Hilo, Hawaii: yr 1, home 1

Our first “official” slowmad stop. February 27-March 26, 2024 Read more

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Trip start
February 28, 2024
Hilo, Hawaii: yr 1, home 1
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Tuesday, February 27, 2024
☁️ 72 °F
Altitude: 167 ft
United States Panaʻewa (Residential) Hawaiian Home Land 19.688625, -155.07249519°41’19” N 155°4’21” W
Oakland to Honolulu to Hilo
February 27, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 72 °F
We flew out of Oakland, stopped in Honolulu and the Plumeria lounge, then on to Hilo. The lounge was a good option as the Burger King had their Whopper, fries and a Coke for $19.20. I get a Priority lounge pass free (kind of) from our American Express and Marc gets his free from Southwest. So we both get in and had soup, Sandwhich and drinks, then off to the plane. I think we saved $40 on food.Read more
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Day 1
Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at 9:54 AM
⛅ 70 °F
Altitude: 26 ft
United States Mo'Oheau County Park 19.723404, -155.08509819°43’24” N 155°5’6” W
Farmers Market
February 28, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 70 °F
First full day, first stop is the Hilo Farmers Market to stock up on treasures for the food pantry.
Take home included: huge Hawaiian butter Avocado, papaya, tomatoes Mango bread and mango honey. There were so many interesting fruits. I’m not sure I could name them all.Read more
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Day 1
Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at 12:05 PM
⛅ 73 °F
Altitude: 72 ft
United States Kalākaua Park 19.724955, -155.0884419°43’30” N 155°5’18” W
Public Square
February 28, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 73 °F
We found a park near the farmers market. This is the square that was in the center of original Hilo. The federal court was on one side and a city building on the other. The sundial was used by sailors to reset/set their watches before sailing off to other ports, yes… it works it was just after noon when I took the picture.Read more
TravelerSmile......
3/8/24Reply
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Day 2
Thursday, February 29, 2024 at 12:54 PM
⛅ 64 °F
Altitude: 4,091 ft
United States Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park 19.419037, -155.28936819°25’9” N 155°17’22” W
2
Volcanos National Park
February 29, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 64 °F
When you find yourself on a volcanic island it’s best to view its origin. Volcanos National Park is about 45 minutes from our home. We packed a lunch and headed out. The drive climbed over 4,000 feet (but it wasn’t noticeable) and we had our new road story guide (more on that later). Visitors center, a walk along the edge’ish of the caldera and a stroll through a lava tube. A good intro a second and third visit will be extra fun and a huge benefit of staying a month.Read more
Traveler Dude.... is that lava at the end of this tunnel?!?!? eek!
3/8/24Reply
TravelerVery hot photo! The park used red/orange lights to make it easier to go from sun to dark. The bright lights at the end of the tube is sunlight
3/8/24Reply
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Day 3
Friday, March 1, 2024 at 4:04 PM
⛅ 72 °F
Altitude: 62 ft
United States Kalākaua Park 19.725096, -155.08747919°43’30” N 155°5’15” W
An iki wander
March 1, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F
Yesterday it was volcanoes today it was a trip to the tsunami museum. Both stops made us really think about the reality of living on an island in the Pacific. Remainder of the day sightseeing and walking around.Read more
TravelerDid you try the chocolate dipped iki?
3/3/24Reply
TravelerAbsolutely NOT. Even good chocolate can’t cover up the “ocean” taste of fish.
