This Makes Me Laugh: Big Island Style!

When J and I traveled to Hawaii in January we were able to spend a few days on the Big Island before heading to Maui, where our vacation was actually planned. Problem was, the Big Island had totally won us over...so we decided to go back this past April and hang for a week on the Kona side, chilling with friends and exploring new places.

In Kona, we visited Kona Brewing. Twice. They have some great brews, surprising awesome and flexible food choices, and a really nice outdoor seating area where one can sit and relax.
J and I also hiked to some petroglyphs that were preserved near where we were staying.
We drove up the beautiful Saddle Road (also somewhat eerie at times) to the visitor's center at Mauna Kea (the observatories for which it is known for are at the very top). There we watched a video about both the observatories and the land, watched the sunset from above the clouds, and stargazed. We also learned about "invisible cows."
Possibly one of my favorite days was when we set out to hike down to Kealakekua Bay, where Captain Cook landed in Hawaii. The hike down was easy enough (but back up it was rather strenuous). When we arrived at the bay we found the Captain Cook monument, lots of kayakers and hikers lounging underneath the trees of the rocky area, and snorkelers enjoying the pristine water.
After our hike back out at noon we headed to Pu'uhonua o Honaunau. We didn't actually park there, though, as that beach has a fee and we were more interested in the snorkeling than the beach. It turns out, just immediately before the entrance fee area to the beach there is another one way turn off where you have access to an incredibly rocky beach area. Sunbathing this is not. But J and our friend Justin swam with Spinner dolphins while I watched a green sea turtle (honu) lounge around in a tide pool.
After that, traditional Hawaiian shave ice at Scandinavian Shave Ice in Kona. Side note...awesome pretzel place just around the corner!
J and I have an affinity for the tiny town of Hawi, so we took one day to drive up and visit. Drinks at the Lighthouse Liquor and Deli and a short stroll around town and we decided to go snorkeling. It was really my first time, minus an ill fated dip in Kauai a few years ago. We first stopped at Kapa'a Beach, where we watched one couple jump in and out of the water between waves at a very rocky outcropping. Not really my thing, so we drove just south of there to Mahukona Beach, which is really an abandoned sugar company and harbor. It was a great first snorkel, and actually quite beautiful. Apparently there is even a ship underwater you can snorkel and check out. We didn't find it unfortunately! We then crashed Hapuna Beach, in a way. We actually learned we went to beach 69 (named so because it is found at mile marker 69). It is part of Hapuna and was really quite stunning. We just decided to sit and enjoy the view there.
Our longest day involved driving from Kona side all the way through Hilo and down to Kalapana to meet for the lave flow hike that takes you to the "shore" created by molten lava flowing into the sea. The drive started off winding through Waimea and on to Honokaa where Tex's Drive-In is located. They are known for their malasadas (Portugese pastries). We had guava and custard. So amazing! We had these last time we were on the Big Island and were pretty much all we could talk about the night before our drive. After that we checked out Akaka Falls which are 442 or 443 ft tall (different signs say different heights). Either way, the Akaka is a gorgeous free-falling waterfall that was amazing to see. We then stopped in Hilo, with our malasadas wearing off, and ate at Lucy's Taqueria (another place we were treated to by Maria the first time we arrived). We met up again with Jorge, our trusty papier-mache order/table holder. Then it was a drive down to Lava Tree State Park, a small park but beautiful nonetheless...especially the drive in where the road is canopied by beautiful, tall, umbrella-like trees. The climax was the hike over the lava flows to the sea. It took about an hour and a half, after which we played on the lava flows (super sharp, 50% silica rock!) and watched the sunset over the awesome power of fire and water. We hiked out by the light of the full moon and our flashlights. Bonus: we were able to drive the winding, hilly, foggy Saddle Road through the interior of the island for a second time...this time in the pitch dark!

Our last day was spent at a black sand beach on the Kona side with our fabulous friend Maria. We returned all of our rentals and sat down for dinner at the Lava Lava Club at A-Bay, which is becoming a another tradition. Afterwords, Maria treated us out to a night at the Blue Dragon, a very local, very fun and hippie restaurant and live music venue. It was the perfect toast to a perfect trip. :)

View the scrapbook below! :)

Petroglyphs.

Foggy Saddle Road, leading us through the interior of the island to Mauna Kea.

Get your red lights on, you astronomers! (At the Mauna Kea Observatory Visitor's Center.) Oh, and it's cold...the top of the mountain is 13,786 ft.

Climbing above the clouds to the Visitor's Center in Mauna Kea.

Hiking the trail down to Kealakekua Bay....goats!

Finally made it to the refreshingly perfect and crystal clear water. Yep, that is a school of bright yellow fish.

J and Sir Francis at the Captain Cook Memorial.

J cooling off in the perfect water (did I say perfect already?)

I was in my element...so very happy to be there. :)

On to Pu'uhonua o Honaunau...this is from J's pics: a pod of Spinner dolphins...it was so exciting!

My little friend that was chilling in the tide pool, just happy being a turtle.

Shaved ice after our long day.

J and I had a northwestern Big Island adventure. After visiting Hawi we snorkeled at Mahukona.

This wasn't from Mahukona, but we had forgotten the GoPro, so I am substituting a picture from a rocky spot just north of the very busy Kahaluu Beach Park.