http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Hawaii/Big-Island/Kailua-Kona/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from North America , United States , Hawaii , Big Island , Kailua-Kona en-us Fri, 01 Jan 2010 19:05:38 +0000 Fri, 01 Jan 2010 19:05:38 +0000 Today is actually our second day on the ldquobig islandrdquo but we are on the other side of the island. We are in Kona today. This is much more of a tourist location than Hilo despite what our guide said yesterday. We had to use the lifeboats to get to shore since the water is to shallow for the ship to dock they anchor and then ferry people back and forth to shore. Conversely Hilo ha http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Hawaii/Big-Island/Kailua-Kona/blog-439919.html I am blessed to say that this was my THIRD trip to the Big Island of Hawaii. My parents are big lovers of Hawaii and have been there even more times than I have. I use to say they were just obsessed but I think I may be too Now that one of the most important and romantic days of my life happened there it will always hold a very special place in my heart.We stayed at the Kona Coast Resorts just http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Hawaii/Big-Island/Kailua-Kona/blog-436896.html My fiancee Mathieu and I were due to get married on May 8th in Mexico. We took just over a year to plan this blessed event and had everything from the flowers to the photographers picked out. Thirty four of us were due to leave in a matter of days for an exciting two weeks of sun surf and sand we couldnt waitBut then... SWINE flu happened. We hoped that it was just the media blowing everything http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Hawaii/Big-Island/Kailua-Kona/blog-436891.html Kona Day 4 62209 We had a casual day and rested most of the morning having to catch up on laundry and do some swimming at the resort pool. We decided early on that we should go on a dinner cruise having enjoyed them in the past with historical perspectives being offered as part of the trip. Now when I called and booked this dinner I was met with the following Its Gay Pride night bu http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Hawaii/Big-Island/Kailua-Kona/blog-413040.html Day Three on the Big Island 62009Day three was awesome We spent most of the morning driving down state highway 11 stopping several times on our way to Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. We found South Point the southern most location in the United States. South point is referred to as Ka Lae and a barren land covered by dried grass lands cattle and an old wind farm that is not really http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Hawaii/Big-Island/Kailua-Kona/blog-410922.html Day 2 Kona We spend the day traveling to the east side of the island. Waterfalls and rain forests filled the morning with a visit to Akaka Falls State Park. The waterfall is over 400 feet After the stroll through the waterfall trails paved with stair rails we ventured to the World Botannical Gardens. This used to be a sugar cane field but is now complete with a water fall with three d http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Hawaii/Big-Island/Kailua-Kona/blog-410388.html Day 1 61809 We arrived in Kona at about 130 PM which is about 530 PM in Wyoming. We are staying at the Royal Kona Resort right on the ocean. The room is on the 6th floor with a room facing the ocean After a nice late lunch we strolled around the local area finding a Banyan Tree. Banyan trees have roots that grow from the top down into the ground. http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Hawaii/Big-Island/Kailua-Kona/blog-410022.html The next day we decided to rent Mopeds and attempt to make it to the hard to spot Black Sand beaches of Kiholo Bay. Being that I had never driven a moped before I was a bit skeptical about being able to successfully opperate it on the Highway but I figured my training of riding 4 wheelers might help a little. We started out with baby steps riding around in the parking lots around Kona and then http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Hawaii/Big-Island/Kailua-Kona/blog-393334.html The next day I had a 6 am wake up and headed on foot from the hostel to Jacks Diving Locker in Kailua Kona for my first day of scuba diving. Scuba in California was freezing so I decided to give it another shot in Hawaii. Even before we left the marina I saw a guy pulling out a huge swordfish from his boat to load into the back of his truck it was crazy. On the way to the dive sites High Rock http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Hawaii/Big-Island/Kailua-Kona/blog-393328.html While Kailua Kona hotels are getting more and more expensive vacation rental condos like this one at the Outrigger Kanaloa resort remain one of the best values for Big Island travelers. See Kanaloa at Kona for more information. http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Hawaii/Big-Island/Kailua-Kona/blog-391590.html