Just two days before we depart to the Island of Hawaii, Kilauea decides to erupt and we wonder how that is going to affect our travel plans. We called around and found that since we are staying on the other side of the Island, we are safe. Even now it is only impacting about 10 miles of the Island of Hawaii. Only one activity is questionable and that is due to air restrictions which change continuously. Furthermore, if you have a vacation scheduled — Go! If you don’t have a vacation to the Island of Hawaii — Get it scheduled! For us, this is an adventure of a lifetime and we are going to go and experience everything we can. Great Adventure Awaits on The Island of Hawaii, here’s our recap!
United Club San Francisco Airport
The first leg of our flight took us into San Francisco for a 3+ hour layover. United has a great Club that we can enjoy, which is why we carry the United Credit Card. We grab free breakfast, a cup of coffee and settle into comfy chairs just waiting for our next flight. As I get comfy, I can’t help but think about what is happening on the Island. People being evacuated from their homes, continuous fissures opening, lava spewing, toxic gas and earthquakes/tremors all with no end in sight. I can only imagine what they must be experiencing. As we board our plane, it is only half full. The impact of the reports have apparently kept people from making the trip. This is unfortunate because the majority of the Island is not directly affected.
Landing in Kona
The approach into the Kona airport is incredible. There are areas very lush and green and then others that are nothing but black rock. In the sky we can see plumes of steam from the Kilauea volcano eruption. If we didn’t know better, we would think they are just clouds in a quiet sky. The air is clean here on this side of the Island and we are definitely thankful. The airport is open air is warm and inviting with the expected tropical feel. Relatively small, it is alive with activity as tourists and local get ready to live Island life. We grab our bags, look for our Roberts driver and head to our resort to settle in.
The Drive
The trip from the airport is not very far but is long due to the construction and traffic. It gives us a chance to take in the very unique scenery that makes up this relatively new Island. The lava creates the dark, hard rugged terrain which creates unique shapes. People are hiking across it as we drive by which I find very intriguing. As I look at the roughness, I can’t imagine how they don’t fall. Furthermore, It doesn’t look like an easy walk! The landscape changes once again as we enter the Kailua-Kona area. This quaint town is full of lush, green vegetation, unique trees and gorgeous flowers. The street is alive with activity, as people enjoy the shops, farmer’s market, restaurants and beach. The landscape is anything but boring as we try to take it all in.
Kona Reef Resort
Kona Reef is an older resort but our room was spacious with a great view of the pool and ocean. The amenities are limited but we don’t plan to spend much time there anyway. Way too much to see in a short time. The beaches are mostly lava rock, so if we want to swim, the pool is our option around the resort. We are situated within walking distance of downtown which gives us lots of food options. We have kitchen so we will do some cooking and there is a grill down by the pool. Using the refrigerator is a challenge as the door is on the wrong side but overall, it’s an okay place to stay.
Food & Drink
We discover a lot of amazing restaurants which are plentiful on the Island of Hawaii and in the Kailua-Kona area. Choosing is going to be difficult but we didn’t find many you wouldn’t enjoy! We Try to sample several during our stay. We found some to be better than others, check them out.
Bongo Ben’s Island Café
Hungry from the long trip here, we decided on Bongo Ben’s Island Café for our first meal. Situated just across the road from the water, we sat so we could overlook the ocean as the waves crash into the lava rock. It is busy, fun and you can’t help but get caught up in the energy of the people around you. First order of business, a Mai Tai to get into the Island spirit. Next, came food and we were delighted with our choices. Selecting the classic BLT, it was loaded with yummy goodies to satisfy our hungry tummies. The people are so friendly and before long we were chatting away with the people sitting next to us who lived on the Island year around. We also found that a gecko was very interested in us, so I captured a picture! New friends, good food/drink and great views. Who could ask for more to kick off the first night of our stay!
Kona Pub and Brewery
As we walked up to Kona Pub and Brewery, it looked busy! Not sure if we picked a good time to eat, we soon found out it wasn’t for the pub but rather for the brewery tour. Greeted by an enthusiastic “Aloha”, we were escorted to our table. Lush greenery is our backdrop, relaxation is upon us as we get ready to enjoy amazing beer and food. Due to the large brew selection, we struggled to choose. Finally, we settle on Duke’s Blonde Ale, Kanaha Blonde Ale and Lemongrass Luau. In addition, food choices create another challenge because everything on the menu sounds awesome. Careful deliberation completed, we choose Portuguese Lasagna, Pahoehoe Spicy Chicken Pizza and Naalehu Nachos with the Portuguese sausage. What a culinary delight as we experienced new and different flavors that exploded in our mouths. Definitely more food than we could eat in one setting. As a result we had leftovers which were just as good the second time around! Kona Pub fast became a favorite of ours — we came twice!