3/3/24Reply
TravelerVery pensive looking Marc
3/3/24Reply
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Day 4
Saturday, March 2, 2024 at 1:01 PM
⛅ 73 °F
Altitude: 213 ft
United States Kalaoa Stream 19.79978, -155.09324619°47’59” N 155°5’36” W
Hamakua Coast
March 2, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 73 °F
Hawaii really showed me its rainy side today. It rained 4 different times which surprisingly (at least to me) is pretty normal on the Windward side of the island. The result of all of the rain is the green, green plants and the beautiful waterfalls and coast. Our adventure was a drive from along the north east coast (highway 19) with stops at the magical (might I say mythical) Waipio valley and theater in Waimea.Read more
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Day 4
Saturday, March 2, 2024 at 2:01 PM
⛅ 72 °F
Altitude: Sea level
United States Laupāhoehoe Point 19.993439, -155.24008219°59’36” N 155°14’24” W
Laupahoehoe and the tsunami
March 2, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F
In 1946 there was a quaint town, train station and school along the eastern coast called Laupahoehoe. April 1, 1946 changed it all when a series of tsunami waves struck. At first, as the ocean receded, the kids at the school ran out and had fun gathering stranded fish with their hands. But then, inevitably, the tsunami waves started to come in. The tallest wave was over 50 feet. At sea level, there was little chance of surviving. 24 students and teachers were killed. Today, there is a memorial and the Pacific Tsunami museum has oral accounts of the disaster. It sadly serves as a teaching opportunity to everyone to run away, not towards, the beach when waves suddenly pull out.Read more
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Day 4
Saturday, March 2, 2024 at 3:27 PM
⛅ 70 °F
Altitude: 873 ft
United States Waipio Scenic Overlook 20.118097, -155.58435120°7’5” N 155°35’4” W
1
Waipio Valley
March 2, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 70 °F
Waipio was the safe place of a young King Kamehameha (similar to the British Princes protection on the Isle of Skye) who was prophesized to be a great leader. Of course the current rulers didn’t appreciate, nor want this interloper, so they were hunting the young boy with the intention of killing him. For safety he was spirited away to the Waipio valley where he lived in peace and secrecy for many years. The bay, valley and town are “off limits” to cars and people unless you are specifically invited or on a tour. We didn’t get the invite so our view was limited to the look out above.Read more
Traveler Jealous
3/9/24Reply
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Day 4
Saturday, March 2, 2024 at 5:19 PM
☁️ 64 °F
Altitude: 2,733 ft
United States Waimea Nature Park 20.021089, -155.66775520°1’16” N 155°40’4” W
1
Cowboy world champion in 1908
March 2, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F
Cowboy & Cattle country. The town of Waimea is the center of Hawaii’s cattle industry. It has a long cattle history as scene in these two statues commemorating the 1908 world roping champions from Hawaii.Read more
Traveler Cool
3/9/24Reply
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Day 4
Saturday, March 2, 2024 at 9:06 PM
🌫 61 °F
Altitude: 2,717 ft
United States Lanimaumau Stream 20.019119, -155.66722120°1’9” N 155°40’2” W
1
Kahilu Theater and Shakespeare Hawaiian
March 2, 2024 in the United States ⋅ 🌫 61 °F
I’d bet that Shakespeare could never have imagined this version of midsummer nights dream. Called One Uddah Mid’Summah. This version is an adaption, not only placed in Hawaii but translated and updated into “modern” Hawaiian Pidgeon English. Performed live with a 12 person cast it was directed by Sean-Joseph Takeo Kahaikalani and adapted by Jackie Plano Johnson. Similar to my experience with live theater in Buenos Aires, although I knew the play, so much of the show and the nuance of the language was lost on me, but the “locals”, including Marc (who was raised on Oahu) were laughing uproariously. Attending live theater, even without understanding the language, continues to be a satisfying experience for us.Read more
Traveler What a cool experience!
3/8/24Reply
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Day 5
Sunday, March 3, 2024 at 9:42 AM
☁️ 72 °F
Altitude: 23 ft
United States Onekahakaha Park 19.737817, -155.03993319°44’16” N 155°2’24” W
1
Sunday at the beach . . . In the rain
March 3, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 72 °F
I took Sunday morning to explore the coast from downtown Hilo heading south to the end of the pavement. Sky is overcast with a light mist always in the air and heavy rain always threatening to break open a down pour.
This did not stop many locals from enjoying the shore line. While many places were quiet and good for meditation, others were full of picnics, BBQ’s and celebrations.Read more
Traveler Pretty
3/9/24Reply
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Day 6
Monday, March 4, 2024 at 4:31 PM
☁️ 73 °F
Altitude: 23 ft
United States Machida Beach 19.737495, -155.03696519°44’15” N 155°2’13” W
A day at Onekahakaha beach
March 4, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 73 °F
That is a long name with way too many vowels for Pam. We hung out today at a pavilion on the beach with some of Marc’s High school friends and their kids and grandkids. BBQ chicken, ribs, fish and poke, several kinds of macaroni salad, and a big pot of rice. It felt very “Hawaiian” and the kids splashing in the ocean was really fun to watch. Those kids have no fear of the water and are comfortable and happy playing for hours. Their joy was contagious and I’m still smiling.Read more
TravelerDid you get in the water Pam?
3/9/24Reply
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Day 7
Tuesday, March 5, 2024 at 10:30 AM
⛅ 61 °F
Altitude: 4,068 ft
United States Uēkahuna Bluff 19.434495, -155.2810819°26’4” N 155°16’52” W
Tree Molds
March 5, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 61 °F
When a healthy large tree stands in the path of lava it’s pretty much going to catch fire and burn up. In some locations, some trees, are both large and very moist. In those cases the lava flow gets near enough to catch the outside on fire, but the inside is wet enough to resist the flames. The trees outside contacts the lava and the lava hardens forming a shell. The inside part of the tree cools the lava just enough, leaving these hollow holes. These are called tree molds, and although there aren’t many they are really cool to see. Get it, cool to see?Read more
Travelernow THAT is something I have never heard of and its pretty cool how Mother Nature can do things like that.
