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The Original King Kamehameha Statue
The Original Statue of King Kamehameha The story of the statue is interesting. There are four copies of the statue: one in downtown Honolulu; another in Washington, D.C.; a 14-foot, five-ton statue in Hilo and the original statue in front of the old court house in Kapa’au in north Kohala. The sculptor Thomas Ridgeway Gould had…
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Kapakai Kokoiki – Birthplace of King Kamehameha
When we visited the Big Island a couple of years ago, I wanted to visit the birthplace of King Kamehameha. Using Google Maps searching for the correct road, we drove to the south side on Coast Guard Road. Respecting closed gates, this was a dead end. Then on to the north side via Upolo Airport…
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Shark Tale
We have seen her before. Visiting her cave is now part of the ritual. Swim to the left over the first big canyon, through octopus flats and back into shark shallows. Today, she was there sticking her tail out further than the last time we were together. We snorkeled above her fighting the currents, trying to…
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Hawaiian Jelly, Big Island
An annoying thing about snorkeling is the jellyfish. Yes, there are jellyfish out there, not everywhere and not all the time. On the Big Island of Hawaii they are mostly small, almost like a snowflake. On occasion, we have come across a slightly larger ones. They just ride the water flow past you. Every once in awhile you…
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Four Fishes, A Little Murky Swim, Waialea Bay, HI
It was late in the day, and we wanted to try a different snorkel spot. The baker at Up Country Bakery recommended Puako Bay. We followed the localized directions and ended up one bay north at Waialea Bay. Our target is the small island a few yards off shore. The surf is a little choppy, but…
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Lava Hike Fail
We have been to the volcano, night and day, but we have yet to see any lava. The hot oozing deadly destructive molten stuff. The local news is reporting that the flow has reached the ocean. This is something we have to go see, options include a helicopter, a boat, or by foot. Our thoughts…
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Manta Ray Night Snorkel
If you come to the Big Island, you have to visit the Manta Rays. You just have to. The best and most exciting way to do this is by swimming with them. Other ways are to ride in a glass bottom boat or enjoy the restaurant lanai at the Sheraton in the evening. We’ve done…
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Manta Rays at the Sheraton
The simplest way to view reef manta rays is to visit the Sheraton Resort Kona in Kailua-Kona at night. Off the back deck of the restaurant Rays on the Bay you will see the mantas glide through the waters right at the edge of the surf. It’s not every night, but when they are there, it…
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Watching the Kona Ironman World Championship
I thought, “If one finds oneself on the Big Island during the Ironman World Championship, it would be silly not to experience a little of the excitement,” and I’m glad I did. Between the white water and the ships is a line of volunteers and a line of swimmers. For those who don’t know exactly…
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Manta Ray Glass Bottom Boat
One way to get a closer look at a reef manta rays on the Big Island is to take a ride in a glass bottom boat. One leaves from the Kailua-Kona dock and goes to either behind the Sheraton or behind the airport, whichever place poses the best opportunity for the mantas to be present. Drinks and a…