Arriving in Honolulu

I still have our week on the Big Island to write about from our last trip here, but I guess I'll get started on writing about this trip. We got in to Honolulu in the afternoon and headed off the the condo. We're getting pretty good at navigating around here now. Headed over to Ala Moana Mall for lunch in the food court (Jon and I even have our favorites there now), then back to the condo for a swim with Evan.

Last Day on the Big Island

Hung out at the local playground in Hilo. Drove around so Evan could get a nap in and made a couple of stops at Rainbow Falls, a place called Boiling Pots with Pe'e Pe'e Falls, and drove down Banyan Drive.

Then it was time for the very long trip home to Cleveland, via Honolulu and Houston.

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.