3/8/24Reply
TravelerInteresting
3/9/24Reply
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Day 7
Tuesday, March 5, 2024 at 12:58 PM
🌬 75 °F
Altitude: 30 ft
United States Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail 18.911955, -155.6818718°54’43” N 155°40’55” W
Southern Point
March 5, 2024 in the United States ⋅ 🌬 75 °F
It was a long drive off the main road but I made it to the southern point. Really windy and not a lot to see, ok, there was a lot to see if you like waves, lava, and waves in lava.
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Day 7
Tuesday, March 5, 2024 at 1:57 PM
☁️ 72 °F
Altitude: 1,926 ft
United States Lava Flow of 1887 19.072664, -155.7414719°4’22” N 155°44’29” W
New and old lava
March 5, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 72 °F
In these photos it’s possible to see both new (1907) and old about 750 years old lava flows. The darker is the new and the lighter is the old.
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Day 7
Tuesday, March 5, 2024 at 4:11 PM
☁️ 70 °F
Altitude: 66 ft
United States Two Step 19.424612, -155.90962219°25’29” N 155°54’35” W
Place of Refuge
March 5, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 70 °F
There was a time in Hawaiian history when if you broke a rule, called a kapu, the punishment was death. If you were a particularly fast runner, or really good in a dugout canoe, and you could escape from your jailers, you could make your way to a place of refuge. These are walled sanctuaries that if you could make it there you’d be safe and then forgiven of your kapu. This location stands on the site of a place of refuge. It was really interesting to walk around, and explore the village. It’s a US national park, so I used the NPS app for a good walking tour.Read more
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Day 7
Tuesday, March 5, 2024 at 6:00 PM
⛅ 73 °F
Altitude: 92 ft
United States Ka‘ūpūlehu Beach 19.821138, -155.97610519°49’16” N 155°58’34” W
2
Hele-on to Kona then back to Hilo
March 5, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 73 °F
Today, Marc did a trip on the public bus from Hilo to Kona and back. The two towns are 90 miles apart. Bus has 2 options, along the coast, or saddle road between the 2 largest mountains.
The bus is free to all, air conditioned and very comfortable. Not very frequent. None are marked with route numbers. Everyone just asks the driver where they are going.
Start at Hilo at 9:30 am
Pit stop at Honokaa on Hamakua coast.
Arrived at Kona terminus, back road near Target, at 12:30
Tried to find a return bus that would cross back to Hilo in the daylight.
Long story short is there is a route if you do a transfer at Kona airport. I tried and failed. I’ll tell you the long story over a beer if you remember to ask me about it.

3 buses later, I’m back at the Target terminus to catch the bus back to Hilo leaving at 5:00pm.
Cross the saddle road in the dark, arriving back at the start in Hilo at 8:00pm
10.5 hours later.Read more
Traveler Is that you?!?!... or did that lady just finally give up on catching the bus??
3/8/24Reply
Traveler That man was just lying around most of the afternoon. Did not want any help. I think he caught a bus after waiting about 3 hours
3/8/24Reply
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Day 7
Tuesday, March 5, 2024 at 6:09 PM
☁️ 64 °F
Altitude: 1,155 ft
United States Napo‘opo‘o 19.48187, -155.90748719°28’55” N 155°54’27” W
1
Kona Plantation Bed & Breakfast
March 5, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F
It’s been awhile since I’ve stayed in an actual Bed & Breakfast. This one is something special. It’s on the coffee plantation hillside near Kona. The views are stunning, the bedroom is great the hot tub is warm and best of all there is an outdoor shower. The price for a single night is $149 and includes a real cooked breakfast. Life is goodRead more
Traveler Nice
3/9/24Reply
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Day 8
Wednesday, March 6, 2024 at 11:41 AM
⛅ 73 °F
Altitude: 7 ft
United States Hoolulu Cove 19.640108, -155.99580319°38’24” N 155°59’45” W
1
Lunch at the Fish Hopper, Kona
March 6, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 73 °F
Very much a place for the cruise ship “people”. This is one of their drinks, for 25.00. I sat at the bar. Had a Mai Tai and fish tacos for 16. The people watching was great.
Traveler Yum!!
3/9/24Reply
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Day 8
Wednesday, March 6, 2024 at 12:52 PM
☁️ 72 °F
Altitude: 62 ft
United States Waiākea Health Center 19.724758, -155.06993119°43’29” N 155°4’12” W
3
Things found in the park
March 6, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 72 °F
Here are several unrelated photos of things I found interesting while walking around the park near Hilo bay.
Traveler Is that Rikki Tikki Tavi?
3/8/24Reply
TravelerCould be,
3/8/24Reply
TravelerIf one mongoose is named Rikki, another named Tikki and the third named Tavi. What do you think the black cat is named?
