Kona - Hawi and Pololu Valley

In a marked change from the usual volcano generated Island weather, Kona Winds blow in a storm from the Pacific.

Kona winds usher in a storm from the Pacific

The guys are up early and explore the nearby Ke'eku Heiau which is now being restored as a Native Hawaiian Cultural Center. Although now yet open to the public, the tide is low enough to afford a sneak peak. The economic downturn and subsequent decrease in tourist business has allowed the Native Hawaiian Cultural groups to take back sacred sites around Keauhou. They are in the process of demolishing the former Outrigger Hotel (a neighboring Sheraton was previously demolished over 10 years ago) to expand their Cultural Center. Since the Outrigger borders delicate fish ponds, this demolition takes more planning and time to complete.

Jamie wades through the low tide

Tiki guarding Ke'eku Heiau

To avoid the building storm, we head north up the Kona Gold Coast, home of several large resorts, in search of sunny weather. Kua Bay is our first stop to check out the beach and see whales not far off the shoreline.

Paul points out whales

Suzy enjoys whale watching

Storm builds to the south

We decide to return to Kua Bay later once the weather improves. Moving further north, we stop to check out A Bay ('Anaeho'omalu Bay) and then have lunch at the food court in Queen's Shops at the Waikoloa Beach Resort.

A young girl enjoys feeding Koi

Peter enjoys an ice cream cone

Marti enjoys watching the Koi

Back on the road northward, Paul shows us another snorkel put in at Puako.

Snorkel put in

Suzy finds an interesting shell

Jamie and Suzy explore the reef and tide pools

Just north is our favorite beach - Hapuna. With the rainy weather, Hapuna is mostly deserted except for a group of teenagers working on a sand sculpture of a mermaid riding a seahorse.

The artists

head of seahorse and mermaid

and their tails

We finally find sun (and no wind) in Hawi, an former sugar plantation town which has retained many of it's original buildings. Our favorite is the Tropical Dreams Ice Cream shop.

Aloha Man Surf shop

The Kohala Hotel and Restaurant

Paul and Suzy enjoy ice cream

Hawi is a fun place to wander around to take in some of the local flavor in addition to ice cream.

Jamie's former old Rambler?

Jamie, Castro, and Paul

"Gentle" Needle?

The road stops at the Pololu Valley (long spear) Lookout. This valley is one of three parallel valleys - Pololu, Honokane Nui and Wiapio facing north. All three valleys were once the home of taro farmers. However, after the large destructive tsumani generated from the 1964 Alaskan earthquake, all three valleys are now very sparsely populated. The hike down to the black sand beach is a fun trip, but the day is getting too late, so we simply enjoy the view.

Lush vegetation on north side of Big Island

Pololu Lookout

Old surfers survey the waves

Cliffs and black sand beach

A meandering stream works it way down the valley

Warning signs at trail head

Despite the dangers, it's a beautiful valley home to many native birds.

Yellow-billed Cardinal

Saffron Finch

We take one last look before heading back to Keauhou via the Kolaha Mountain Road.

Pololu Valley

Kona - 2013 Spring Trip

With Alaska Airlines direct flights to Hawaii from San Jose being such a good deal, we coordinate with friends to return to the Islands. Our Corralitos house serves as a gathering place for Hawaiian adventures.

David shows off his new Maui hair style

Peter, Jamie, and David have fun on the Internet

Suzy shares quality time with Toby

Our flight for the Kona side of the Big Island leaves SJC at 7am, meaning an EARLY trip through security for a 6:30am boarding.

All aboard before dawn

Excitement builds even without much sleep

Dawn over the Pacific

With a strong Jet Stream headwind, the flight lasts an extra hour than usual. Still we are happy to land at KOA. After picking up a rental car, we have our usual welcome back lunch and ice cold schooners at the Harbor House, then leave baggage at the Keauhou condo and head back to Costco and the Farmers' Market to stock up. Once settled, we explore the Keauhou area on foot.

Our first turtle sighting at the harbor

Keauhou Canoe Club

The guys play in the local surf and return just in time for our first Kona sunset.

Jamie and Peter in the last of the sun's warm rays

Marti catches the sunset

The next morning dawns clear with a large swell breaking over the lava rocks below our lanai.

View from lanai

Peter relaxes in condo

Peter and I attend to business during the day, while Jamie and Suzie go play with Paul, an old friend and colleague who lives in South Kona.

Allie and Marti at the Kona Inn for lunch

A gecko warms up in a light in a stair raiser

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Paul works part time with Jack's Diving Locker. He treats Jamie and Suzie to one of his favorite snorkel locations by the Place of Refuge.

Snorkel entry

Small male fish wait for mates in their nests

The Place of Refuge (Pu'uhonua), now a National Park, is one of the most visited locations in the Kona area and with good reason. The old Hawaiians were governed by strict code of laws called Kapu (forbidden). Violating Kapu, which was could be as easy as touching the shadow of a chief, meant death unless the violator made it to Pu'uhonua before his/her pursuers. Pu'uhonua also protected civilians during times of war.

Tiki's guard Pu'uhonua

Pu'uhonua is built like a fortress

Old style outrigger canoe built out of koa wood

Close up of canoe

At day's end, we all meet back at the condo for pupus (appetizers) from Da Poke Shack, drinks and dinner.

Even the gecko's are hungry

Hummm.... some clouds seem to be moving in.