January 2017

Hawaii trip

A 8-day adventure by Mike and Carole Read more

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Trip start
January 19, 2017
Hawaii trip Mike and Carole
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Wednesday, January 18, 2017
⛅ 28 °C
Altitude: 12 m
United States Lehia Park 19.733098, -155.0078219°43’59” N 155°0’28” W
Hilo
January 18, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
We arrived the evening of January 18. We first landed in Honolulu after about nine hours nonstop from Atlanta. Carole was feeling motion sick, so she was less than excited about hopping on another plane to Hilo, but we made it safely without losing her lunch and checked into our Air BnB. Mike took a couple pics of the airport as its the first airport we'd seen that was almost completely outdoors.Read more
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Day 1
Thursday, January 19, 2017
☁️ 23 °C
Altitude: 62 m
United States Lililoa 19.448464, -154.86225119°26’54” N 154°51’44” W
Pāhoa
January 19, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C
The morning of our first day we took a drive through the Puna district of the Big Island. Its a more remote, relatively untraveled area with a lot of beautiful scenery. We saw a hot spring pond and a lot of beautiful coastline.Read more
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Day 1
Thursday, January 19, 2017
☁️ 23 °C
Altitude: Sea level
United States Kalapana State Wayside Park 19.354803, -154.9795119°21’17” N 154°58’46” W
Kalapana
January 19, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C
We continued our drive through the Puna district on to the Red Road and Kalapana.
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Day 1
Thursday, January 19, 2017
⛅ 25 °C
Altitude: 121 m
United States Rainbow Falls 19.719687, -155.10978719°43’11” N 155°6’35” W
Rainbow Falls
January 19, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C
We booked a tour with Arnott's Lodge to drive up to the summit of Mauna Kea. The first stop was Rainbow Falls. As you can see, the falls were beautiful and the banyan tree was the biggest banyan we'd ever seen. We had a mother and daughter and another couple on the tour with us and they had all seen Rainbow Falls already so we hopped out and did a quick tour before heading back to the van.Read more
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Day 1
Thursday, January 19, 2017
⛅ 14 °C
Altitude: 2,790 m
United States Pu‘ukalepeamoa 19.758142, -155.4551719°45’29” N 155°27’19” W
Mauna Kea visitor center
January 19, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C
On the way up to the summit of Mauna Kea we had to stop at the visitor center to slowly acclimate to the elevation before going to the summit. Saw some interesting silversword plants there and watched part of a film about Mauna Kea and all the telescopes on the summit. Researchers from all over the world use about a dozen or so telescopes and there may be another soon.Read more
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Day 1
Thursday, January 19, 2017
⛅ 9 °C
Altitude: 4,118 m
United States Pu‘uwēkiu 19.817583, -155.46890319°49’3” N 155°28’8” W
Mauna Kea summit
January 19, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C
We drove up the winding road to the summit and waited for the sun to set at the top of Mauna Kea. About a dozen massive telescopes line the summit as the location, atmosphere and elevation make it a perfect spot for seeing most of the visible stars from our planet. It was more than a little bit chilly up there.Read more
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Day 1
Thursday, January 19, 2017
⛅ 9 °C
Altitude: 4,118 m
United States Pu‘uwēkiu 19.817583, -155.46890319°49’3” N 155°28’8” W
Mauna Kea summit
January 19, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C
These are more pics at the summit...incredible sunset view above the clouds...we could also see the mountain on Maui in the distance. The coats we're wearing were provided by the tour company and we definitely needed them. As the sun disappeared we headed back down to the Visitors Center where our tour guide took us to a dark spot and pointed out about a dozen different constellations, planets, stars, etc. Way too many to count.Read more
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Day 2
Friday, January 20, 2017
⛅ 21 °C
Altitude: 1,211 m
United States Steaming Bluff 19.430699, -155.26780119°25’51” N 155°16’4” W
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
January 20, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
On Friday, we got up early and headed for Volcano National Park. We got there before the visitor center opened so we headed to the lava tube first. A short walk from the Visitors Center there were steam vents everywhere. Ground water seeps down to the hot volcanic rocks in this area and returns to the surface as steam.

We also saw the Sulphur banks nearby where volcanic gases seep out of the ground along with groundwater steam. These gases are rich in carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide -the gas that smells like rotten eggs. Some sulfur gases deposit pure crystals at Sulphur Banks.Read more
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Day 2
Friday, January 20, 2017
⛅ 21 °C
Altitude: 1,254 m
United States Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park 19.420095, -155.2879519°25’12” N 155°17’17” W
Jaggar museum and observatory
January 20, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
Kīlauea is a currently active shield volcano, and the most active of the five volcanoes that together form the island of Hawaiʻi. It is the clearly the highlight of Volcano National Park and Jaggar Museum's overlook provides the best view of the Kilauea volcano. This is where we could see the lava bubbling up out of the volcano. Definitely a highlight of the trip.

