Legacy of a pandemic

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The pandemic appears to be (mostly) over.  Many have returned to their lives as they used to be.  But some no longer have a job or a business!  Barb and I drove into Kona today to look in some of the shops and the twisty turny mall by the water.  Over 50% of businesses closed.  Empty spaces with paper on the windows and doors.  It's very sad looking.  One business owner we spoke with told us the property owner would not entertain giving them a break during the hard times and with tourism down for over two years, many just could not afford to remain open and pay rent with nothing coming in.

The little restaurant that used to be Bubba Gumps closed and sat empty for awhile.  It's now reopened as Kai's, a part of Huggos along with a couple other eateries/drinkeries! 
We decided to pop in for lunch.  Sitting on the outdoor patio with the surf rolling in and birds twittering nearby was so wonderful.  

Barb decided to have a Kai burger with fries and a virgin pina colada. 

I opted for the arugula, Gorgonzola, candied macadamia nuts, strawberry and balsamic dressing!  I almost licked the bowl it was so good!

We wandered around looking at things for a bit. Ran into this odd couple, a funny looking old sailor and a mermaid.  We are friendly to folks we meet, so we had a photo op including us both in a photo taken by a kind passerby.  Next time I won't stand by a skinny anorexic mermaid, it will be someone fatter than me!  😂


By the time we looked around our feet were beginning to harbour hard feelings about us and swell up.  We still had a way to trudge up the sidewalk to where we had parked the car, so away we went.  Once we reached the car we were sweating and exhausted.  However…..one never turns down an offer of an ice cream so off we went, up the road to Keahou shopping centre.  One poor girl by herself in the shave ice/ice cream shop and a whole bunch of us folks lined up.  She had the sweetest calmest disposition.  We all got served!  We sat outside in the courtyard eating our cones and again noticed all of the empty businesses.  However!!  😘. The fabulous little clothing store I'd previously found on another trip is still there, you know what that means…..



Oh, I forgot, this was our view at lunch.  Are you feeling sorry for us now?

# end

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