So, just got back from Hawaii. As always, started on the Big Island, Kona then to Hilo, then island hopped to Kauai.
Kona side;
Did my first helicopter ever (Blue Hawaiian) with my cousins, from Waikoloa (northwest side) across the island to the Pololu Valley and down the coast to Waipio. Phenomenal trip.
Waikoloa area has some great beaches, Hapuna always a top rated beach, good for families and swimming but like a lot of places in HI, you still have to be careful and don't go too far out. Just south of that is one of the great beaches to watch turtles, they're everywhere, it's just south of the Lava Lava Beach Club.
We had a great road trip to the north end of the island through the little town of Hawi, on our way to hike down the Pololu trail to the beach. It's got stunning views all the way around. At the top of the trail, you can see the valley and ocean coast below, and the black sand beach. This is water you don't want to go in past your waist, it's very dangerous, plus this time we were warned of jellyfish, although no one saw any. As we left Pololu, right up the road we found what became one of the talks of the trip. A little food stand called, Fresh Off the Grid, great poke bowls, ice cream, shave ice, the best banana bread I've had in life. This all sits in a really big fine grass field, crazy as it sounds, they have live music daily and it's all high above, and overlooking the ocean. Can't believe this setting, views and the food and desserts, true BI gem.
Snorkeled at my favorite place on the Kona side, Two Step (Honaunau Bay), also just north of that, kayaked across that bay to Capt. Cooks monument where he was killed.
Hilo side;
Making our transition over to the Hilo side, we went the long way around (instead of the Saddle Road) and stopped down to another great turtle spot and black sand beach, Punalu'u. Saw a lot of giant green sea turtles.
Stopped at a great little coffee shop and got more banana bread and pineapple bread.
We went to our families place in Hilo Bay and met up with relatives and spread my grandmother's ashes, that my uncle flew from Syracuse. Talk started among our resident cousins about Kilauea and seeing lava closer than the tourists get to, then pics came out, I was sold. Now I just wanted to see who wanted to go with me. Everyone opted out, except my one cousin who also flew out there from Syracuse and is always been down for a good adventure.
Next morning we all go down to the Hilo Farmers market, my grandmothers favorite thing to do. We get a bunch of fresh fruits, juices etc.
We wait until night time, then head to VNP and Kilauea. Like instructed got to the parking lot not before 9pm. Him and I with flashlights and headlamps followed the directions I had put in my notes on my phone. We had to navigate some giant cracks from previous eruptions. At last I saw live lava better than I've ever seen. My cousin, as most of my relatives have seen it just a few feet away flowing or dumping into the ocean etc. This wasn't anywhere near that, but it was still one of the best things I've ever witnessed.