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Hawaii
June 20, 2010
Off to a flying stop! We had a flight change - instead of going to Detroit we were changed to Minneapolis.
Coach instead of first class. First class from Minneapolis to Honolulu where Delta will put us up for the night. They also gave us a voucher for breakfast here at Boston and two $100 vouchers for Delta flights. We will fly to Kona 6/21/2010 in the am.
June 21, 2010
Arrived in Kona, picked up rental car and drove to the condo at The Bay Club. Unpacked, then lunch at Kona Brewing Co. Shopped for groceries. (very expensive!!) Scouted out the resort and made plans for the week.
The Bay Club at Waikoloa Beach Resort
 
 
 
June 22,2010
Off to Hawaii Volcano National Park. Made a stop at South Point, the most southerly point in the United States. Then we stopped at Volcano Winery for a tasting. Bought a bottle of Volcano Blush. Hiked Devastation Trail at Volcano National Park. After the walk, we braved the crowds at the Thurston Lava Tube -
a cave-like structure left after lava receded. On to the town of Volcano for lunch. Then back to the park to see the steam vents. By now the mist was turning into a steady light rain. Last we went to see the tree molds - places where lava engulfed trees. The moisture from the trees cooled the lava around them, but the trees eventually burst into flame and burned so there was nothing left but a mold of the trunk. Back to the condo after a 12 hour day.
 
South Point
 
Wine tasting at Volcano Winery
 
Volcano Winery
 
Honey Bees at work
 
 
Kilauea-Iki Crater
 
Thurston Lava Tube
 
Kilauea-Iki crater in the rain tree mold
June 23, 2010
We spent today in Kona. After looking around the farmer's market (everything is sooo expensive! ) we found a hotel for our last night in Hawaii as our condo week ends a day before we fly to Sydney. Another great lunch at Kona Brewing Co.. Met a family from California who homebrewed. Walked some of the King's Trail (an ancient foot path to the sea) where there are lots of petroglyphs carved into the lava.
 
petroiglyphs
June 24 2010
Driving north today, up to North Kohala Coast. It's very windy today.
First stop - Lapakahi State Historical Park, a 14th century fishing villiage. It was an interesting walk among lava fields and the sea.
We reached Polulu Valley Lookout at the end of the highway - fabulous views from the top of the cliffs.
We stopped at Keokea Beach Park. I guess to the people here "beach" means sitting on lava rock watching a pounding surf that no one without a deathwish would consider going into. Beautiful to watch, though.
Peeked at an unusual Asian Cemetery on the way out.
Drove down a small road to see an itty bitty airport. A wind farm on the side was working hard. There doesn't seem to be a shortage of wind here.
Back at the resort, we took a walk to see what happens when you pour a lot of money on a lava field. Quite impressive! Coming back from the beach we managed to get very lost in the Hilton Waikoloa Village Hotel. It had both boats and a small train to transport guests about. And the koi in their pond! Our heron at home would have swooned with joy!
 
Burial Site. This large rock- House Site. This house site
filled platform contains was abandoned in the early
multiple burials. 1800's and later used for burials
 
Canoe Halau. Thatched roofs Historic House. This house with
covered these long walled bamboo frame and pili grass
enclosures where the canoes thatching was occupied until the
were stored early 1900's.
 
The fisherman always gave a They launched and landed their
portion of their catch to the canoes here
fishing god who lived in this stone
 
Well The lower water table in Sea water was poured into
the late 1800s may be the one hollowed-out stones and the
reason the people left Lapakahi sun evaporated the water,
leaving a concentration of
salt crystals
 
The oil from the nut of the kukui Papamu The game of konane
was burned in a stone bowl for (checkers) is played on this
light stone
Rock Shelter
 
Polulu Valley Lookout
 
Keokea Beach Park
 
wind farm view from 3500' in the northwest
 
Asian Cemetery
 
golfer looking for ball he didn't find this ball
 
one of the many ponds at Waikoloa Beach Resort
koi at Hilton Waikoloa Village Hotel |
