Talk Story with an Advertiser: Daylight Mind Restaurants

Colin Finn opened his first cafe in Boston when he was a mere 24 years old! He has opened and designed over 30 cafes in five countries, and proclaims, “I’ve been in the restaurant business forever!” Colin first vacationed on Hawai‘i Island in 2012. At the time, he was considering Sydney or San Francisco for his next restaurant venture, however he and his partner, Millay Stevens, Daylight Mind’s financial controller, fell in love with Kona’s magic. The former Chart House building at Waterfront Row on Ali‘i Drive was vacant, so Colin and Millay seized the opportunity. They renovated it and opened their first location, Daylight Mind Coffee Company, in September 2013.

In addition to delicious food, this oceanfront restaurant features Daylight Mind’s own brand of coffee, roasted onsite, as well as a bakery. There are two floors here: the lower floor offers indoor and outdoor oceanfront dining and the upper floor is for special events such as their very popular weddings and private parties. They also host frequent concerts and benefits. Parking underneath the building is partially validated.

Colin has recently hired Chef George Gomes to run the kitchen and update the menu. Chef George has a vast amount of experience, having formerly been the executive chef for the Sheraton Kona Resort and King Kamehameha Hotel, as well as having a long teaching career at UH Palamanui. The new menu will offer “Plantation Hawai‘i” cuisine, a cultural fusion, which includes mostly locally sourced foods.

In November 2015, Colin and Millay opened their second restaurant in the Queens’ Marketplace in Waikoloa Resort. Located at the east side of the shopping center, the ambiance is open and airy and offers plenty of free parking.

The third location, a bakery and café at Lanihau Center in Kona, opened in April 2017. It’s on the south corner, mauka side of the shopping center, and there’s lots of free parking there, too.

Both visitors and residents, from young professionals to the elder crowd, enjoy all three locations, which are open every day.

In case you’re curious, Daylight Mind is the literal translation of the Hawaiian word for enlightenment, na‘auao. Colin says, “Our name weaves together a love of scientific exploration with a deep respect for the wisdom and strength of its Hawaiian roots.”

Let’s eat! (And drink coffee!)

Daylight Mind Restaurants, Coffee House & Bakery
75-5770 Ali‘i Drive, Kailua-Kona
69-201 Waikoloa Beach Drive, Suite J1, Waikoloa
75-5595 Palani Road, Suite A10, Kailua-Kona
DaylightMind.com
808.339.7824