We actually saw the guy that wore the clothes displayed here...he apparently is one of only two people known to have fallen into a lava stream and survived.Read more
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Day 2
Friday, January 20, 2017
☁️ 23 °C
Altitude: 574 m
United States Hōlei Pali 19.316469, -155.16184319°18’59” N 155°9’43” W
chain of craters road
January 20, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C
Chain of Craters Road is a 19-mile/30-km winding paved road through the East Rift and coastal area of the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. We saw lava for miles and miles along this road. A long stretch of this road near the coast is now shut down because of continuous lava flow. The pics are of various points on the road where lava has flowed at different times over the past century or so.Read more
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Day 2
Friday, January 20, 2017
☁️ 23 °C
Altitude: 516 m
United States Hōlei Pali 19.314059, -155.15248719°18’51” N 155°9’9” W
scenic view
January 20, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C
We ate a quick lunch and enjoyed the view here. It wasn't the best $8 turkey hoagie I've ever had, but at least there was a view and the sun came out for us.
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Day 2
Friday, January 20, 2017
☁️ 25 °C
Altitude: Sea level
United States Ka Lae Apuki 19.293808, -155.09845719°17’38” N 155°5’54” W
Holei Sea Arch
January 20, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C
After a long drive we made it down to the Pacific Ocean to see this arch created by the erosion of the waves against the lava. Carole was breaking the rules again when posing for this picture, but it made for a good shot. It was obviously a beautiful day.Read more
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Day 2
Friday, January 20, 2017
☁️ 25 °C
Altitude: Sea level
United States Pu‘u Loa 19.292148, -155.12206119°17’32” N 155°7’19” W
Pu'u Loa Petroglyphs
January 20, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C
We hiked about a mile and a half round trip for some carvings in the lava stone...not the best use of time in my opinion, but we didn't realize how lame it was till we got there. I suppose if you know more about what they meant it would be far more interesting. The Park website says there are over 23,000 petroglyphs there.

