Category: States

Island of Hawai’i Eastern Shore

We left Waikoloa Village on the northwest shore, headed for Hilo on the eastern shore.

Waikoloa Village.
The view of Mauna Kea from across a lava field.
There is a lot of agriculture on the island of Hawai’i. We saw a quite a few cattle farms. We were told that the primary crops on the island are tropical flowers and fruits. Early this morning, we drove through some rain and low clouds.
After a morning drive of almost an hour and a half, the payoff: Waipiʻo Valley Lookout in Waimea HI.
Close up of Kaluahine Falls.
The cove at Laupāhoehoe Point.
Laupāhoehoe Point.
The turbulent waves at Laupāhoehoe Point this morning.
Rough waves on the rocks!
Another lovely bunch of coconuts.
Saffron finches at ‘Akaka Falls State Park.
Similar to the hike to Manoa Falls, the hike to ‘Akaka Falls was steep and in the jungle.
Bamboo.
Banyan tree.
‘Akaka Falls is 442 feet tall, about twice the height of Niagara Falls. And it had a bit of a rainbow!
Bird of paradise.

Kailua-Kona

Island of Hawai’i

The north and west side of the island of Hawai’i is mostly lava. The landscape is black.
The McDonald’s in Hawai’i have a few menu items we do not have on the east coast: Taro Pie, Portuguese Sausage, SPAM and Rice.
So we went into this submarine for an underwater tour.
At this depth, there is no color, so this coral looks colorless, but it would be colorful if it was up at sea level.
Shipwrecks from the 1990s.
Seaweed on the sea floor.
The sea floor.
This is the deepest we have ever been!
We are rising!
Leaving the submarine.
Reconstruction of King Kamehameha’s home.
Kamakahonu Beach.
Moku‘aikaua Church, the oldest Christian church in the Hawaiian islands. The congregation dates back to the 1820s, and this building was constructed in 1837.
Hulihe‘e Palace, the vacation home for Hawai’i’s royalty built in 1838, and the last royal home of King Kamehameha I.

Lava Lava Beach Club

ʻAnaehoʻomalu Beach, island of Hawai’i

We made it to our fifth island – Hawai’i! The Big Island! So we relaxed with dinner at the Lava Lava Beach Club.
Very relaxed, beach atmosphere.
Sunset at ʻAnaehoʻomalu Beach.
Cool distance markers.
So Windoek, Namibia is the furthest place on earth from Hawai’i – 19,490 miles!
Live entertainment.

Haleakalā Sunrise

Haleakalā National Park

Going to the summit of Haleakalā is supposed to be an amazing experience, and being at the summit to watch the sunrise is the #1 thing to do on the island of Maui. So we left our B&B at 1:30 AM to drive 3+ hours to get a good spot. Sunrise was expected at 6:20 AM.
This is the route we drove to get to the top of Haleakalā. The payoff was worth it!
This is the view from the summit of Haleakalā at 5:40 AM.
6:02 AM.
6:14 AM.
Clouds look like water rushing over the hilltops.
6:19 AM – sunrise! This is Psalm 19:1 – The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Perfect!
6:21 AM.
Observatories at the Haleakalā summit.
Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope.
In the distance, Mauna Kea (left) and Mauna Loa on the island of Hawai’i.
The moon sets in the west as the sun rises over Haleakalā. You can see Haleakalā’s shadow in this picture.
One of the views as we descend Haleakalā.
Silverswords are extremely rare, and they are found only on the summit areas of Haleakalā, Mauna Kae and Mauna Loa. They live between 3 and 90 years or more. They flower once, sending up a spectacular flowering stalk, and then die soon afterward, scattering drying seeds to the wind. They are quite striking with their silvery leaves.
Mauna Kea from the Kahului airport.