Hilo, Laupahoehoe, Kilauea, Kona, & the Pu’uhonua o Honaunau

Well, the last few days were a fairly good, albeit wet time. After our breakfast of Malasadas and Manapuas, we spent Saturday traveling around the island on the tail end of a storm. Cosme left us many streams and waterfalls to look at that were bulging with rainwater. Unfortunately, we weren't able to see many of the scenic vistas because of all of the fog in the way. We stopped and saw some waterfalls and then I tried to get myself washed out to sea at Laupahoehoe (Law-Pah-Hoy-Hoy) Point. The waves were marvelous there as they broke across the rocks (and almost me). We then went to Hilo where we had a good lunch that stuffed us quite well. After lunch, and an excruciatingly long amount of time listening to K-Love while in the parking lot of W'al'-M'ar't and Hilo Hattie's we finally were on our way to the volcano. We actually saw an eruption that swept away a few homes from the hill below us…

Just kidding…

Actually, the lava at the volcano has stopped flowing to the ocean since June. Now, after a series of earthquakes referred to as "Episode 56" the lava has begun to build up in a place called the Pu'u O'o crater. That's pretty cool if you ask me. However, it is kind of boring as far as a hike is concerned seeing s all of the trails into that area are closed due to "activity". It was pretty fun walking to the end of the dark, scary lava tube though. We found a dyslexic dragon named Dagron in there. Not to mention the fact that we all made shadow puppets with our flashlights… Ok, it was just me. It seriously rains inside of the lava tube because of all of the water dripping through the earth. Oh yeah, there are huge puddles that must be crossed inside the tube… wet describes it to a "t".

We had a good dinner at Ken's House of Pancakes. Matt had a Sumo Burger. He ate the whole thing plus the onion rings. SUMO!!! I just don't get it. I could hardly finish it when I was here last time.

Sunday.

Sunday was a good time too. We went to church where a pastor from Waikoloa spoke. Then the church ohana (family) in Waimea made us lots and lots of 'ono kine' grinds. It consisted mostly of rice and pork, both foods that broke tha' mouth. There was some sushi stuff and then this layered sort-of Jell-O thing which was 'ono. Then we went to Kailua-Kona where we went to the International Marketplace where there was a lot of stuff to buy that was mostly for malehinis which made me happy that I have no cash. We then traveled downtown so some of us could shop… some more. After that we went to the Pu'uhonua o Honaunau, or the Place of Refuge. As soon as we got out of the car we were soaked. It was raining like crazy but with Hoku and her sister Kamele as our tour guides, we were fine. It was actually a surreal sort of place where the King used to live and where warriors would go if they were defeated or broke the kapu, the law proscribed by the king. It's neat. I approve of it. Apparently there was a sea turtle laying its eggs on the beach there. Missed it though.

The trip home was restful and we arrived to a wonderful sunset at Waimea. Leftovers for dinner and then sleep.

Good weekend. Good times.

 

Aloha a hui hou kakou!

Goodbye until we see each other again!