We flew out of San Jose after my dad graciously drove us to the airport. We had an hour layover in Honolulu and then flew in to Kona. Got our luggage, rental car, and snorkel gear at Snorkel Bob's without a hitch.
I was desperate to stick my feet in the sand and water, so we stopped at Mauna Kea beach for a little stroll before heading over to Hilo, the other side of the island.
Part of Hilo Bay across the street from our hotel
We stayed 3 nights in Hilo at the Seaside Hotel. We stocked up on groceries for our breakfasts and lunches (the cheapest loaf of bread was 6 dollars!) and visited the farmers' market for papayas to last us the whole trip! We had fresh papaya every morning.
We made a trip to Puna (a region south of Hilo) for snorkeling and other swimming stops. Part of the highway had a neat tree canopy. It was hypnotizing watching those trees above us as we drove.
We went snorkeling at Kapoho tide pools. The tide pools are fairly shallow and sheltered from the open ocean, so a very good place for me to learn!
Onomea Bay
There's a scenic drive off of the highway north of Hilo that we took on the way to the waterfalls. We did some exploring and short hikes along this road. It had gorgeous views of the ocean and jungle.
The shore of Onomea Bay when we hiked down.
Us at Akaka Falls.
We continued up the coast to the Waipi'o Valley lookout. We stopped in Honoka'a and got plate lunches and ate at the overlook. Our little car couldn't handle the road down into the valley, so this is as close as we got. Gorgeous view!
After our 3 nights in Hilo, it was time to head to the west side to Kona. We were sad to leave Hilo. Everyone we ran into was very nice and the area was so beautiful. We did not have an extra day to go to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, so we decided to dedicate a Kona day to the park.
Halema'uma'u crater from Mauna Kea visitor's center
We took Saddle Road to Kona. Saddle Road runs between Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea volcanoes. Our goal was to go to Mauna Kea summit, but we stopped at the visitor's center. It was a very clear morning and we could see the active Halema'uma'u (we learned Hawaiians don't like short names) crater at Kilauea.
Brian's wearing a coat in Hawaii! It was around 60 up there. We felt right at home!
A silversword plant. Brian said the science nerds would understand.
Our banana car on Mauna Loa.
We didn't want to take our "banana car" (Chevy Spark) up to Mauna Kea summit, although we were very tempted. A ranger suggested that we drive to the Mauna Loa weather station and observatory to get similar views and elevation.
We are standing on Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea is in the background.
Mauna Loa weather station and observatory (not open to the public).
An interesting instrument. It involved a laser and a moving mirror. The oval part is the mirror and would move from side to side every 30 seconds or so. Anyone know what it is?
Mauna Kea
We continued to Kona and headed down the Kohala coast. This is where the "best" beaches and resorts are on the island. I read about Kiholo Bay in our guide book and it sounded promising but required a short hike. We parked along the highway and made our way towards the ocean on a faint trail. Eventually we lost the trail but continued. We came upon a gate which had big letters that said KAPU (danger/keep out in Hawaiian). Somehow we ended up inside the gated area! It was a little scary, but we found a low fence to climb over.
Soon we were rewarded with a beautiful bay with about 8 sea turtles on the beach! Definitely worth the trek! We swam a bit, but the water was rather choppy.
Unhappy Brian walking through the lava field.
Then we headed back to our car a different way- over miles of lava fields! Thankfully we found the highway near where we parked. We were very happy to see our banana car again.
One side of the snorkeling area.
The next day was a day of snorkeling at Pu'uhonua O Honauau National Park. It was a fantastic spot with an easy entry and TONS of cool fish. We saw two kinds of Humuhumunukunukuapua'a (the state fish) at once!
A little snowflake moray eel in a tide pool at Honauau.
Pu'uhonua O Honauau provided a sanctuary for people who broke the rules during Kamehameha's days.
After snorkeling we walked around and enjoyed the national park itself. We saw a monk seal on the shore which is apparently highly endangered. The ranger told us there are only 5 of them on the big island of Hawaii.
Gorgeous sunset at dinner.
We had a wonderful dinner at the Kona Inn suggested by Carol and Don.
Brian had prime rib and I had a seafood assortment (seared ahi, scallops, and shrimp I think). Good Mai Tais too!
Kahalu'u beach park
We snorkeled at Kahalu'u beach park by Kona. Good snorkeling for such close proximity to all the action! Eventually I had my snorkeling share, so Brian went out a bit himself. I bet he was glad to get away from scaredy Sarah!
We went on another beach adventure and hiked to Makalawena beach. It was secluded and pristine with lots of nice, soft white sand and clear water.
Courtesy of the self timer.
Perfect beach!
One of the many pretty sunsets from our room balcony. We stayed at Manago Hotel in Captain Cook for one week. It is an old, family run hotel that had a very cheap weekly rate. It wasn't luxurious, but it had a GREAT view and met all of our needs.
Brian was gracious and let me go to all the coffee farms I wanted. Here's coffee beans drying in the sun at one of the farms. Most of these places ship their unroasted coffee to Peets, Starbucks, etc for roasting.
We hiked the Kilauea Iki crater that erupted in the 50s.
As I mentioned before, we dedicated a Kona day to Volcanoes National Park. It was about an hour and a half drive from Kona.
Down on the hardened lava pool.
We drove down Chain of Craters Drive to the end of the road at the ocean (an earlier lava flow covered up the road).
A lava sea arch. This was about 40 feet tall.
Various lava flows and Chain of Craters Road going through lava.
There was not any lava flowing into the ocean when we were visiting. The only flowing lava was at Pu'u O'o crater about a 17 mile round trip hike away. If we were better equipped, we would've done it!
Halema'uma'u crater inside the larger Kilauea crater from the Jagger museum.
After dinner at Volcano House, we went back to the Jagger museum and the crater and smoke was all lit up by the lava pool!!
Another pretty view from our hotel room.
We flew back to Oakland airport and Carol and Don were very kind to pick us up at 10 pm. We didn't have to hitchhike home after all.
If you have lasted this long, congratulations.
We had the best time and it was literally a dream come true!
