Whale Watching, Temples and Dancing

Yesterday (Thursday, Feb 26) we were out bright and early to go whale watching on a 65 foot long catamaran with Ocean Sports. We did see whales, including two different mother-baby duos with escorts. Not that I could get a decent picture of anything as my camera was too slow. We were never really close but did get within 30-40 feet of the baby whales at a couple points. The flukes are prepatory to deep dives so were either the moms or the escorts.

On the way back down the coast we stopped at the temple built by Kamehameha I who united the Hawaiian islands in the late 18th and early 19th C -- Pu'ukohola

Last night we decided would also be our one night to eat dinner out as there was a free hula and fire dancing show at Mauna Lani.

Today I let the rest of the gang go off snorkeling at Honaunau and I lazed around, read, and got a pedicure.

Waimea and Lapakahi

We drove up (i.e., north and into the Kohala Mts) to Waimea yesterday morning to find cooler and rainy weather. We visited an exhibit on the historical leper colony Kalaupapa and I was surprised to learn how dire the conditions were there. Families were forciby separated once someone was diagnosed, and people often died withing just a couple of years after arriving. What I hadn't realized was that it was often due to starvation. Eventually the royal house of Hawaii stepped in and began delivering clothes and food and money for medical care.  Did not see much else of note in Waimea-Kamuela but did find some freshly made malasadas (big fat deep fried doughnuts covered with cinnamon sugar) to make it all worth while.
Back down to the hot coast of the Waimea peninsula to visit the Lapakahi State Historical Park which is an old fishing village. Beautiful setting once inhabited by about 600 people until the water table dropped and they had to leave.

Stopped for lunch in Kawaihae then continued on down the coast with the McMillen Bruddahs scouting for future snorkeling. We stopped at Kiholo State Park Reserve and while the beaches were interesting, it did not look promising due to rocky entry and steep drop off. We will be heading for another potential snorkeling area this morning (Monday). That's all the news for now.

Mooching around Kailua-Kona

Today was a take-it-easy day and to use my friend Brian's term, we just mooched around Kailua-Kona. We walked from our condo following the coastline into town, stopping to admire the views along the coast, the beautiful water, farmer's market, pretty things in the windows of shops.

Had some free coffee samples, stopped and had lunch overlooking the water and continued to wander around the old harbor.

 Here is the official starting and finishing point of the "Iron Man" race.

Wandered the grounds of the Hulihe'e Palace--home to governors and various members of the royal family--and went in the gift shop there to buy some Hawaiian music CD's.

Found this lovely would-be snorkeler walking along the wall of the grounds.

Went into the lobby of the King Kamehameha Hotel which has an astounding collection of Herb Kane's paintings depicting the history and culture of the native Hawaiians, and the famous racing outrigger, the Mahoe.

These are contemporary versions of the outriggers racing canoes.

These are the famous McMillen Brudders...

And these clever fellows were outside the Crocs store.

Yet more Flowers + Sunsets + Trees

The bougainvillea grow like wild over here in every shade from white to salmon to purple to fuschia. But equally impressive are the multiple hues of the hibiscus--a somewhat show-off of a flower as well.

There are also the most impressive trees, usually banyans with these amazing root systems that look primordial.

Then of course, there are some nice sunsets... 

Notice some similarities between the colors of the sunsets and the colors of the flowers?!

Up North to Kapa'au

We drove north to the Kohala coast to visit with a friend of Joan and Mickey's from Portland who spends several months a year here in Hawaii. Her name is Giselle and her partner is Jesse. They were the most gracious hosts and took us to the site of the historic Bond Girls' School and on a trail that goes through the forests on the land. This was a missionary school for the girls on the island that they are refurbishing; also they are re-establishing some native style gardens that include taro.

We also went to the end of the road to Pololu Lookout. There was a lot of vog (volcanic fog with sulphur dioxide from the the other side of the island) so it's hard to see these beautiful gorges that are cut into the coastline.

Than back to Kapa'au for lunch. The women went to the deli for a wonderful curried quinoa salad topped with a cinnamon role. We were joined by a very assertive couple of geckoes who were after the cinnamon role.

The guys went to Minnie's for pulled pork. Spent an absolutely mind boggling 2.5 hours getting back in nearly standstill traffic down the west side of the island. Ugh. Saw lots of lush foliage and beautiful flowers today.