Humpy’s Big Island Alehouse
Taking a break from the activities, we decided to grab lunch at Humpy’s. Another great view of the ocean, we sit back, relax and enjoy salads and beer. I chose Humpy’s Bleu Cheese
Wedge and Dave selected the Classic Caesar Salad. Fresh, crisp and loaded with flavor they were the perfect choice on a warm day! The menu selections for both food and brews are extensive – glad we came with an empty stomach! Awesome service and the Island atmosphere made this a perfect lunch!
Huggio’s on the Rocks
We heard a lot about this restaurant and being close to the resort, we decided to try it for Mother’s Day. Unique in the fact you can sit on a chair in sand at the table, it is a great location. Truly up close and personal with the ocean. The problem is that everything is cooked on the same grill and the flavors intermingle. It limited my selections because I’m allergic to all seafood and what I ended up ordering really lacked flavor. I ordered tacos and rice and my husband ordered the taco salad. The meat was poorly seasoned, rice was bland and the salad shell was heavy in seafood flavored oil. It was expensive and the food didn’t live up to the price. Not on my recommended list.
Island of Hawaii Activities
First of all, we definitely needed more than a week on the Island of Hawaii in order to experience what it has to offer. Since that is all we had, we tried to vary the activities. The best part, even with all of the volcanic activity, all of our activities were open! Adventure awaits!
Captain Zodiac Raft Expedition
Captain Collin & Bryce got us in the Zodiac and prepared for a wild ride. This was an unforgettable experience as we roar across the ocean waters, launching across waves, turning at a moment’s notice and bouncing along on the side of the Zodiac. In addition, we encountered pilot whales, spinner dolphins and manta rays as part of this tour. Our 2-hour snorkel was in Kealakekua Bay home to the Captain Cook Monument. Captain Collin shared the history of Pele and Captain Cook as we explored caves and inlets during the Captain Zodiac “5-hour Beat the Crowd” adventure. We took a break enjoyed lunch, relaxed on the boat, laughed at the antics and stories while enjoying the beautiful scenery all around us. Captain Collin shared his secret to cutting a pineapple so we could enjoy a sweet treat. This adventure of a lifetime far exceeded our expectations and is one of my TOP 10 must do adventures!
Umauma Falls Zip Line Experience
Flying high above the river, over waterfalls and through a rain forest we can’t help but feel the energy of the Umauma Falls Zip Line Experience. We zipped 9 lines over 2 miles long where we could fly hands free! Hang upside down, turn 360 degrees as we take in this breathtaking area. The guides bring us into each platform with such ease and grace that I didn’t even notice I was landing! My heart did skip a beat a couple of time during this amazing zip experience. First of all, when I stepped off the highest platform and then again in the middle of the suspension bridge. It definitely made me feel alive and I wouldn’t have traded those moments for anything! I was a bit bummed we didn’t get to rappel but for safety reasons, it was cancelled. The water was dark, angry and unsettled. Next trip, we are definitely doing the waterfall rappel, river swim and the zip line! Definitely another one of my TOP 10 experiences of all time and we love to zip!
Safari Helicopter Volcano Safari
Due to the current volcanic activity, we scheduled a last minute Volcano Safari with Safari Helicopters. Our scheduled take off depended on the air restrictions in place at the time. Anticipation was high as we waited for clearance to fly over fissure 16 which was had opened just that morning. Once cleared, we rose to 4000-4500 feet and dodged clouds in order to get a view of the lava flowing from fissure 16. Our pilot, Mike, did a great job giving us ample opportunity to capture video and photos. We also saw the plumes in the distance, flew along the shoreline and over Macadamia nut fields. We were able to fly the surrounding area of Kilauea where you could see where lava had flowed in previous years eruptions. In comparison, the areas changed from black, hard rock to lush green fields, and beautiful coastline in just minutes. It left you speechless and in awe of this land.
Hike Volcanoes National Park
The hiking trails in the Park were closed to hikers due to the current volcano activity. However, we did drive Hwy 11 which took us technically through the National Park so we could experience some of the Park from the road. We climbed up on some lava rocks to view the plumes rising into the sky from the volcano. The smell of the air let us know we were in volcano area even without the signs. Being that close, you can’t help but feel the impact and devastation being caused by the earthquakes, Kilauea and the fissures that keep opening. This New York Times article really gives a clearer picture of what the communities in and around the volcano are experiencing.
Black Sand Beach
Sandy beaches are not in abundance on the Island of Hawaii, you need to search for them. Since we were already on Hwy 11, we decided to stop at Punaluu Black Sand Beach which is known to have Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles come onshore to rest. The first thing I notice is the sand is more like pulverized rock which reaches out and blends into the lava rocks. As the waves crash around the rocks, we notice a lone turtle up on the beach. At first, I wasn’t sure if it was real — it didn’t move! Impressed by how large it is, I still wanted to reach out and touch it. However, that is a real NO-NO. With a little patience, usually not my strong suit, it moved, blinked and lifted it’s head. Totally unaffected by all of us taking pictures, walking around and simply staring at it, nothing interrupted rest time! We did wonder how it made it to the beach with all the lava rock jutting up without hurting itself. Great place to have a family event and hang with turtles.
