In late November and early December, we traveled to Hawaii with Hal's sister, Ann and her husband, Wayne. They had never visited any of the Hawaiian Islands, and we were happy to share this awesome experience with them!
We loved the beautiful views from the deck of our condo!
On our first full day on the island, we visited the Pu'ukohola Heiau National Historic Site. This site has one of the last and largest heiau (temples) built in Hawaii. These temples are sacred places used by native Hawaiians for worship. Constructed in 1790-91 by Kamehameha I, this heiau played a role in Kamehameha's ascendancy to power and unification of the Hawaiian islands. The temple and surrounding rock walls were all built without mortar.
We also stopped in Kapa'au, where the original statue of King Kamehameha stands.
Our next site was the Pololu Valley Lookout.
Views of the ocean are spectacular here.
Our trip back to Kona took us through beautiful Parker cattle ranch country where VERY happy cattle roam!
We also had views of the snow covered volcano - Mauna Kea.
You can even see some of the observatories that sit atop the summit.
We also enjoyed a beautiful Hawaiian sunset on our way home.
The next morning, we went to the Kona Temple for a session. This lovely temple is landscaped with tropical flowers, trees and plants.
Orchids
We changed clothes and headed for the north end of the island and to Waipio Valley Overlook.
The coastline and the valley are both postcard perfect!
Waipio Valley
Nearby, were beautiful flowers and trees.
We then drove to Akaka Falls State Park and took the short hike to see these falls with their 442 foot drop.
Then we drove to the small town of Honoka'a and ate lunch.
The food was good, but the portions were small.
The next day, we crossed the island and first visited Rainbow Falls. It was raining and the falls were in full bloom!
After seeing the falls, we drove into Hilo to eat at Ken's House of Pancakes.
The parking lot gets just a little flooded when it rains!
The crab cakes benedict and the macadamia nut pancakes are so yummy! (we actually ate breakfast/brunch at KHOP twice during this trip)
After brunch, we drove to the Black Sand Beach and overlook. On the way, we could see the steam from where the volcano pours hot lava into the ocean.
We took a short hike to see the black sand/lava beach.
The view from the beach
Ann and Wayne both love to collect rocks and shells. Wayne found some great coral and shell specimens on the beach.
We then drove to the Mauna Loa nut factory and enjoyed a few yummy samples!
On our trip back to the condo, we were again treated to views of snow capped volcanoes with pretty red wild flowers growing in the lava along the highway.
The next day, we traveled south to Kealakekua Bay where Captain James Cook was killed in a skirmish with native Hawaiians in 1779. The white obelisk monument in the photo below, memorializes his death.
From there, we traveled to Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Park.
This was the residence of the royal chiefs of the island. Also in this area, was the pu'uhonua or place of refuge for defeated warriors and those that had violated, kapu, or sacred laws.
Hal and Wayne are standing in front of the royal canoe landing.
Ann is seated on one of the many lava rock walls in the royal compound.
The beautiful ocean cove
These wooden images stand watch over the temple and mausoleum that once held the bones of 23 noble chiefs.
A pretty white bird on the property
That evening, we enjoyed lobster and shrimp for dinner.
The next day we got an early start and once again headed over the island to Hilo and enjoyed our second meal at KHOP (Ken's House of Pancakes). Then we drove to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Driving in to see the Halema'uma'u crater, we saw many place where steam was coming up through the lava and landscape.
Views of Hal, Wayne and Ann with the crater in the background.
Then we drove to see a lava tube.
To reach the tube, we hiked through some beautiful jungle terrain.
We also drove to South Point, the most southern spot of the USA!
Views of the coastline were beautiful!
We stopped for lunch at a little cafe that boasts that it is the most southern restaurant in the USA.
Their macadamia nut cream pie is absolutely delicious!!
On one of the evenings, we went to a luau at the royal Kona Hotel. The setting was beautiful as the sun set over the ocean.
We had a front row spot to watch the roasted pig taken from the imu.
The setting was lovely and the food was yummy.
After dinner, the show began. It featured hula dancing, and dances from many of the Polynesian islands.
It was a lovely evening!!
On another day, we drove south again to see the "Painted Church".
This church overlooks the ocean and is in a beautiful setting.
The church is called "The Painted Church" because of all of the lovely artwork inside on the walls and the ceiling of the chapel. The murals were painted using house paint by Father John Veghe in 1899. These paintings were used to help teach the stories of the Bible as well as to decorate the church.
We enjoyed so many delicious meals on the island and this one was no exception!
It was a great trip to an island paradise and we truly enjoyed sharing this time with Ann and Wayne!
Aloha!!
