Blogs from Kailua-Kona, Big Island, Hawaii, United States, North America

Our first day in Hawaii was a resort day. I had worried a bit about how the kids would do with jet lag and figured a day to relax and nap wouldn't be a bad thing. Honestly, the laid-back day at our Outrigger Kona resort worked out great! Yesterday, we arrived at the airport at 7:15am Central time (3:15am Hawaii time). At our layover in Denver, we learned that United stopped doing the Hawaii pre-clear in the airport (that's where they check your vaccination documents and give you a bracelet so that you don't have to stand in the long clear line in Hawaii). So, when we landed in Hawaii at 4:15pm (8:15pm Central), we had to wait to be cleared. After that, we caught our shuttle to the car rental place and waited for our ... read more

Lekeleke burial grounds At the end of our road there is a huge lava field that is a sacred Hawaiian historical sight. It marks the location of a huge battle in 1819. In the 1819 Battle of Kuamo‘o, Hawaiian forces clashed over the traditional kapu religious system. The dispute pitted the forces of Kekuaokalani, nephew of Kamehameha I, who sought to preserve the traditional system, against his cousin, Liholiho (Kamehameha II), who had abandoned the kapu system. Liholiho was victorious, but many warriors from both sides perished in battle and were buried on the property, including Kekuaokalani and his wife, Chiefess Manono. With her dying breath, Chiefess Manono is said to have uttered “Mālama kō aloha”‐ “keep your love”‐ a plea to both sides that no matter what obstacles come to Hawai‘i, keep your love ... read more

Well, we are into the new year and are settling into a nice routine. I am getting up around 6:30 each morning and taking a walk up the hill to the Keauhou Shopping Cente where I have found a lovely coffee shop. I sit outside, enjoy a good cup of coffe, perhaps a banana scone and listen to the birds chirp as they wake up. Going up the hill each morning I encounter a few runners training for the Ironman competition. They run full speed straight uphill for 2 light poles (about 200 yards), then walk back down. They do this several times.....it makes me tired just watching them. I think I’d rather be a “clay man”.....you are much softer but the training is not nearly so tiring! I walk back home in time for the ... read more

Well after two flights we are now in our Hotel in Kailua-Kona. Tim is in Waikiki with the school. It was a beautiful day in Honolulu when we were there. The airport was busy with several US Hornets taking off before us as we left Honolulu. The views back over Waikiki beach were really nice. Unfortunately a bit cloudy with patches of rain here in Kailua-Kona. Have an ocean front view but hoping the weather will be a bit better tomorrow. Walked along the ocean front and found a fish café for late lunch/early tea. It was really nice - especially the Peach Sangria!!... read more

This is a new travel site as the other one went belly up. Seems it only took us a few years to kill it. So we'd like to test drive this one while we are in Hawaii. We've fingered a few unfortunates to serve as Guinea Pigs, and you are among them. Lu, we lost Gary's email when the previous travel site died. Would please supply it? Mary Jane, we hope it is okay with you to serve as a Guinea Pig. As our first post we'll briefly review a trip to the northwest of this very large island.... read more