Green Sand Beach Hike
We love to hike and were told the best place to go was Papakolea Green Sand Beach. This turned out to be a 3-mile hike to the beach and 3 miles back out. We started out and got maybe only 1 mile into it and realized we needed better shoes. This hike can test even the most experienced hiker. We could have caught a bumpy ride on a transport vehicle but not sure I was ready for that adventure! To capture photos of the beautiful scenery along the way, the hike is the only way to go.
Pu’uhonua o Honaunau Snorkel
Snorkeling is a great way to immerse yourself in the local marine life. There are many options for exceptional snorkeling around the Island and this is one of them. The challenge is to avoid sea urchins as you enter the water from the lava rocks. I was a bit nervous and at one point wasn’t sure I could get in because the urchins were in the rocks close to the surface. Once in the water, we were so impressed with the variety of sea life and the amazing colors and textures. It is a bit of a drive, parking can be a challenge, however, it was so worth it as you can see in the following video.
Akaka Falls Hike
Ten miles down the road from Umauma Falls area, we stopped to get me a coconut before we checked out the next amazing waterfall. There was a small entrance fee but we parked outside of the main parking lot so we didn’t have to pay to park. Heading down the stairs into the lush vegetation, colorful flowers, intriguing trees we started the most amazing hike! The trail lead to first one waterfall and then the main attraction. This intense waterfall is probably one of these most amazing you will ever experience. Furthermore, standing in front of it, you feel it’s power. Awestruck, we gaze at the massive amount of water crashing to the pond below. As a result, it breathtaking!
Historical Sites
Hulihe’e Palace
The Royal Grounds of Hulihe’e Palace are beautifully breathtaking. Lush greenery with a multitude of unique trees and flowers adorn this area around the Palace that overlooks the water. Converted to a museum, we are able to walk the Palace and feel what it must have been like to live there during that historic time. Authentic items from this historic time bring to life this historic period. Built using “native lava rock, coral lime mortar, koa and ‘ohi’a wood, it was completed in 1838 by the Island of Hawaii’s second Governor John Adams Kuakini. Leave your shoes at the door and no photography to enter.
Mokuaikaua Church
Built one year prior to Hulihe’e Palace, this is the first stone church located on the Island of Hawaii. It is also the first Christian Church on the Island. Over 200 years old,
this Church boasts a long and lively history. Seated in the wooden pews, we can’t help but admire this simple, beautiful architecture. You feel the presence of God as you enjoy the music, message and Aloha within these walls. Contemporary and traditional services are available. Grab a seat cushion and a fan as it does get warm inside.
Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park
“The spirit of Kaloko-Honokohau was its life, the life that flowed in its land and the water that washed upon its shore. Like Hawaiians who found its presence elsewhere, the people of Kaloko-Honokohau let the spirit become part of their existence. They lived in such perfect harmony with it that they became a singular, total, and inseparable environment. From “The spirit of Kaloko-Honokohau”-1974”
As we walk past the thatched structure, we see people in the water with cameras ready. Crossing the beach at Kaloko-Honokohau National Park, you can’t help but notice signs with strict guidelines regarding sea turtles. Entering the water, I walk carefully so I don’t step on a sea turtle. They tend to blend in with the rocks and sand below. It doesn’t take long for me to see one swimming around. What an amazing experience to view these amazing creatures as they float with the waves.
Pu’ukohola Heiau
“The Temple on the Hill of the Whale” is a stone heiau constructed by King Kamehameha in 1790-1791 to honor his family war god Kuka‘ilimoku. Built according the strict guidelines, he would be able to conquer all of his enemies and fulfill his destiny to rule all the Hawaiian Islands. King Kamehameha was able to establish his island kingdom by 1810. Unable to walk up into the sacred structure itself, we stayed below and gazed in awe of what remains of this magnificent structure. On our journey around this sacred land, we discovered several smaller heiaus all with their own stories.
Ahu’ena Heiau
Ahu’ena Heiau is a religious temple established in 1812 to serve King Kamehameha. Now the center of political power, King Kamehameha and his biggest political advisors subsequently met
here every night. On May 8, 1819, King Kamehameha died here in the early morning hours. Under restoration, we were still able to walk the grounds, but not enter the Heiau. Sitting over the water, this historic piece of Hawaiian history is truly something to behold.
Adventure Grammy Recap
The Island of Hawaii is relatively young and very large. Since the Island of Hawaii is so big, you really need multiple visits so experience everything it has to offer. Each time you go, stay on different parts of the Island and enjoy the local flavor before you move on to the next one. It is really the only way to absorb the differences each area brings to life. If I share one thought with you regarding this trip, it would be this:
Aloha means more than just hello, goodbye, love and welcome. It is feeling, a connection and a way of life. It is the Aloha spirit that brings people together to truly experience the Island of Hawaii where before long you are Ohana!
Time to get your adventure on! Mahalo!