Chef Ippy Aiona's Weekend in Waimea

There's a really cool little hotel, The Kamuela Inn. The new owners are amazing people, and they just renovated the whole property. It's beautiful.

Kamuela Inn is a boutique hotel in Waimea. Its 32 rooms range in size with some including kitchenettes or full kitchens. Daily breakfast, free WIFI and parking are included

From $269/night

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The following is an excerpt from 'Growing Up Hapa in Hawaiʻi' by Ippy Aiona.

"Opening Ippy's Hawaiian BBQ was a defining moment in my life, one that marked the culmination of years of dreams, hard work, and a deep connection to my family's restaurant roots."

Open Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Big Island Brewhaus across the street from Ippy's Hawaiian BBQ does a really good job. It's the best spot to get a beer in town. Other than that we drink beer in our garages, you know?

Big Island Brewhaus is known for its craft beers and farm-to-table brewpub menu featuring ingredients from nearby farms. The brewery has won over 30 national and international awards and has an extensive selection from light lagers to its famous Overboard IPA and White Mountain Porter.

Open daily 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

There's a new local family that took over Country Grounds. It's really good.

Waimea Country Grounds is a drive-through coffee shop for on-the-go locally-roasted coffee, espresso drinks, Hawaiʻi-grown matcha and teas, smoothies, lemonade and more.

Open Monday through Friday 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Kekela Farm here in Waimea does an amazing job. They grow all kinds of produce, including mixed greens, baby carrots, fennel, beets and radishes. They have a farm stand in front of their property. I use them for about 80% of my private dinners and special events.

Open Tuesdays 2 to 5 p.m. and Saturdays 8 a.m. to noon - arrive early, there is often a long line, but it moves quickly

We're notorious for our farmers markets in Waimea. We have two on Saturday and one on Wednesday.

While you're there, browse local art and crafts, pick up lunch and ingredients for later, and enjoy live music in the grassy area by the food trucks and picnic tables. The Paniolo Hall of Fame is also located here inside the Heritage Center.

Find Kamuela Farmers Market at Pukalani Stable every Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Pukalani Midweek Market is also at this location every Wednesday 7 a.m. to noon

This was here when I was a little kid and it's actually right by my parent's house. I used to walk there to get my mom coffee all the time. It's a really good spot.

Waimea Coffee Company is the neighborhood coffee shop in Parker Square where "everyone" goes. Come for breakfast, lunch, an extensive coffee menu, smoothies, pastries, cocktails, wine and local beer. Open daily 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Waimea Butcher Shop is really popular and they do an amazing job. I had the owner, Mills Stovall, on the first episode of "Eating Our Roots." I go there all the time to get meats for my private dinners. What I like about Waimea Butcher Shop is that everything is local — the beef, pork and all the products he carries. I really appreciate that.

Open Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. In addition to its full meat counter, the shop also serves lunch, dinner, cocktails, beer and wine.

Yong's is located in Waimea Center right next door to where my parent's restaurant was. I used to go there all the time when I was younger. I knew the owners and now their son is running the restaurant. I think that's one of the few restaurants in that shopping center that is still standing from when I was a little kid.

Yong's Kal-Bi serves a variety of local-style Korean dishes. They also have a good selection of house-made kimchee and banchan you can purchase to-go.

Open Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 2:30 and 5 to 8 p.m., closed Sundays