Day 1
Pu`uhonua o Honaunau
(Place of Refuge)
This area, surrounded by lava rock walls,
served as a place of refuge, or sanctuary in ancient Hawaii.
Minor law-breakers and refugees of war could seek safety and
redemption by arriving here before their pursuers.
"The Painted Church"
This small Catholic church (St. Benedict's) became
"The Painted Church" after Fr. John Velge decorated its interior
between 1899-1904 to communicate Bible stories to
non-English-speaking Hawaiians.
Bayview Kona Coffee Farm
Kealakekua Bay
Captain James Cook was the first British explorer to
reach the Hawaiian Islands. Originally mistaken for the God Lono,
Cook was killed here in 1779 during a misunderstanding.
A monument sits across the bay on a small plot of
land which is officially British soil, as deeded by Princess Likelike.
Hale Ho`ola B&B
Some pictures from the Hale Ho 'ola Bed and Breakfast.
The breakfasts and views were outstanding.
We had a private lanai, and yes those are pictures of a
feral pig and a gecko lizard! The pigs kept their distance, but
the lizards joined us for breakfast every morning.
Day 2
Drive from Kona to Volcano
Volcanoes National Park
Crater Rim Drive
Volcanoes National Park
Walking through the Thurston Lava Tube
Volcanoes National Park
Driving down Chain of Craters Road
Volcanoes National Park
Walking over recent lava flows to view the active Pu'u 'O'o Vent!
Day 3
Space Observatories on Mt. Mauna Kea
13,796 ft
Day 4
Strolling along Ali'i Drive in Kona
Historic Fish Ponds
at Makaiwa Bay
Last Day
Punalu'u Black Sand Beach
on Southeast Corner of Island
Volcanoes National Park
We returned to the Volcanoes National Park on our last day
to hike the Kilauea Iki Crater! This is a frozen lake of lava
that solidified only 11 years ago.
South Point
This is the southern-most point of the entire United States.
José jumps off South Point!
There he is in the water below...
Just kidding - that was some other crazy guy who jumped,
Here we are high and dry...
This is the actual South Point - a few steps south from where the pictures above were taken...
Watching the sunset at Hale Ho`ola B&B
