Category: States

Last day in Hawai’i

So our vacation is almost over. We flew from Hilo to Honolulu to spend one last afternoon at Waikiki.

Flying to Honolulu we flew past Haleakalā. The observatories are visible here.
Flying south of Molokai. The city visible here is Kaunakakai.
Honolulu.
This is a typical lower income apartment complex. Water heater, washing machine and sink are outside.
We had lunch here, per recommendation from our granddaughter.
The view from our table.
Relaxing.
Crab sandwiches.
Four cheese pizza with honey.
This arrangement is in the lobby of the Halekulani Hotel.
One final look at Waikiki Beach.
One final look at Diamond Head.
One final sunset at Waikiki.
Honolulu and Diamond Head profile as we are leaving in the plane. Goodbye Hawai’i!!

Banyan Drive

Hilo HI

Banyan Drive in Hilo is a street lined with banyan trees, many were planted by famous people. These banyan trees are quite interesting. The hanging aerial roots are pretty strong – I pulled on a couple and there was no give at all. I can imagine Tarzan swing from tree to tree grabbing these roots!

Large banyan tree. Those are hanging roots.
Planted by First Lady Pat Nixon in 1972.
Amelia Earhart planted this tree in 1935.
Babe Ruth planted this tree in 1933.
England’s King George V planted this tree in 1934.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt planted this tree in 1934.
Large monkeypod, or hitachi tree.

Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Visitor Center

Keaau HI

The is the largest macadamia nut producer in the world. It is located just outside Hilo,
Hundreds of rows of macadamia nut trees line Macadamia Road on the three mile drive leading to the visitor center and processing plant.
At the visitor center there is a garden to stroll through. This is a plumeria.
Pink hibiscus.
Red hibiscus.
Tiger lily.
Red ginger.

Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park

There are two active volcanoes in the Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park – Mauna Loa and Kilauea. Much of Mauna Loa is closed to visitors due to recent eruption. Kilauea last erupted in October 2023, but there is still a lot of smoke coming out of the crater.
This is the state flag of Hawai’i. The Union Jack (British flag) is used because Britain supported King Kamehameha I when he united the Hawaiian islands in 1793. The eight stripes represent the eight major islands of Hawai’i.
These are steam vents. The early morning was very dark and rainy, which accented the steam.
More steam vents.
This is the northern edge of the Halema‘Uma‘U Crater on the Kilauea volcano. Here also, the steam is more pronounced because of the cool, dark and rainy weather.
The center of Halema‘Uma‘U Crater.
Looking toward the southern rim of Halema‘Uma‘U Crater.
This is the entrance to the Thurston Lava Tube.
The tube is fairly tall – I did not have to crouch at all to walk through the tube.
Just enough light to see my way through the tube.
Kilauea Iki crater.
Close up of Kilauea Iki crater.
Hikers in the Kilauea Iki crater.
After the sun came out, we went back to the Halema‘Uma‘U Crater. With the sun out and temperature rising, the smoke was not as pronounced.
Close up of Halema‘Uma‘U Crater.
Southern rim of Halema‘Uma‘U Crater.
From the Volcano House, to the northeast of the Kilauea caldera, this was a pretty impressive view of Halema‘Uma‘U Crater.
Zooming in to Halema‘Uma‘U Crater from Volcano House.
We were here!