Sat Oct 19 Hilo Hawaii Hotel, Hilo Hawaii
We had a great flight over, very scenic flying over some of the other islands. Got checked in to our room which is waterfront with a great view from our room. We then headed out for about 4 hours to check out the scenery and stopped at a little cafe for a late lunch. Got back to the hotel for sunset cocktails on our balcony and then ate dinner at the bar. Met a fun guy who was a pediatric cancer surgeon from Pittsburg and really enjoyed chatting with him. Tomorrow Volcano National Park.
We had a great flight over, very scenic flying over some of the other islands. Got checked in to our room which is waterfront with a great view from our room. We then headed out for about 4 hours to check out the scenery and stopped at a little cafe for a late lunch. Got back to the hotel for sunset cocktails on our balcony and then ate dinner at the bar. Met a fun guy who was a pediatric cancer surgeon from Pittsburg and really enjoyed chatting with him. Tomorrow Volcano National Park.
Sun Oct 20 Hilo
Spent five hours touring Volcano National Park. We bought Shaka guides for both Hawaii and Maui and it was great listening* to a guided tour from the comfort of our own car. One thing I did learn is that a 2 mile hike climbing over lava flows and loose lava rocks actually feels like 5 miles ! Jon had been here about 50 years ago and said the park looked entirely different. The guide said that the park is constantly changing topography with the active volcanoes. After the park, we headed to Panaluu which is a black sand beach with crashing waves, very scenic ! Sunset cocktails on balcony again and dinner pub.
Spent five hours touring Volcano National Park. We bought Shaka guides for both Hawaii and Maui and it was great listening* to a guided tour from the comfort of our own car. One thing I did learn is that a 2 mile hike climbing over lava flows and loose lava rocks actually feels like 5 miles ! Jon had been here about 50 years ago and said the park looked entirely different. The guide said that the park is constantly changing topography with the active volcanoes. After the park, we headed to Panaluu which is a black sand beach with crashing waves, very scenic ! Sunset cocktails on balcony again and dinner pub.
Mon Oct 21 Hilo
Up and on the road at 8:00 am. Out first stop was Mauna Loa volcano. There was a 17 mile single lane road to drive, we did about 10 miles then turned around because there was no real variation in the scenery. Next stop was Mauna Kea. We drove 6 miles to the visitors center but it was far as they would allow us to go without a 4 wheel drive. Lots of signs about risk of altitude sickness. We were already feeling it a bit at 6 miles so just as well ! Next stop was Botanical world adventures. We walked through a lot of gardens and saw a beautiful waterfall. Next stop was Akamai falls which included a hike to view them. Next stop was Rainbow falls. We drove down by the port, then called it a day. The view from our balcony really is gorgeous. We overlook a bay, and Mauna Kea volcano that we can watch sun set over at night. We saw a lot of bicyclists out today on the volcano roads. The international iron man competition is in Kona this weekend so we think they were probably be out training. Tomorrow we head to the west side for four days.
Mon Oct 21 Hilo
Up and on the road at 8:00 am. Out first stop was Mauna Loa volcano. There was a 17 mile single lane road to drive, we did about 10 miles then turned around because there was no real variation in the scenery. Next stop was Mauna Kea. We drove 6 miles to the visitors center but it was far as they would allow us to go without a 4 wheel drive. Lots of signs about risk of altitude sickness. We were already feeling it a bit at 6 miles so just as well ! Next stop was Botanical world adventures. We walked through a lot of gardens and saw a beautiful waterfall. Next stop was Akamai falls which included a hike to view them. Next stop was Rainbow falls. We drove down by the port, then called it a day. The view from our balcony really is gorgeous. We overlook a bay, and Mauna Kea volcano that we can watch sun set over at night. We saw a lot of bicyclists out today on the volcano roads. The international iron man competition is in Kona this weekend so we think they were probably be out training. Tomorrow we head to the west side for four days.
Tues Oct 22 Mauna Lani
We got up and started heading west by a northern route. Our first stop were Japanese gardens. Next was a hike n the Onomea trails that had fabulous views. We continued up the coast and visited 2 more waterfalls. We stopped off to see the memorial for the great tidal wave of 1946. We then went through a cute little town f Honokao to the Waipahu valley lookout. Then crossed over through Waimea and arrived at out Airbnb about 5:00 pm. We met with our hosts to get the lay of the land and then picked up take out for dinner.
We got up and started heading west by a northern route. Our first stop were Japanese gardens. Next was a hike n the Onomea trails that had fabulous views. We continued up the coast and visited 2 more waterfalls. We stopped off to see the memorial for the great tidal wave of 1946. We then went through a cute little town f Honokao to the Waipahu valley lookout. Then crossed over through Waimea and arrived at out Airbnb about 5:00 pm. We met with our hosts to get the lay of the land and then picked up take out for dinner.
