Big Island 05-20-23

[slip]

The old Kona airport has a small botanical walk, very flat easy walking, managed by local folks. The beach there has nice tidepools with picnic tables if you grab lunch to go in town, easy parking with restrooms.

Mahalo, we may make a stop. We are going be carrying some food when we go out and about.

 

[slip]

You're in a great spot. That resort is quiet and comfortable. If you want to give the manta ray trip folks a land-based idea of what they'll be doing, head down the street to the Sheraton around Happy Hour, and hang out on their viewing lanai after dark. They point a big light out into the water to attract the plankton, and that attracts hungry mantas. You can see them from the lanai. It's a free thing.

Dave

Mahalo, We may do this. When we get back from wandering about today.

 

[slip]

The restrooms were destroyed by fire so there are no longer facilities at the park:

Fire destroys only working bathrooms at Old Airport Beach Park in Kailua-Kona | Big Island Now

The fire occurred just months after a public-private partnership with the Kona community worked on painting and replacing the roofing of the bathrooms facility at Old Airport Beach Park.

bigislandnow.com

We'll keep this in mind.

 

[slip]

Yesterday we parked in Kona and walked around. They had a portion of the road blocked off for a craft type fair. We did a lot of walking. Kim did really well. She slowed down toward the end but we came to the parking lot quickly and I when pointed it out, she couldn't believe we were almost there. That picked up her confidence and she was able to walk a little quicker then.

After that we decided to drive north a bit and ended up in Waikoloa. Lots of new development up there since the last time we were there about 12 years ago. We pasted by Paniolo Greens. We were going to grab lunch up there but there wasn't much open so we headed back down to Kona.

Today we are heading to The Volcano. We are going to check out the park and then go back Wednesday evening but we will get the lay of the land a little bit during daylight first. We'll probably head into Hilo for dinner then head back.

Here's a few pictures from yesterday.

 

[ScoopKona]

Today we are heading to The Volcano.

Depending on the route you take, it is absolutely worth it to make a detour to South Point, which is one of my favorite places on the planet. Look South, and realize there is nothing between you and the nearest land-based lifeform -- a penguin. There's a nice cacao farm on the way to South Point as well -- worth a stop to buy chocolate.

 

[slip]

Depending on the route you take, it is absolutely worth it to make a detour to South Point, which is one of my favorite places on the planet. Look South, and realize there is nothing between you and the nearest land-based lifeform -- a penguin. There's a nice cacao farm on the way to South Point as well -- worth a stop to buy chocolate.

I think we will drive south to go there and go to Hilo, then come back over the Saddle Road.

 

[geist1223]

That will be a long day.

 

[slip]

That will be a long day.

4 hours of driving.

 

[ScoopKona]

I think we will drive south to go there and go to Hilo, then come back over the Saddle Road.

That's how I usually do it. Every visitor wants to see the volcano -- even though they closed all the best viewing spots off.

 

[slip]

We went to Volcano National Park today. We headed south and came up from the south. It was a long scenic drive. We left at 10am and got home at 7pm.

No lava flowing but still a lot to see. It was everyone's first time there. See the steam, craters and lava tube was all great. We had an awesome time and everyone enjoyed it all very much.

Afterwards, we headed into Hilo for a dinner at Ken's House of Pancakes. Then we finished out the day with a ride over the saddle road home.

My friend and my wife go for the Manta Ray Snorkel tomorrow. So we hope that all goes well.

Here's some pictures from the ride and Volcanos National Park.

 

[slip]

I'll have some more pictures and a few short videos from Volcanoes National Park tomorrow. Here's some more pictures now.

 

[geist1223]

When we go to The BI next January/February for 3 weeks we will be spending 3 nights at KMC inside the Volcano National Park.

 

[SmithOp]

The shave ice there across from the ABC store in old Kona town is one of our favorite stops, you can get it with a scoop of ice cream in the middle. We park in the free lot just up the side street from the ABC store. We sit on the sea wall and people watch. Glad you caught the craft fair when the street is closed.

Kens in Hilo is another of our go to stops, as well as the Big Island Candies for dessert. Then a nice walk in the park by the bay, Queen L. Park and gardens.

The Volcano House across from the visitor center in the park has a nice restaurant for lunch with an expansive view of the crater. We have stayed at KMC also, and hiked the rim trail out to the Jaeger, shame it's closed now after the eruption a few years ago.

 

[ScoopKona]

I'll have some more pictures and a few short videos from Volcanoes National Park tomorrow. Here's some more pictures now.

Are the steam vents still full of money? I swear, next time I have to haul visitors to the volcano, I'm bringing a grabber and collecting all the soggy, sulfurous lucre.

 

[slip]

Are the steam vents still full of money? I swear, next time I have to haul visitors to the volcano, I'm bringing a grabber and collecting all the soggy, sulfurous lucre.

Yep, still have coins in there.

 

[slip]

When we go to The BI next January/February for 3 weeks we will be spending 3 nights at KMC inside the Volcano National Park.

Well worth it. You will enjoy it.

 

[slip]

The shave ice there across from the ABC store in old Kona town is one of our favorite stops, you can get it with a scoop of ice cream in the middle. We park in the free lot just up the side street from the ABC store. We sit on the sea wall and people watch. Glad you caught the craft fair when the street is closed.

Kens in Hilo is another of our go to stops, as well as the Big Island Candies for dessert. Then a nice walk in the park by the bay, Queen L. Park and gardens.

The Volcano House across from the visitor center in the park has a nice restaurant for lunch with an expansive view of the crater. We have stayed at KMC also, and hiked the rim trail out to the Jaeger, shame it's closed now after the eruption a few years ago.

We always thought it was a little strange to go to Hawaii and have Scandinavian Shave Ice but it was really good.

 

[ScoopKona]

Yep, still have coins in there.

Tourists are getting stingy. Last time I was there it was at least $50 in bills.

 

[slip]

Tourists are getting stingy. Last time I was there it was at least $50 in bills.

Nope, no bills.

 

[slip]

Some links to some short videos.

 

[slip]

Today we just went to the hot tub and swimming pool for some relaxing. My friend and Kim have the Manta Ray Snorkel tonight so we are just going to BBQ some hamburgers this afternoon and take them up for their adventure.

Here's some more pictures from yesterday. It's still a little cloudy but it's nice sitting on the lanai right now.

 

[slip]

More from the Volcano visit.

 

[slip]

Here's some from the Lava Tube. Kim was so proud to be a le to walk through this Lava Tube. I think it was the highlight for her.

 

[DaveNV]

Great pictures! Did you stop at the Black Sand Beach at Punalu'u? Seeing honu there is always a nice thing.

Dave

 

[slip]

Great pictures! Did you stop at the Black Sand Beach at Punalu'u? Seeing honu there is always a nice thing.

Dave

No, we didn't. I asked if they wanted to stop but I think everyone wanted to get to the Volcano.

We still have tomorrow with no plans so we'll see.