Blogs from Hawaii, United States, North America - page 148

In the morning we see Mauna Kea from our dinning room corner. Today we start with our second class about Hawai'ian language with Susan. Then we have another class at the Lyman Museum - Ancient Plants and Medicines of Hawai'i with Linda Collazo and her assistant. Lunch at Miyo's Japanese Restaurant enjoyed by all. we visit Volcano Tree National Park and see the effect of lava in the forest. Very Impressive- Rob McGovern, Susan's husband, helps us understand the lava tube (which we walk through later) and the lava trees. Very impressive! Susan has planned a picnic supper at the flow front but the winds don't cooperate and we can't see the flow front - too many fumes blowing towards us so we go to plan "B". We go to another location farther away where we ... read more

Today was our major field trip day with stops at Hilo farmer's market, Akaka Falls, Honoka'a where we had lunch. We went to a restaurant called Tex Drive In and had a wonderful salad-sandwich lunch with delicious donut desert. We also learned what a "Loco Moco" is: (a pile of rice, then hamburger patty or any kind of meat you want including Spam slice, a fried egg, and brown gravy over top) ACH! A cholesterol night-mare or dream depending on how you look at it! Our next stop is Waipi'o Overlook, and then Pu'ukohola Heiau. We met John Young at the Heiau and he told us about King Kamehameha I and building of the Heiau and surrounding events-politics, battles , etc. It was all very impressive! We returned to our hotel singing together in our van, ... read more

Morning came early and bright sun shone after a dreary night. Ann sent me for the camera because, out over Coconut Island where we had Happy Hour, rose the majestic snow-capped peak of Mauno Kea. It was a gorgeous sight. I must confess I wish the hotel had assigned us a room on that side of the building instead of overlooking the trees. But, hey, we were in Hawai'i. And we could always walk out on the terrace on that side of the building to enjoy the view of Mauna Kea, Coconut Island, and Hilo Bay. . . and Mauna Loa and downtown Hilo . . . . After breakfast, Susan taught us a couple Hawai'ian songs, "Hukilau Hula" and "My Little Grass Shack." She is good singer and teacher. That little musical interlude led into ... read more

The Elderhostel is an educational program set up under some institution like a college. In our case, ours was sponsored by a museum based in Hilo. The directors are usually very competent in their knowledge of the Elderhostel's theme and hope that the educational aspect of the program is really what the attendees want. Of course, many attendees come for other reasons. If the area is the draw (and Hawai'i certainly is that!), you can count on seeing many significant features of the area. Meals, lodging, and transportation are also provided. The main difference between Elderhostels and tours is the educational component so you would expect to find participants are well-educated and self-disciplined. But another difference is that participants tend to be senior citizens. That factor sometimes negates the degree of competence of those who come. ... read more

Heading Out to Hawai'i Ann wisely studies everything she can about wherever we are going. I study on a lot of stuff so when it comes to vacations and travel, I am content to accept whatever happens and go with the flow. So getting up at 3 in the morning is no big deal if we are to make connections from Sarasota to Atlanta to Honolulu to Hilo in time to take a room at the Elderhostel's hotel a day early. The camera recorded some of the flight, the marvelous garden courtyard of the Honolulu airport, and our Hawai'ian Airline plane. Unrecorded was that we made every connection just fine despite my anxiety. My being closer to 74 years of age than not, 21 straight traveling hours was not kind to me, something I didn't expect. ... read more