41. Hawaii - Aloha State

41. Aloha Hawaii! E Komo Mai!

From San Diego, California, to Hawaii – a Vietnamese baguette for breakfast followed by a 5.5-hour flight. A luxurious journey compared to the 30+ hour flights from Europe, this island of volcanoes and stunning beaches felt like a dream come true.

New Year's Eve delivered an unforgettable spectacle: the awe-inspiring eruption of Kilauea volcano. What better fireworks display could one imagine? Free, natural, sustainable, and truly grand.

The southeast coast boasts incredible beaches, arguably the most beautiful in the United States. The black sand beaches, formed from volcanic ash, were mesmerizing. At Isaac Hale Park, we discovered a hidden paradise: a warm, natural green pool fed by the incoming tide. It felt like a giant bathtub, perfect for leisurely backstrokes.

We visited a zoo, though I'm not typically a fan. However, we were eager to see the Nene, a critically endangered goose that sadly reminded me of the extinct Dodo bird of Réunion Island. The highlight for me was encountering a stunning lizard, resembling a lifelike gummy candy.

The next day, we camped near the Kaumana Caves, pitching our tent beneath a majestic tree with roots reaching down like curtains. It was a truly romantic spot. Our underground adventure at Kaumana Caves was unique and somewhat daunting. The low ceilings and potential for falling debris made for a thrilling, if slightly scary, journey. Theo unfortunately bumped his head, but we both emerged unscathed.

Akaka Falls, with its cascading water misting the basalt cliffs draped in lush green ferns, was a breathtaking sight that drew crowds of visitors.

In the north, Laupahoehoe Beach offered a picturesque campground with stunning ocean views and a backdrop of swaying palm trees.

Waipo'o, renowned for its taro cultivation, bears the scars of Western contact in the early 1800s. Introduced diseases decimated the native population. Intermarriage with Chinese, Portuguese, Japanese, and Filipino sugar plantation workers shaped the island's current multi-ethnic landscape. Rice farming flourished here from the 1800s to the 1930s.

Kamehameha, the King of Hawaii, unified the islands through both battle and diplomacy in 1810. He famously emphasized the importance of happiness over material wants for his people.

In Waimea, we indulged in Malasada, a Portuguese-style donut similar to Austrian Krapfen. At the farmers' market, we had a delightful surprise encounter with my Canadian cousin Kathy, who maintains a summer home on the west coast of Hawaii.

We embarked on a short but steep hike to Pololu Valley, a former mule trail connecting the valley to others to the south and Kohala. In the past, this fertile land supported the cultivation of taro, sweet potatoes, bananas, breadfruit, and kava. It also boasted a brackish fishpond behind the dunes.

We completed the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, a littoral hike which was quite hot. However, we found refreshing respite by jumping into the Pacific Ocean several times, enjoying the exhilarating cascades of high waves. As the sun dipped below the horizon at Spencer Beach Park, we were treated to a breathtaking spectacle: whales breaching in the distance. We also spotted green sea turtles and dolphins during our Fisherman's trail hike along the beaches. Mahalo!

Of course, no visit to Hawaii would be complete without ascending Mauna Kea, the highest mountain in Hawaii. We hiked up the Humu'ula trail to Ho'hakahele and passed the mysterious Lake Waiau. Reaching the summit of Mauna Kea (4,205 meters) felt like stepping onto the moon, with its rough volcanic landscape. The next day Theo was eager to challenge himself by riding up on a gravel bike. I opted for hiking from beach to beach and snorkeling, which is amazing on this island as there is so much to see under water.

Mauna Kea is considered the tallest mountain when measured from its base on the ocean floor. It rises an astonishing 33,476 feet (10,203 meters) from the depths of the Pacific Ocean floor. While its peak reaches 13,796 feet (4,205 meters) above sea level, its true height lies beneath the waves, making it the tallest mountain on Earth when measured from its base to summit.

The remainder of our time was spent snorkeling, exploring the vibrant underwater world teeming with colorful fish and graceful turtles. I even saw a unicorn-fish! Unbelievable! And the Humuhumunukunukuapua'a, the Hawaiian national fish. 🥰 Theo also went for scuba diving through a volcanic tube and even saw a shark. At Kealakekua, we enjoyed a nice hike and excellent snorkeling, witnessing an abundance of colorful fish. What a wonderful time. Czytaj więcej