crediting clears by the 5th.

[Ino]

You can find some great deals here;
http://www.restaurant.com/offer/landing1?prti=1647&AID=10422977&PID=2203897&SID=4198116559&afsrc=1

Enter your zip code- then enter SAVE upper right Promo box- get a $10 gift certificate for $2.20 3 local restaurants listed-Tin Shack Bakery must buy $20 minimum purchase when you redeem gift certificate. Papa'a Palaoa Bakery must buy $10 minimum purchase when you redeem your gift certificate and the Fish and the Hog in Waimea must buy $50 minimum purchase when you redeem gift certificate-$25 for $5.50 Offer good thru 1-06-15 or today and usually offers get extended.

[leilanidude]

Unless you personally verify through those businesses that they authorized those discount coupons, I would NOT purchase them.
If you google "restaurant.com scams" you will see why.