Further on, the road was closed to further car traffic. It would've been a 10 mile hike to get to the lava flowing across the road and into the Pacific. We didn't have time for such a long hike so this pic of the steam rising in the distance is the best we got.Read more
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Day 2
Friday, January 20, 2017
☁️ 21 °C
Altitude: 1,070 m
United States Kīlauea Iki Crater 19.414107, -155.24791219°24’51” N 155°14’52” W
Kilauea Iki Crater/Kilauea overlook...
January 20, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
These pics are from the Kilauea overlook, Volcano House, Kilauea Iki Crater, Lua Manu crater and the Puhimau crater. On the way back to Hilo for a flight to Honolulu we stopped by the little nearby town of Volcano and went to the Volcano winery for a little wine tasting. Picked up a bottle of Volcano Red to bring home with us.Read more
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Day 3
Saturday, January 21, 2017
🌧 21 °C
Altitude: 69 m
United States Diamond Head 21.261916, -157.8060821°15’43” N 157°48’22” W
Condo view and Diamond Head Crater Hike
January 21, 2017 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 21 °C
Friday night we flew to Honolulu from Hilo and it was a bit of an adventure to find our air bnb condo. We eventually did and it was a nice spot on the 28th floor overlooking Waikiki (see pic). The next morning we got up early and headed to Diamond Head hoping to beat the crowds. Unfortunately, we didn't beat the rain and wind; or the crowds actually. I can't imagine how crowded that place must be on a nice day.Read more
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Day 3
Saturday, January 21, 2017
🌧 21 °C
Altitude: 69 m
United States Diamond Head 21.261916, -157.8060821°15’43” N 157°48’22” W
Diamond Head Crater Hike
January 21, 2017 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 21 °C
The hike up the crater was pretty steep at times, and the footing was terrible. We saw a lot of joggers running up and down which we thought was nuts given the poor footing and how narrow the pathway was at times. Anyway, the view of the Pacific and of Honolulu once we got to the top was spectacular as you can see.Read more
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Day 3
Saturday, January 21, 2017
🌧 21 °C
Altitude: 11 m
United States Sharks Cove 21.650211, -158.06221221°39’1” N 158°3’44” W
North Shore of Oahu
January 21, 2017 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 21 °C
After hiking up Diamond Head and back we went back to the condo to shower and then decided to drive up to the North Shore of Oahu. We stopped by the Dole Plantation to buy some stuff and then drove up to Haleiwa Beach, Waimea Bay, and the Banzai Pipeline on our way to the Polynesian Cultural Center.Read more
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Day 3
Saturday, January 21, 2017
🌧 22 °C
Altitude: 7 m
United States Beauty Hole (historical)21.647658, -157.92762921°38’52” N 157°55’39” W
Polynesian Cultural Center
January 21, 2017 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 22 °C
We got here a little before 2pm and had a guided tour where we saw several interesting cultural shows including one from New Zealand, Tonga, and Samoa. We then watched a floating parade which you can see below.Read more
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Day 3
Saturday, January 21, 2017
🌧 22 °C
Altitude: 7 m
United States Beauty Hole (historical)21.647658, -157.92762921°38’52” N 157°55’39” W
Polynesian Cultural Center
January 21, 2017 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 22 °C
Before the trip, one of Carole's musts was to go to a luau. This place was recommended and the food and entertainment did not disappoint. The luau and the show afterward were very impressive.
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Day 4
Sunday, January 22, 2017
⛅ 21 °C
Altitude: 371 m
United States Nu‘uanu Pali 21.366696, -157.79354521°22’0” N 157°47’37” W
Pali lookout
January 22, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
On Sunday Carole went to her conference and Mike visited a little PCA church in Honolulu. It just happened to be potluck Sunday! Woo hoo! Then we decided to drive around the rest of Oahu and stopped at Pali lookout first. Very very windy day!!Read more
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Day 4
Sunday, January 22, 2017
⛅ 23 °C
Altitude: 4 m
United States Alāla Point 21.395836, -157.72211121°23’45” N 157°43’20” W
Kailua Beach/ Lanikai Beach
January 22, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
After Pali Lookout we drove along the southeast coast of Oahu stopping at Kailua Beach and Lanikai Beach. With the wind and the waves we saw some pretty impressive kite surfing and walked along the beach for a bit.Read more
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Day 4
Sunday, January 22, 2017
⛅ 23 °C
Altitude: 26 m
United States Makapu‘u Gap 21.309385, -157.65671821°18’34” N 157°39’24” W
Waimanalo/Makupu'u and Halona blowhole
January 22, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
All kinds of beautiful views along the coast here, but the highlight was the Halona Blowhole. Apparently, on some days, there isn't much to see there, but this was a very windy day with heavy surf so the water was spewing up from the blowhole with every wave. Took some good videos. We got takeout that night at a Hawaiian seafood place. Lobster, crab, crawfish and shrimp. Had to work to get the food, which Mike did not care for; and it was a mess, which Carole did not care for, but we look like we had fun, right?Read more
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Day 5
Monday, January 23, 2017
⛅ 24 °C
Altitude: 28 m
United States Loi-Kalo Park 21.332921, -157.87061721°19’59” N 157°52’14” W
Bishop Museum
January 23, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
On Monday morning Carole was back at her conference and Mike headed to the Bishop Museum which was a really interesting look at Hawaii's history. Some fascinating exhibits told the story of how Hawaii was united under King Kamehameha, and how it eventually became a US territory and state. The cape and helmet below are what Kalaniʻōpuʻu, the king of Hawaii island at the time, placed on Capt. James Cook as a gesture of good will when he arrived at the island. Like many other European explorers to new lands, they thought he was a god.Read more
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Day 5
Monday, January 23, 2017
⛅ 24 °C
Altitude: Sea level
United States Hanauma Bay State Underwater Park 21.269036, -157.69379221°16’9” N 157°41’38” W
Hanauma Bay
January 23, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
On Monday afternoon, we headed to Hanauma Bay for some snorkeling. Carole, of course, had her own snorkel and mask and Mike had to rent one. It was a little chilly, but we saw some amazing fish. Mike even saw a couple of sea turtles after Carole got too cold and headed back to the beach. The last pic is from the pool area in our condo building. We had Helena's Hawaiian food that night. We both thought it was a bit overrated.Read more
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Day 6
Tuesday, January 24, 2017
🌧 23 °C
Altitude: Sea level
United States USS Arizona 21.364894, -157.94999621°21’54” N 157°56’60” W
Pearl Harbor USS Arizona Memorial
January 24, 2017 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 23 °C
Mike got online and bought tickets early the previous day so that we could go see the USS Arizona memorial. We just about missed our tour because it was almost impossible to find parking, but we made it. The memorial was amazing. It is built right above where the old ship lays and you can see the oil still bubbling up from the ship 75 years after she was sunk. A sobering thought to know that the bodies of hundreds of American sailors are still there in the sunken ship below, having paid the ultimate price for our country.Read more
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