Chuck and I took a trip to the Big Island of Hawai’i to get some much-needed winter sunshine. I had visited 13 years ago but on my last trip, it was more about drinking beer on the beach instead of exploring the beauty of the island and learning the fascinating history… I’m getting old 🙂

Here is our trip in pictures… my Hawai’i Love.

Flying over Maui

Our favorite Big Island beach – Makalawena

Kamehameha the Great

Kona coast

Hawaiian Rainbow goodness; Merman

Monk seal memorial; R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

Pu’uhonua o Honaunau (Place of Refuge) National Historical Park – where kapu (sacred law)-breakers go –

Hale O Keawe Heiau

Ki’i (carved wooden images of gods)

Halau (thatched work house)

‘Āle‘ale‘a Heiau

Southern Kona sunlit tree

Amazing setting for a rope swing – Waialea Beach

Fish Shark on!

Pololu Valley

Fishing net hammock

‘A’ cairn; The lovely hula

Sunset splash

Heart-shaped tree at White Sands Beach

Miloli’i Church; Sacred ground

The angry sea off of the walk to Honomalino Bay

Big Island’s Ka Lae (South Point) – the southernmost point in the U.S.

No Trespassing

Honoli’i Beach in Hilo; Rainy hibiscus; Stone surfer; Gorgeously-colored gecko

Pe’epe’e Falls

Rainbow Falls

Beautifully big banyan tree

Kapoho Tidepools

Guava smoothie and tasty rambutan fruit; More Kapoho tidepools; Fresh coconut milk; Magical services – curse removal for me, soul retrieval for Chuck

Big Island tree tunnel

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park –

Halemaumau Crater

Looking back towards the Chain of Craters Road

Lava

Lava love – lava entering the ocean WAY behind us

Road Closed

Holei Sea Arch; Pele

Fire and water; Crack

Green goodness

Akaka Falls; Bed & Breakfast fruit plate; Sugar Cane tops

Waipi’o Valley – the Valley of Kings. This was one of the highlights of our trip – truly a magical place. We hiked the steep road down into the Valley, enjoyed the black sand beach, and explored the taro farms. Also, this is where the final scene in the movie ‘Waterworld’ was filmed…

Breathtaking Waipi’o Valley

In the Valley

Taro waterfall

Sunlit field

Pretty valley sights

Awesome view from our Waipi’o nanea (home)

Aloha and Mahalo Hawai’i!

Trip Details –

Where we stayed:

Kailua-Kona – Via VRBO.com, we scored a great spot right across the street from White Sands Beach (aka Magic or Disappearing Sands – the sand goes bye-bye in the wintertime).

Hilo – We stayed at the Orchid Tree Bed & Breakfast – it was absolutely fantastic! Great location, great breakfasts, and great advice on where to explore.

Waipio Valley – Waipio Valley Nanea was the perfect place to stay – love, loved it!

Where we ate:

Kona Pub & Brewing Co, Kailua-Kona – I was able to have my favorite Wailua Wheat beer on tap along with a fantastic strawberry salad and a Puna Pie pizza slice.

Basik Açaí, Kailua-Kona – This is my favorite breakfast place ever – açaí, health, and aloha! The Kilauea Bowl was fantastic – açaí, strawberries, papaya, goji berries, granola, honey, bee pollen and hemp milk – super hippie food but so great!

Huggo’s, Kailua-Kona – Best happy hour ever – live music, hula dancing, Hawaiian Rainbows, and kalua pig tacos.

Cafe Pesto, Hilo – Great woodfire pizza

Sombat’s Fresh Thai Cuisine, Hilo – Amazing pineapple curry

Solimene’s, Waimea – Yummy italian food

Some images available for purchase here.

 A hui hou Big Island!

White Sands Village on Dwellable