Hawaii's National Parks and Historic Sites
Five Islands
February 16-March 3, 2004
I had never been to Hawaii before, so I jumped at the idea of visiting five islands in 16 days,
concentrating on the National Parks and historic places.
The trip exceeded my expectations. Here are some highlights.
Pu'uhonua on the Big Island
| The Big Island | Rob McGovern, our indefatigable guide | Offering to Pele at Kilauea: Please don't get angry again |
Our tour began on the Big Island, where we stayed at Kilauea Military Camp, near Volcanoes National Park. We toured the craters and lava flow sites then headed for Kona, stopping at Black Sands Beach to see the Green Sea Turtles, and Pu'uhonua--the royal residence of the Hawaiian ali'i and place of refuge for those who broke the kapu. In Kona we stayed at the beautiful Kona Royal Resort and had time to enjoy the town of Kona on Sunday morning. |
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| Mauna Loa above Kilauea Crater | Gail Thomas, my roommate | Ash hill by Devastation Trail |
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| Lava shelf | Lava tube | Susan McGovern and her sister dance for us |
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| Black Sands Beach | Standing on the lava flow with Marilyn | Green sea turtle |
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The Wall at Pu'uhonua--Safety lay behind it for those who had broken the kapu (taboo) |
St. Francis at St. Michael's Parish, Kona | Pu'uhonua
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| Hulihe'e Palace in Kona | Sunday in Mokuaikaua Church, Kona | We didn't spend much time relaxing by the pool at Kona Resort |
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| The Boom-boom platform at our resort | Kites for sale in Kona | Sunset from Kona Royal Resort |
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| Rainbow eucalptus grove on Maui | Maui | Maui coastal road to Hana |
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From Hawaii we flew to Maui, where we drove the scenic route to Hana, where Francis & Esse Sinenci gave us a cookout. Along the way our guide Sam took us to a eucalyptus grove and a heiau. Our visit to the Haleakala was a highlight for me. A surfer beach was our last stop. |
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| Pi'ilanihale Heiau, Maui | Sam Kaai performs a chanting protocol | Hana Coast, Maui |
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| With Marn at the cookout on Hana | Esse Sinenci | Haleakala Crater |
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| Kula Lodge Restaurant | Kula Lodge Garden | Surfing off Hookipa Beach |
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| Our rustic digs at Molokai Hotel | Molokai | Beachfront on Molokai |
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From Maui we flew to Molokai, where we visited the Meyer Sugar Mill, the Molokai Museum, and the Nene Refuge run by Arleone Dibben-Young. Our intended visit to the Leper Colony was cancelled by bad weather. The treat of Molokai was a luau. |
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| 1878 R.W. Meyer Sugar Mill | Nene Refuge | Stormy day at our hotel when a Pacific storm kept us from flying to Kalaupapa |
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| Noe discusses a historic quilt of Mary Bongolon's | Rudy Bongolon | Penny Gomard dances the Kumu Hula at the luau |
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| Group picture after the luau | Kauai |
Kilauea Lighthouse Wildlife Refuge |
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Our next stop was the garden island of Kauai, where we stayed at the Coconut Beach Hotel. We visited Waimea Canyon, the Kilauea Lighthouse Wildlife Sanctuary, and various bays along the north coast. |
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| At Waimea Canyon | Kilauea Lighthouse | Taro Fields |
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| Iao Valley State Park on Maui | Coconut Beach Hotel | Kalikiwai Beach |
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| Outrigger Canoe at Hanalei Bay | Oahu | Hanalei Bay |
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From Kauai we flew to Oahu, where we visited the Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor, Punchbowl the National Cemetery of the Pacific, and toured Honolulu, Waikiki Beach, and the Pali Highway. Thank you, |
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