Ok, so Joyce and Dave have me thinking about what is available on the BI and what isn't. I know we'll be there soon for our trip and be able to look around more, but I thought it would be a good thread.

So, my first question that came to mind today because they're going on sale Saturday, are there Girl Scouts selling cookies on the BI?

Yes !!! But their leaders keep them away from John's house .

While I lived on the BI there was an unfortunate shortage (for others) of Thin Mint Cookies. The issue was I hoarded all of them so one else could have them! I gained 60 pounds but I was happy.

Funny (true) story that happened to me many years ago. I have 5 nieces all were in Girl Scouts at the same time. One niece lived near me and the other 4 lived in Utah. I would buy 8 boxes of cookies every year. I got the call from the 4 in Utah and I would buy 1 box from each of them. When I got the call from the local niece I bought 4 boxes from her because I thought it was only fair. You know, 4 and 4. So one year I got the call from the local niece and I bought 4 boxes from her like usual. Then she says hold on someone else wants to talk to you. So she puts on my oldest niece in Utah. She was visiting my brother's family in Utah and they were talking and figured out what I was doing. Of course then I was put into the position of having to be fair and buy 4 boxes from her. Then of course she put on her sister when she was done with me and so on until I bought 20 boxes that year. No I didn't eat them all. I gave most of them away. I still love Thin Mints!!!

Another downfall of living in such a rural area. I've never seen a Girl Scout here, and I doubt there are any in Ka'u. Of course, since Dave would take all the Thin Mints, then there's no reason for me to even look around!

Just feel lucky they didn't make bring them up to par.

Good to know I should be able to find some cookies while I'm there and until Dave moves to the BI I'll be able to find Thin Mints

How about MiO the newest sweetner, anyone seen it at the stores? I LOVE it!

When I was a kid living on Oahu there seemed to be a few years between when something was introduced and when it was available on the island.

Not sure about Oahu but on the BI costco and Walmart keep it current. If it is available in either of those places chances are good it will be available in Kona.

That's good to hear, sounds like we'll be just fine with the few things we feel we can't live without.

What I found missing was some of the lesser known brands of things. You just sort of adjust. My wife couldn't find the margarine she likes so she had to find something else. I can't find the beer I like here. So I just don't drink as much. Good thing, right? The problems comes in other areas such as hobbies where there are not many hobby stores. Also, parts for things that break can sometimes be a pain in the ass to find. Or you have to wait for things to come from the mainland.

Believe me, after you live here for a while you learn to be resourceful.

Margarine?! Put a stick on your garage floor and see if the bugs will like it or not! Margarine I don't use. There are lots of things you can't find here, but it's the same story whatever island you live on anywhere in the world. My biggest friend is the Internet stores. I'm a foodie, so for example, I buy all my cheeses at iGourmet.com and even with the shipping it costs less than the mediocre cheeses you find at the supermarkets here.

You'd be surprised what Amazon sells and ships for free!!!

You are kidding, right? Food orders from Amazon suck for Hawaii. Have you tried to order something like Arborio rice from them? Good luck, they won't even ship it to Hawaii!

I had wondered about free Amazon shipping to HI. So it is possible for some items?

Good to know about igourmet.com John, I do like a variety of foods and all sorts of marinades and definitely cheeses...one of my favorite things in fact.

What about pure vanilla? I read there's a vanilla company there, is it good? We normally get a huge bottle from Mexico...it's the best that I've had.

And how about agave nectar? Looks like igourmet.com has it, so that's cool.

Well, I can answer a couple of these. As far as vanilla goes it is one of those crops that is being tried and may become successful. I have vanilla from the Big Island and it is very good. Not sure if it is better than others though.

When you buy FROM Amazon any order over $25 is shipped free as long as you agree to let it come by USPS. If you need it faster then it costs. Now, check out the rest of what I am going to say. If you buy THROUGH Amazon you will always pay shipping. In other words you can buy things through Amazon that are purchased from a company other than Amazon. I buy a lot of books. If the books are new, buy them from Amazon and get free shipping. If used then you have to buy them through another company that is associated with Amazon. But these companies agree to reduced shipping costs. So I bought a 1982 cookbook for my wife because her fav book was lost in our last move. It cost $4.00 to ship and took 3 weeks to get here. BTW, always check Amazon first as I buy gun related things and Amazon actually carries certain items. You'll be surprised what they sell. And any order over $25 is shipped free.

You will find yourself looking for Internet companies that ship USPS as they are the cheapest. With UPS coming in next at around $25 to ship here. And FedEx a little higher. Some companies offer free shipping once or twice (or more) a year. Save your money and keep a list of things you want to order and place your big order all at once when free shipping is offered. You'll figure it out very quickly once you get here that you can get Mainland sale prices and free shipping for things if you plan ahead and do your research.

I have never tried to order food through them. So why won't they ship it? They advertised that they will. They even offer free shipping for the rice.