Geo: 19.6452, -155.997 I don't think I've ever stayed at a resort before and pictured one as being a place with everything you could want at your fingertips. The Royal Kona is perched right on the coast at the south end of Ali'i Drive and is within walking distance to any stores or restaurants you could want. You can walk to the pier to catch the snorkeling tours or bus tours. The resort has tennis courts, a fitness center, spa, Don's Mai Tai Bar and Don's Restaurant. There is a luau on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday nights. They have their own private salt water lagoon and a regular pool. Parking costs $10 per day and they also charge for internet. When I checked in, the guy said he upgraded me to an ocean front room ... read more

Geo: 19.6452, -155.997Today I headed north along the Kohala Coast. First stop of the day was Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park. This park preserves the coastal sections of two ahupua'a or traditional land divisions. Families fished and farmed here. There are very few facilities in this park, but lots of hiking trails. If you were to hike, you would need to bring plenty of water and something to provide some shade. I went in the entrance that is off the parking lot for the Honokohau boat harbor. Once inside the park gate there is a map and box with park brochures. There is a short walk to the coastline which comes out by a heiau or religious temple. The water here is so clear and perfect for strolling along the shore. There were some replicas of huts ... read more

Geo: 19.6452, -155.997Today I left Volcano for Kailua-Kona on the west coast. The shortest route is to follow Hwy 11 west out of Volcano, passing the southernmost point in the US and then going north along the coast. The other route is to take Hwy 19 north out of Hilo and follow it around the north side of the island. I chose to take the north route as it sounded more scenic and I wanted to hit the farm markets in Waimea. Hwy 19 did not disappoint! There were some stretches along the east coastline that were a bit scary (a road my dad would love to drive) but I paid attention to the changing scenery rather than the scary twists, turns and climbs. I took the turn off for Akaka Falls State Park, which heads ... read more

Geo: 19.4308, -155.238So today was a mishmash of various things which took me north, south and west of Hilo. First stop was the Homelani Memorial Park to track down the headstone of some distant relative on my dad's side. The ladies in the office were very helpful and one walked me over to the section and helped me find him. Apparently he was located in the prominent people section so he must have had something to do with the settling of Hilo or something like that. So, dead people taken care of, it was time to do some sightseeing. First stop was Rainbow Falls State Park. The park is located a little farther inland from the cemetery and has no entrance fee. All the park consists of is an overlook platform for the falls. But it ... read more

Geo: 19.4308, -155.238Long flights are not something I would call fun, but they are even less fun when there are delays, missed connections and wayward baggage! My flight from Chicago to Honolulu was delayed by almost 2 hours due to the incoming flight being delayed. And then flights to Honolulu and Tokyo were boarding at the same time from neighboring gates, which was apparently too confusing for the Tokyo passengers as they kept coming through our boarding lines and had to be redirected. The nice lady who was announcing the boarding groups repeatedly said "Honolulu is now boarding group 1. Tokyo is gate 16, not 17" but some failed to listen so that also slowed down our departure. Once on board, I had a nice aisle seat in the row that backs up to the bathroom. ... read more