Kilauea Caldera at Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park

It was a bit rainy and cold up at the summit, but we all had our chance to see an active volcano. The Halema`uma`u crater within the Kilauea caldera of Mauna Kea had smoke and steam billowing out of it, and as we drove around the park we were able to see steam vents in various areas, where rainwater sinks through the ground to rocks that are heated by the liquid rock beneath, releasing steam into the air.

Since Grandma's ankle was still bothering her, she stuck around in the car while the rest of us walked down underground through Thurston Lava Tube.

Later that evening, Jon, Evan and I drove out to the coast and were able to do a little night hike out on a lava flow where you could see the glow and steam of lava entering into the ocean.   It was amazing how dark it got at night, with the lava flow being completely black and having no light pollution nearby.

Driving to Hilo

On our drive over to the Hilo side of the island and the Dolphin Bay Hotel, we stopped by the World Botanical Gardens and the beautiful Umauma Falls.

Biggest Cinnamon Bun Ever

We started the day by visiting Island Lava Java for the biggest cinnamon rolls I’ve ever seen (they were tasty too), and a visit to the Na Kamalei Toddler Playground at Old Kona Airport.

Later we visited Wawaloli Beach Park, basically a huge shallow tidepool. It rests on a lava shelf so that the waves crash into the rocks at the far end, but there are no waves within the tidepool itself. Evan enjoyed a boogie board with a porthole in it that allowed him to check out the fish underwater.
 

We later took this and returned to Kahalu’u Beach where he could see some larger, more colorful tropical fish (and a sea turtle swimming along), and Grandma got to see St. Peter’s Church -- “The Little Blue Church”.
 

The Place of Refuge and St. Benedict's Church

Today we headed a bit south to St. Benedict’s Church in Honaunau, Hawaii: St. Benedict Catholic Church is also known as the Painted Church. This storybook picture church dates back to the 1800's. From 1899 to 1904 Father John Velge from Belgium painted the church which includes colorful frescoed ceilings and walls. The murals on the walls and ceilings depict many biblical scenes.

We then continued on to the Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park, called the Place of Refuge. Here in the national park you can walk through an ancient Hawaiian village and see firsthand how the kings of Hawaii once lived.

Snorkeling and Firenesia Luau

In the morning we gave grandma a break because her ankle had been bothering her.   We took a 5 minute drive down the street to one of the best snorkeling beaches on the big island, Kahalu'u Beach Park.  They had snorkels for rent, so Jon and I took turns snorkeling while we hung out with Evan.   We were lucky enough to see a sea turtle basking on the rocks, as well as lots of fish.   We liked this beach as much Hanauma on Oahu.

Firenesia was a very nice luau, the setting was beautiful on the grounds of the Sheraton on Keahou Bay. The food was delicious, including the kalua pork (pulled pork from a pig baked in a pit) and the weather was great. The fire dancing was amazing and kept Evan entertained.

The Glass Bottom Boat

Back when Grandma was a travel agent, she apparently booked someone for a tour on one of these things. It’s a great idea, you sit on a boat, and look through glass boxes built into the bottom of the boat. Like a cross between snorkeling and being at an aquarium.

We found a tour in Kailua-Kona through Kailua Bay Charter Co. aboard a 36-foot glassbottom boat called the Marian. Of all of us, Grandma was the only one who sat still staring through the bottom of the boat the entire time, and the only one who didn’t feel the slightest bit of seasickness.

Evan had fun learning how to drive a boat!

Traveling

Today was a travel day. We departed Oahu and took a flight over to the Big Island of Hawaii. Unfortunately, at some point in the past 24 hours, Grandma twisted her ankle. She did a fantastic job traveling today, but I think was a bit tired by the end of the day.

Our condo here was great. We had a two-bedroom townhome at the Keauhou Kona Surf and Racquet Club, in townhome 177. We were so close to the ocean that the first night we were there I didn't sleep very well. I felt as though we were on a boat and was convinced that the sea was raging and the waves were actually hitting the exterior walls of our condo. Once I woke up the next morning and was able to analyze the situation, I was able to see that the waves were not, in fact, hitting the condo at night, but that we actually had a significant blowhole situated in the rocks right outside of our condo. The remaining nights I slept pretty well after that, now that I knew what was the source of the sound. Jon slept great, as he loves white noise, so apparently he appreciated the ambiance. If you're ever looking for a place on the Big Island, I'd highly recommend this one. It was nicely decorated, plenty of room for 3 adults and a child, right on the water. It was affordable. The location couldn't be beat, a five-minute drive from a large grocery store and restaurants, some of the best snorkeling on the island and a nice luau.