Iets in mij zegt...dat het toch wel erg handig is weer eens iets van me te laten horen.5 weken Hawaii en het lijkt alsof ik al eeuwen weg ben. Alleen de gedachte aan Holland alleen al benauwt me ik wil echt niet terug. Heb hier vrienden gemaakt die me gaan helpen met die greencard... Het enige dat ik op dit moment wens is hier te kunnen zijn. En dat lukt dus vrij aardig 9786De afgelopen maan http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Hawaii/Big-Island/Kailua-Kona/blog-391331.html Mokulele Airlines....the name alone says it all Honolulu is only a short flight from Kona...but once we land weare in a different place. The lava fields are all over...not the red one for those who don't know but the lunarlandscape is already all over us.Another cool car...this time a little Mustang...we love the sound they do...and ready for our first stop the FourSeasons Hualalai. Let's say http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Hawaii/Big-Island/Kailua-Kona/blog-386032.html Rob had to return to Hilo to lead another shorter Elderhostel so we sadly say Aloha and Mahalo thank you. Susan and Rob made a great pair during the past week. Both are incredibly knowledgeable and experienced with everything from every kind of work people can do on the islands to the inner workings of the National Park Service We were grateful to have had him along.After a buffet brea http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Hawaii/Big-Island/Kailua-Kona/blog-378572.html The waves were still pretty high in the morning. All the safe seats were taken when we came down for breakfast so we got to sit next to the taped off area beyond which wave splashes gleefully glistened on the tables and chairs. We never were able to get there earlier than the whole group even though we were never lateSusan referred to our group as the Energizer Bunnies. A frequent feature o http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Hawaii/Big-Island/Kailua-Kona/blog-378547.html This morning we boarded our motorcoach and set out to discover The Vibrant History of Kona.First is The Kona Historical Society's Living History Farm where we meet 2 ladies dressed in long calico dresses the style of the 1820's. We hear about the early introduction of coffee to Kona by an American missionary in 1828.Kalukalu was the orignal Hawai'ian name when Englishman Henry Nickolas Greenw http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Hawaii/Big-Island/Kailua-Kona/blog-372748.html Susan had planned a snorkeling day for us but the winds and high surf were not cooperating and Kahalu'u Bay was closed. We were disappointed. Susan tried to sweet talk our way in but the life guards were having none of it So we went back to Kona Resort and changed into street clothes we were dressed with swim suit under shorts and T to be prepared to snorkel There was a short rest period d http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Hawaii/Big-Island/Kailua-Kona/blog-372417.html Today after breakfast we're all packed and in the coach luggage and all. Our first stop is Hawai'i Volcanos National Park. we walk through the rain forest and through an extinct lava tube. Rob Susan tell us about the many trees ferns and blossoms of the rain forest. We drive up to the Jaggar Musem at the top of Kilauea crater. Once again we couldn't see into the cauldera because of the heav http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Hawaii/Big-Island/Kailua-Kona/blog-372191.html I left Oahu on Wednesday and headed to the Big Island. My plane descended into this black lava field and desolate looking area.. Welcome to Kona My friend Justin lives here. I went to high school with him but never really knew him ..we found each other on myspace and he came over before my Australia trip and gave me so many great tips. This guy loves traveling as much as me if not more. http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Hawaii/Big-Island/Kailua-Kona/blog-353720.html hey bloggertjes hier nog een update dwij hebben een week verbleven in het hookena beach park wat echt wel super leuk was. wakker worden met het uitzicht op de zee met dus wel douche met water opgewarmd door de zon we konden daar dus snorkelen en hebben veel vissen gezien vooral de yellow tang en de schattige stripebelly puffer en de spotted eagle ray diegenie die finding nemo hebben gezien eagl http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Hawaii/Big-Island/Kailua-Kona/blog-350212.html A week has gone by since we landed and Michelle has headed home. We had every intention of posting daily but by the time we got back to our room we fell asleep exhausted. Here are a few highlights of our days. Our first day was one of my favorite days. We headed to Huna beach one of the top 10 beaches in the world. We swam and after being sufficiently roasted headed up to the North end of http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Hawaii/Big-Island/Kailua-Kona/blog-343287.html