Starbucks

Visiting for the first time, I was pleasantly surprised at how this location felt more like a local coffee shop than a corporate chain. A cheerful girl was ready to take my order immediately and was happy to help me decide what to get, while a chipper young man got my frappaccino ready right away. Definitely a local vibe, with the kupuna relaxing and talking story. And my Java Chip Frap with a double shot of mint sure hit the spot! Mahalo to all the kind, hard working folks at this location!

Yes it is foolish to go to Starbucks instead of to a local cafe with 100% Kona coffee while on the Big Island but we were in a rush! This Starbucks location had excellent service, fresh coffee, and was at a great location. But yes if you're in Hawaii, especially if you're on the Big Island definitely hit up your local cafes for that 100% Kona coffee. Altitude and climate for Kona coffee creates that famous smooth fragrant coffee experience you won't want to miss.

This Starbucks is a vibe. Like most Starbucks that many of us have been to has all the normal things, but I think it’s just Waimea (Kamuela town) that makes it that much better. On a cold morning or when the early evening chill starts to set in, it’s a great spot to grab your drink, sit and meet up with friends. It’s also very centrally located in Waimea, so easy to find and get to!

There’s nothing like a perfect dose of caffeine after long drives across the island, and this Starbucks delivered in every way possible. Even with a line and lobby full of customers, all the baristas were cheerful, the store was clean, and orders were coming out fast. On our first visit to this location, we were immediately greeted with a warm and friendly welcome from Chris (who was multitasking with ease and grace, even in the usual Starbucks chaos). We had a “splash zone” experience with Chris when the water spout decided to go wild (it sprayed all the way across the lobby and even drenched the windows), and everyone involved couldn’t stop laughing- it’s one of our favorite memories from this trip to Hawaii, and we’ll be retelling this story for years to come. I highly recommend this Starbucks to anyone in the area needing a little pick-me-up!