Wed Oct 23 Mauna Lani
Neither Jon or I slept well because our host told us the road to the highway would be closed Sat because of the Ironman. We found the site that said the highway would close at 6:00 am. I could not find a hotel at the airport so we changed all our plans and are now flying out Fri noontime to Maui. Once we got all the cancellations then new reservations made we headed out to explore. Once we hit the highway south to Kona, we saw 100’s of athletes out training either biking or running. Based on the traffic we encountered, we felt very confident that we made the right decision to get out of town a day early. We purchased Shake audio guides for both the big Island Maui. It has been invaluable having out own personal tour guide and there are lots of great tips and history. Today we started at Kekaha Kai state park, then Honokohau historical state park. We saw several huge green sea turtles,, and have seen wild goats everywhere ! We then went into downtown Kona, what an absolute madhouse ! There was a large cruise ship in, then add that on top of the extra 10,000 people in town for the Ironman this weekend, and it was chaos ! We then stopped at a farmers market and craft fair, Lekeleke burial grounds, then Big Island bees apiary. Next was Kealakekua Bay where Captain Cook landed. We spent a goood amount of time at the puuhonu o Honaunau historical park. Next was a beautiful church called “The Painted Church” that had beautiful Murals. We made a lunch stop at a Mexican food/gas station for lunch. Unfortunately the coffee farms we wanted to visit had already closed so we continued to head back north to home. We made a final stop to explore Waikoloa which was quite the community !
Neither Jon or I slept well because our host told us the road to the highway would be closed Sat because of the Ironman. We found the site that said the highway would close at 6:00 am. I could not find a hotel at the airport so we changed all our plans and are now flying out Fri noontime to Maui. Once we got all the cancellations then new reservations made we headed out to explore. Once we hit the highway south to Kona, we saw 100’s of athletes out training either biking or running. Based on the traffic we encountered, we felt very confident that we made the right decision to get out of town a day early. We purchased Shake audio guides for both the big Island Maui. It has been invaluable having out own personal tour guide and there are lots of great tips and history. Today we started at Kekaha Kai state park, then Honokohau historical state park. We saw several huge green sea turtles,, and have seen wild goats everywhere ! We then went into downtown Kona, what an absolute madhouse ! There was a large cruise ship in, then add that on top of the extra 10,000 people in town for the Ironman this weekend, and it was chaos ! We then stopped at a farmers market and craft fair, Lekeleke burial grounds, then Big Island bees apiary. Next was Kealakekua Bay where Captain Cook landed. We spent a goood amount of time at the puuhonu o Honaunau historical park. Next was a beautiful church called “The Painted Church” that had beautiful Murals. We made a lunch stop at a Mexican food/gas station for lunch. Unfortunately the coffee farms we wanted to visit had already closed so we continued to head back north to home. We made a final stop to explore Waikoloa which was quite the community !
Thurs Oct 24 Mauna Lani
Today was a hill day for us. We did head out about 8:30 but it was a slow pace to complete what he had not seen on the island. We headed north today. First stop was Hapuna Beach state park, then Puukohola national historic site, Lopokohi state historical park then one of my favorite stops, Keokea park. It was spectacular views with surfers entertaining us ! We then stopped in the cute town of Hawi. It was an adorable town. It is the northern turning point to head back south to Kona for the Ironman so it was full of cyclists training. It is also the birthplace of Kamehameha, a famous Hawaiian warrior. Next was another amazing view stop, Pololu valley lookout. We then drove through miles of green pastures and cattle farms, then circled. Ack through to Waimea to home. We got back around 3 and spent the rest of the day at the communities private beach club which was nice. We stopped and got take out then got home home and packed to,leave tomorrow to Maui.
Thurs Oct 24 Mauna Lani
Today was a hill day for us. We did head out about 8:30 but it was a slow pace to complete what he had not seen on the island. We headed north today. First stop was Hapuna Beach state park, then Puukohola national historic site, Lopokohi state historical park then one of my favorite stops, Keokea park. It was spectacular views with surfers entertaining us ! We then stopped in the cute town of Hawi. It was an adorable town. It is the northern turning point to head back south to Kona for the Ironman so it was full of cyclists training. It is also the birthplace of Kamehameha, a famous Hawaiian warrior. Next was another amazing view stop, Pololu valley lookout. We then drove through miles of green pastures and cattle farms, then circled. Ack through to Waimea to home. We got back around 3 and spent the rest of the day at the communities private beach club which was nice. We stopped and got take out then got home home and packed to,leave tomorrow to Maui.