3/8/24Reply
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Day 8
Wednesday, March 6, 2024 at 2:32 PM
⛅ 77 °F
Altitude: 20 ft
United States Lae o Panipou 19.952377, -155.85942119°57’9” N 155°51’34” W
2
Puako Petroglyphs
March 6, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 77 °F
About a mile and a half walk to see these petroglyphs. Really interesting as most of them look like people. There are over 3,000 of them carved into the lava in this area. Most are not on maps to keep them safe, but a few are identified within the fenced area.Read more
Traveler Path path 😅 new namesake landmark
3/8/24Reply
TravelerI did not notice the double speak Very funny
3/9/24Reply
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Day 8
Wednesday, March 6, 2024 at 3:22 PM
🌧 70 °F
Altitude: 82 ft
United States Waiākea Peninsula 19.727133, -155.06692519°43’38” N 155°4’1” W
Banyan Drive
March 6, 2024 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 70 °F
Banyan Drive is a loop road on a peninsula that juts into Hilo bay. Starting in 1933, Hilo invited celebrities and other great people to plant Banyan trees along the loop road. There are about 50 large trees with dedicated plaques that now shade the road. Hilo’s best hotels are on the ocean side while public gardens and a golf course are on the inside.
I’ve included photos of a few trees I found interesting:
Cecil B Demille, and his wife planted the first trees.
Babe Ruth tree planted later that year.
King Henry V tree is next to Franklin D Roosevelt Tree, but Roosevelt is the only tree with a metal plaque.
I’ve included trees planted by 2 famous Women, author Fannie Hurst and Pilot Amelia Earhart.
Last is the smallest Banyan in the grove planted by David Forbes (this investment did not grow well for Mr. Forbes)Read more
TravelerBanyan trees are fascinating
3/9/24Reply
TravelerThe trees really are amazing. Very hard to capture them in a photo. Sad that the plaques are all in such disrepair. Seems to me repair of the plaques would be a great eagle scout project.
3/9/24Reply
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Day 8
Wednesday, March 6, 2024 at 4:02 PM
🌬 72 °F
Altitude: 387 ft
United States Kumakua Gulch 20.250887, -155.82690520°15’3” N 155°49’37” W
1
Glamping at The Haven at Hawi Nani Ranch
March 6, 2024 in the United States ⋅ 🌬 72 °F
I’m always up for interesting locations to sleep and this one ranks high up there (along with the teepee in Wyoming and the air stream in Idaho). The farm had horses, goats, rabbits, and chickens along with cornhole and fresbie golf. Except for a few carrots I threw to the rabbits I didn’t use any of the facilities as it rained the entire stay. I LOVED IT! I was dry and smiling listening to the wind and rain throughout the night. Capping off my stay with an amazing outdoor shower. Highly recommended if you are ever in the far north of Hawaii in Hawi.Read more
Traveler Obviously Marc didn't read the sign
3/9/24Reply
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Day 9
Thursday, March 7, 2024 at 8:42 AM
🌬 70 °F
Altitude: 495 ft
United States Waikaulapala Gulch 20.230353, -155.7983720°13’49” N 155°47’54” W
Kamehameha the Great statue
March 7, 2024 in the United States ⋅ 🌬 70 °F
Kamehameha statues are in several locations in this island. This one is in Kapaau in the north of Hawaii. The story is that on the 100th anniversary of Kamehameha’s reign, a statue was commissioned from a famous sculpture in Italy. The statue was cast in bronze and placed on a ship. Partway to Hawaii the ship sank, and the statue was lost. Luckily, the statue was insured, and a replacement was cast. Meanwhile, a treasure hunter, found the sunken ship, and pulled out the statue. Because they had already been paid for the replacement of the statue, they had to buy back this statue. The second, and replacement, stands in Honolulu. This one, is the one pulled from the shipwreck.Read more
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Day 9
Thursday, March 7, 2024
☁️ 68 °F
Altitude: 167 ft
United States Panaʻewa (Residential) Hawaiian Home Land 19.688652, -155.07249119°41’19” N 155°4’21” W
Around the Island in 3 days
March 7, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 68 °F
I drove over 260 miles all the way around the island of Hawaii. Two overnights and three days of sightseeing. I downloaded a driving tour called Guide Along and it was amazing!! The ap is GPS based so turn it on and drive along. The narration provided info about the places and best of all it was an entire history lesson of the Island. The commentary came on about every 3 minutes so there was always something to hear and the voice was chatty and it felt like he was along with me in the car. We will be looking for more from this company for all of our stops.Read more
TravelerCool pics!! Is there a charge for that app?
3/9/24Reply
TravelerYes. There is a charge. But it was way cheaper than a guided tour. I think there are others for different locations. We got Hawaii and it has all the islands.
3/9/24Reply
TravelerThat app sounds really cool
3/9/24Reply
TravelerThere’s a national park loop tour thats 50.00. hawaii islands was 19.99
3/9/24Reply
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