As I previously mentioned at the conclusion of our last trip, Locke & I sensed that we would be coming back to Hawaii...I just didn't think it would be only 18 months later! When we were last on the Big Island, the goddess Pele was not cooperating and the lava not flowing in vast amounts for anyone to see.
Since then, a new episode of lava flows erupted and we were convinced that this would be a good opportunity for us to head back to Kilauea to catch a glimpse of Mother Nature at work...
Kona InternationalBesides Honolulu, there are now direct flights from California to Maui and Kailua-Kona. So, we fly direct to the Kona Coast on the leeward side of the Big Island. When we land, we notice some interesting cultural icons in the courtyards. The first is a hula statue, and I pull out my camera for a photo. I'm very inspired, since I just joined a halua hula (hula school) called Na Lei Hulu I Ka Wekiu in San Francisco. We then spot a large tiki statue in another courtyard and check it out. According to Hawaiian superstition, taking small items from Hawaii (i.e. tiki statues, lava, petroglyphs, etc) brings bad luck to the one who takes it. So, we opt for some pictures instead, make a reservation for tomorrow's helicopter flight and then get our rental car.
Geography
While the other Hawaiian islands are defined by their coasts (i.e. Coconut Coast, Leeward Coast, etc) or shore (for Oahu only) the Big Island is so large it is defined by districts (clockwise from Kona): South & North Kona, South & North Kohala, Hamakua, North & South Hilo, Puna, and Ka'u.
Map courtesy of Maui Real Estate.net
After our brief stop in Kamuela, we make the long trek along the Big Island's north coast and transition from West Hawaii's dry, leeward side into East Hawaii's rainy, windward side. Due to Mauna Kea, the transition happens fairly quickly and my memories of Hamakua are relentless rains for the rest of the drive into Hilo.
Hilo
We stop for lunch at Hilo Bay Cafe, our favorite restaurant on the Big Island. Since it's raining, there's not much to do, so we head out to the Puna District on the far eastern part of the Big Island.
The Puna District encompasses a lot of the agricultural farms in East Hawaii, but most visitors pass through it on their way to a single destination: Kilauea Crater and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Locke reserved a small cottage for rent near Kalapana on the coast and when we get there it is simply amazing! Architecturally, I'm quite intrigued and start snapping photos less from a tourist viewpoint, and more from a local perspective. The house is shaped like a triangle with a simple two-story open floor plan: kitchen/dining/living room downstairs and the bedroom and parlor upstairs.
Along with many homes in the Hawaiian islands, areas that have abundant rainfall utilize an interesting water system: your own water tank in the yard! It's actually very common in Hawaii given that there isn't other abundant water resources such as large underground aquifers (many parts of US), man-made lakes (Texas), rivers (Southwest US) or a huge snowpack (California) that many of us on the mainland side take for granted. Another intriguing note: since we're in Hawaii, why not grown your own pineapple in the yard, right? Yup, out in front, we had a few plants with immature pineapples growing!
>> Al
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