Todd and Cindy's Travel Blog

On Sunday afternoon while relaxing on the lanai, we spotted a Green Sea turtle right out in front. (So exciting to watch him/her navigate on the rocks in the water) We have seen a few in the water by the sea wall in town, but this was the first one we spotted in front of our condo.

Sunday night, Todd and I walked to Kona Brewery to listen to the live band and have dinner. Ms Demeanor and the Felons, a local group, played their own music and some cover tunes incorporating a style of contemporary with a hint of rock. The music was good, the food tasty, and the beers refreshing; a great evening.

Last year when we were here, Kona Brewery talked about relocating to build a larger facility. They looked at places all over the island and finally settled on a location just down the street from their current location. They broke ground last week.

Monday morning, Dave and Aline picked me up (Todd was feeling unwell and opted to stay back) and we drove to Kahaluu Beach Park. Although a little crowded, it was a great place to snorkel. I saw numerous fish. Below is a picture with a Rock-mover Wrasse, a Yellow Tang, and the colourful  Humuhumunukunukuapua’a (now that’s a mouthful!).

The Humuhumunukunukuapua’a is a Reef Triggerfish, and although not native to Hawaii, it is the official Hawaiian state fish. Todd recorded how the name is pronounced !

Here is a picture of a Kihikihi or Moorish Idol.

We walked in (beach shoes, no flippers) and then swam out to deeper water. While picture snapping, I saw a Magnificent Snake Eel! All I can say is it is a good thing it was down deep or panic would’ve set in…

Tuesday, Aline and I went with SeaQuest for deep water snorkeling in Kealakekua Bay. This is the same place we went last year by the Captain Cook memorial.

We saw so many fish! It was mesmerising swimming among the fish in the coral reef. I didn’t want to leave, but the hour was up, and everyone was back on the boat…they did offer to leave me and pick me up next day, lol. Below are a scant few of the hundred or so pictures I took: Goldring Surgeon fish –

Pinktail Durgon –

The highly visible and common Yellow Tang with a Black Durgon leaving the frame –

Achilles Tang (aka – Paku’iku’i) and Achilles Tang with Black Sea Urchins and Yellow Tang –

Wave Wednesday! The waves are so high today with multiple breaks coming ashore. A high surf advisory has been issued – waves 8 to 10 feet crashing ashore.

We have never seen it like this on the west side of the island.

The uncharacteristically high waves, the Wednesday cruise ship, and the ever-gorgeous sunset, made for a great time-lapse.

The high surf advisory continued into Thursday, closing many beaches and keeping most surfers and boogie-boarders out of the water.

Todd lost his Hawaiian virginity on Thursday. While down among the rocks, collecting some shells, he spotted Opihi clinging to the rocks. Shaped like a mini Mount Fuji, these shell fish are considered a cultural delicacy.

They are generally eaten raw, but can also be eaten poke-style or grilled. They are an acquired taste, and even some locals we know are turned off by these. They are rubbery yet crunchy and taste like the ocean (salty). Todd quite enjoyed it (should have seen my face watching him eat it!) and wants to find more.

It is hard to believe that our time here is almost done…less than a week to go.

 

 

Saturday Aline and Dave picked us up and we went to a small car show at a nearby plaza.

The Lanihau Center Car Show was free and was a fundraiser for the local humane society.

It featured a number of cars, bikes, and trucks.

Sunday the main street (Alii Drive) in Kona was closed to traffic and over a 100 vendors set up stalls along the street.

Monday morning, while we were enjoying coffee on the lanai, a huge group of swimmers and dolphins went past, following the Iron Man course.

Dave and Aline picked us up late morning, and we drove just past Hawi to see the original King Kamehameha I Statue. Known as Hawaii’s greatest king, the statue is erected near his birthplace.

Our next stop was a trail beginning on the roadside, leading down to Kiholo Bay. We saw some wild goats.

Once we reached the water, we walked along the shoreline – a bit of a challenge through the stone and sand.

We came across three interesting properties. First was the “Bali” home built for John Paul DeJoria, co-founder of Paul Mitchell hair products. The home was built in Bali by 280 Balinese carpenters. The hand-carved house took 4 years to complete, then it was disassembled and shipped to Hawaii where it took another 2 years to reconstruct.

The next home, “The Yellow House” was built for Earl Bakken, the inventor of the pacemaker. He moved into his 17,000 square foot dream home at the age of 65. He’s over 90 now…

The third house was built for Loretta Lynn, but after the death of her oldest son, she never moved in. The 2,000 square foot house was left vacant and finally sold to Bakkan along with its 3 acres of land in 1999. Bakken then did a land swap with the State – trading the 3 acres of land with Lynn’s house for 6 acres of land next to his existing property (expanding his property to 9 acres).

Tuesday, after a day of rest, Dave, Aline, Todd, and I made our way to Umeke’s again to say hi to Naia. And once again, we had a few beers and ate dinner. I had the short ribs with mac salad and fries…so tasty.

Todd had the Bomb Trio – 3 kinds of Poke served on sushi rice with a wasabi mayo drizzle and  a side of cucumber kimchee. He said it was really good (I’ll take his word for it…).

Wednesday, we went with Aline and Dave to see a house being built by a couple they know. It is quite impressive. Their 1 acre of land includes numerous plants: coffee, avocado, mango, lemon, and squash.

Then we went to a market by the Sheraton. We picked up 3 packs of mac nuts, some local honey, and a Patriots hat( Hawaiian style) for Todd.

Thursday we went to Mauka Meadows Coffee Farm with Aline and Dave. We enjoyed walking the grounds as we headed down to the coffee tasting area.

The views are quite picturesque.

Spiders are plentiful and BIG !

And the grounds are impressive (even if few plants were currently blooming).

This was a return visit – we came here last year. They now charge $5 pp, so after 2 visits, we probably will not be returning…

We get such great entertainment just sitting on our lanai looking out to the water.

Saturday, after a night of heavy rain, we woke up to an amazing rainbow, that continued to intensify, then was joined by another rainbow; not quite as intense, but a stunning view.

In the afternoon we, walked into town to the Huilhe’e Palace for their annual fundraiser event. We toured the palace, then walked the grounds.

Todd found this giant bee buzzing around the flowers in the gardens.

Vendors set up on the lawn and live music and hula dancers entertained the masses.

Chef Todd continues to make amazing meals (although, that is no real surprise). Below is one of our lunchtime salads with homemade dressing.

We have been eating a lot of a local mushroom called the Alii Oyster mushroom. It has a firm texture and is delicious.

Fried in butter, they go great with bbq steak.

With only 1 ½ weeks left, we are fully appreciating every amazing sunset…