A Month in Kona - hanging out

After the first 10 days, the usual stay for us, we find ourselves relaxing more and just taking life day by day. We are no longer in a frenzied rush trying to see and do as much as we can in the time we have on the island. Instead, we fall into doing many of activities we do on the mainland, such as, hiking, and visiting interesting places.

Hike on fire road behind Puako housing with view of clouds building on Kohala

At the end of Puako Beach Road on the Mauna Lani Resort property is the Puako Petroglyph Field, with over 1200 petroglyphs. One large panel has over a hundred human petroglyphs with most of the heads pointing to Mauna Kea. These are thought to indicate a religious reverence to the volcano... or maybe commemorate a battle or large ceremony. No one actually knows for sure, but it's fun to speculate about what the early Polynesians were thinking.  

Petroglyph trail marker

Viewing platform to main panel

Man

paddles to island

meets woman

and raises child

Goats were introduced in 1700's by Cooke's voyages

Aloha goat

Goats enjoying green grasses after the rains

One evening we go to the Mauna Kea Resort to enjoy the sunset.

Mauna Kea Hotel and Beach - photo looks an old postcard

Possible snorkel location?

On a day that's not good for the beach, we drive to the Kalopa State Recreation Area on the windward side of the island north of Hilo. We've come to see old growth Ohia trees and what the forests may have looked like BH (before humans).

Beginning of Nature Trail

Lots of large trees

really big trees

Monster philodendron vines

which grow up large trees

Ferns, large and small, are everywhere

Wild Orchids

Wild Orchid

Native hibiscus

After the hike we drive to the Waipio Valley Overlook, where Peter's excellent parking karma continues to serve us well. Even though the parking lot is packed with tourists, we find a good spot.

Waipio Overlook on a cloudy day

On a bad beach day, we finally drive up Mauna Kea for the first time despite being on the island many times before. Turns out this day isn't the best time to go. The fog is so thick we can't see much of anything. Next time we'll book a night tour well in advance and hopefully get a clear night to see the stars up at the observatories.

Yes - of course, we have to look at real estate.  Much to our surprise we find a house we fall in love with,  but to buy it we would have to sell out of California.  After talking and thinking about it we have to face the fact, we really aren't ready to make this kind of leap yet. Still we are tempted by Puu Lani Ranch and South/North Kohala.

Puu by Puu Lani Rance

Wild turkeys at Puu Lani

Makani Golf Club

Makani Golf Club

Kohala Ranch

Fancy shore front house on Mauna Kea Resort

Julie arrives back home day or two before we have to return to the mainland. We tell her about finding a Konane board out on the reef. We try to find it again to show her, but can't. Instead Julie shows us a petroglyph indicating this part of the reef is good for spear fishing. 

Good spear fishing here

Peter at petroglyph

Yet another pretty Puako sunset

Spectacular double rainbow

Of course the day we leave the weather is absolutely gorgeous.

Good-bye Mauna Kea

Good-bye Mauna Lao

Good-bye Maui view

So what did we learn staying on the island for a month?

First to answer the question that we get asked the most "Are we moving to the Big Island?"
The short answer is no... at least, not yet. We did find a house that made us think hard about selling out of California, but we're not ready to make this kind of move. Still, we do like the northern part of the island on the Kona side. It's less populated with fewer tourists (if you stay away from the resorts).

Lava Man community cycling event

Over the years of visiting Hawaii and watching people come and go, we've noticed that those who stay and make Hawaii their home are the ones who become more involved with the local community, such as, canoe clubs, gardening, hiking, church and other groups. Those who just sit around and don't get involved tend to not stay long or end up as alcoholics.

On one trip, we met a couple from the Midwest on an airport shuttle. They were moving to Kailua Kona after selling out of their mainland home. In fact, they had bought a house they had only ever seen online.  They were excited about getting to see it for the first time in person.  Over the years, we've wondered how things worked out for them - if they liked the house and if they stayed.  We would never recommend moving to Hawaii like this.  I can only hope it worked out for them.