Big Island - Day 4

On our last day in Hilo, we drove around to pick up favorite snacks for the long drive to Kona. Above, are mochi (Japanese sweet rice cakes) from Two Ladies Kitchen - a definite stop if you ever come to this island.

My favorite - the Strawberry Mochi - filled with red bean paste and a big, fresh, juicy strawberry.

On the way, we stopped by the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut factory to see what was happening. Unfortunately, the factory part was closed that day so we just enjoyed some samples at the visitor center...

...then, we wandered through the macadamia nut orchards and gathered some stray nuts. Here, my sons are trying to break them open (mac nuts have one of the hardest shells in the world) and succeeded with a large rock and great force.

Fresh macadamia nuts are kind of chewy, resembling a coconut texture. Of course, the roasted ones in the cans are good, too!