Hawaii is not a state of mind, but a state of grace. – Paul Theroux, American travel writer and novelist
It’s nearly the end of the year, end of December, and I’m just now getting to our family vacation and Rossi Family reunion on the Big Island of Hawai’i? Call me stubborn. It had been on my list forever, and now I’m finally getting to it. I won’t give much in the way of narration. In my haste, I offer photographs and captions. I will say that this was a family trip to honor David’s father, Jerry, who turned 80 years young in June and retired just a few months ago. A life well lived. And a nice place to celebrate. I spent a summer and Christmas in 1989 on the main island. It was great to be able to see another side of the beautiful islands of Hawai’i.
First, photos around our condo on the Kona side of the island. This is our view from our living room window.
After a rainstorm, we were graced with a rainbow. From our cluster of condos.
Sunset on Kona.
Another view near our condo by the waterfront.
We did a lot of poke!
And the poke was good.
Punaluʻu Beach is a beach between Pāhala and Nāʻālehu on the Big Island. The beach has black sand made of basalt and created by lava flowing into the ocean which explodes as it reaches the ocean and cools. This volcanic activity is in the Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. Some resting big turtles.
This is the closest I could get to one of these gentle sea turtles.
Looking down the vast volcano floor at the Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. We hiked all the way down and across. At least it wasn’t too hot and humid. It was a pretty incredible experience.
Another view of the volcano floor.
The floor was broken up in many places with hardy brush dotting the landscape and piles of rocks constructed by visitors.
How far are we going? I seem to be asking.
One last look after coming back up.
After the hike across the volcano floor and visiting the visitor’s center, we headed east to hike through Akaka Falls State Park.
Akaka Falls did not disappoint. It was spectacular.
We were surrounded by beautiful flora.
It’s not easy being green – except in Hawai’i.
If I knew what I was looking at, I would let you know, but I can only stare, take a picture, and take a few moments in silence to appreciate the beauty of Hawai’i.
Amazing!
My favorite picture of Isabella and Jacob from Hawai’i.
And the favorite family photo from Hawai’i.
We ended the long day with burgers at Hilo Burger Joint. The Rossi clan!
The next day, a group of us went on a snorkeling trip to Captain Cook’s Cove. We didn’t get to the second spot, which was full of lava caves, because we got a late start from bathroom problems on the boat to an elderly woman who passed out and had to be brought back to shore. Quite an adventure before we even got to Captain Cook’s Cove. I didn’t last but 10 minutes. David kept saying, “You better tell them you can’t swim.” I grabbed a floating noodle, but that didn’t prepare me when I climbed off the last step of the ladder into the water. It was clear enough for me to see to the bottom, but the bottom was 200 feet away from me. So after scrambling and dragging David down with me, he safely brought me back to the boat, where I watched everyone else snorkel!
Isabella waves to David and then she decides she is tired and he has to drag her back to the boat.
A pretty cool picture of Jacob snorkeling.
I took this picture of Captain Cook’s Cove. I didn’t last but 10 minutes. David kept saying, “You better tell them you can’t swim.” I grabbed a floating noodle, but that didn’t prepare me when I climbed off the last step of the ladder into the water. It was clear enough for me to see to the bottom, but the bottom was 200 feet away from me. So after scrambling and dragging David down with me, he safely brought me back to the boat, where I watched everyone else snorkel!
I found a museum downtown that was newly founded by enthusiastic volunteers who wanted to honor Hawaiian quilts – the Kona Hawaiian Quilt Museum ( 75-5706 Kuakini Hwy APT 112, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740).
The quilt on the left is an antique. It was quite seditious for its time. Patriots would put these quilts on their bed, but when subjected to searches, they would flip the quilt over to hide their patriotism to the Hawaiian royalty. Pretty amazing history.
This quilt honors the fiery volcano eruption of 2018, which caused a lot of devastation to homes and flora and fauna.
Some more quilts with a Hawaiian theme.
Vintage Hawaiian-themed quilts.
Look what I found in the nearby shopping center – at the Hawaiian shaved ice shack – Halo halo with ube ice cream!
We found a horse ranch on the Hilo side of the island, so Isabella could have her horse-riding fix.
While Isabella rode….
We cavorted with the adopted pig at the horse ranch.
Jacob found a friend among the many dogs on the ranch.
Afterwards, we went in search of Rainbow Falls and were delighted.
Have to get the mom and daughter photo in – at Rainbow Falls.
Not sure what kind of tree this is, but what a creation – a tangle of branches and roots.
We had a great meal at the Fish and the Hog Market Cafe. It was a hoppin’ place.
Poke and dahlias.
I don’t know what this is, but there was nothing left on the plate after Jacob was done.
We took a Kona Coffee tour at Greenwell Farms. And it was good.
I don’t know what this is, but it’s pretty amazing.
Amazing patterns in this huge tree.
Coffee beans. Kona coffee beans!
We also did a little tour of the Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory and sampled delicious chocolates. These are cocoa beans, or pods.
We did a lot of wandering, and met up with this fella.
Sea turtle in shallow waters.
Same guy? Different part of the beach.
Jacob patiently waiting for sea turtles to ascend.
We frequented Rebel Kitchen a few times for lunch ( 79-7399 Hawaii Belt Rd, Kealakekua, HI 96750).
Some type of fish dish at Rebel Kitchen.
With one last look at the sea turtles.
And the last dinner on the Big Island with the Rossi clan at the Kona Brewing Company….
We went snorkeling in other local beaches. We had time on our last day for David and the kids to do one last dive into the ocean. David caught this sea turtle descending with a GoPro camera at Two Step State Beach. Fittingly, this is our last image of our time in Hawai’i.
