Carol & David's Hawaiian Adventure
Part I -- November 1998, Carol and David enjoyed an Hawaiian Adventure.
The first day's view from our balcony.
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The last day's view from our balcony.
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Kona Coast on the Big Island of Hawaii
12 hours after leaving our door, we were staying at the Kona Surf Resort and Country Club in a room overlooking the surf and a salt-water pool on Kona. A beautiful view except for the June Gloom weather; the sun only came out on the last day in Kona. The hotel has a lavish garden complete with waterfall and koi pond in the center and viewable from their dining facilities. Built on an old lava flow, it has gardens on one side that lead to the beach. But being first timers, everything on the island competed for our attention.
Where is the little grass shack???
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Maori dancers.
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Kona Coast on the Big Island of Hawaii
At one of the strip malls, we stopped to enjoy the performances of the local Hula Academy. From 5 to 18 years old, the dancers treated shoppers to the variety of dances from the islands and beyond. A 7 year old boy with very expressive hands did a Maori dance complete with killing stick and offering. He was later joined by three older boys. While the older girls were doing a step with a hip bump, one of the girls lost her hula skirt. The younger girls concentrated on their steps to the exclusion of smiles.
Lava and ferns.
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Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island of Hawaii The scenery along the road ranged from little towns among the foliage, to agriculture and jungle, or to desolate lava with sparse trees and lichens.
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What a smell.
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Just a small portion of the caldera.
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Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island of Hawaii
Taking the Crater Rim Drive at the park, we stopped to see sulphur vents and got a whiff of volcanic steam.
Uwekahuna Bluff gave us a view of the Kilauea Caldera (home of Mademe Pele, the Volcano goddess). When Mark Twain visited this spot, the caldera was a lake of boiling lava. Now the lava flows down lower on the side of the volcano.
The ferns dwarf David.
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The endangered Nene drop by for a visit.
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Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island of Hawaii
After visting the Jaggar Museum to learn about different kinds of lava, we stopped at the Thurston Lava tube. A short trail took us to the 450 foot long tube for the walk through. When we came out on the other side, we were treated to a beautiful fern forest for the walk back.
Before we left the park, Hawaiian geese (Nene) came up to the car.
Akaka Falls
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Akaka Falls State Park on the Big Island of Hawaii near Hilo On the way into the park, we saw a couple of mongoose dashing across the road in front of our car. After parking and walking down many stone steps, we meandered on a loop trail through lush plants. From the trail, we enjoyed the 420 foot Akaka Falls.
Also viewable from the loop trail was the 400 foot Kapuna Falls.
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Kapuna Falls
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David checks out the shade of the Banyan Tree.
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The rocky beach of Lahaina.
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Lahaina, Maui
We journeyed to Lahina for shopping. The Palani Highway took us through sugarcane fields, past a sea turtle wetland, around Ma'alaea Bay, and by lava cliffs covered in chain-link fencing to keep eroding lava off the roads before exiting near old Lahaina Prison. We walked to the Courthouse where Mark Twain planted a Banyan Tree in 1873. The tree, recognized by its great size and aerial roots which grow downward from horizontal branches, covers a city block. Continuing down Front Street, we shopped our way down past the wharf and seawall.
It's hard to see my teeth chattering.
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Maui's National Volcano Park
We drove to the top of Haleakala (House of the Sun). At the 10,023 foot summit of Maui's National Volcano Park, the temperature was a brisk 45 degrees and was made even more chilling by our lack of jackets. Haleakala is a dying volcano where erosion is winning and the caldera is as large as Manhattan.
The park's view to the North was obscured by the June gloom with only the tip of the island's other mountain range peaking through. The switchback road to the top attracts bicycle riders for the downhill ride; 38 miles to the bottom but you only pedal 400 yards.
Continue the adventure with Part II
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Page last updated February 6, 1999
