Hawaii (Big Island) - September 13-17, 2006

	The view from our 1st night hotel the Kona Seaside in Kailua-Kona
	Touring the visitor's center of the Kona Blue Sky coffee farm
	Driving north along the Queen Ka'ahumanu highway, the highway is strewn for miles with various writings done in white stones in the lava fields.
	The wide expanse of a shield volcano, the Big Island's twins are nearly 14,000 feet above sea level.
	A quick visit to see 'Anaeho'omalu Beach

Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel

	We spent a full day right here
	Holly under her umbrella
	Snacktime at a 5 star resourt? Bring your own snacks
	But the nectar drinks are really good
	Our 2nd evening at Hapuna Beach Prince
	The breezeway and open air breakfast area

Kohala Coast

	Pu'ukohola Heiau, a temple of sorts built for his war god by King Kamehameha in 1791. The story is that the stones were transported here by a human chain 20 miles long.
	Driving around the north coast, we came to the Pololu valley overlook
	A banyan tree, begins as an epiphyte and grows roots from its dangling vines
	Kamehameha Rock, supposedly the king carried it here from the beach below to demonstrate his strength.
	cows and wind turbines
	Yes, there is a cat there in the lava field
	driving on the rough dirt roads to find the birthplace of Kamehameha.

Kealakekua Bay

	After our two nights at the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel, we left for the southern coast to find Kealakekua Bay and do some snorkeling.
	Driving back to the south, the volcano slope is visible again
	Off the main road now, winding down to the boat launch
	We kayaked across the bay
	We made landfall much like these people are attempting, the current was strong here
	The snokeling site is at the Captain Cook monument
	Schools of fish and coral are in abundance, like these Yellow Tangs
	In the woods behind the monument, a mongoose peers at us

Let's go see some lava

	Driving through Hawaii Volcanoes NP
	There are trails through the lava fields
	The lava we seek is at the edge of the water flowing into the sea. In the very dim twilight we got a glimpse from far away. Eventually we would park and walk a mile or two in the dark on a road blocked to cars by lava flow a few years ago. Lots of people make the trek, but unfortunately you can't get close enough to take any good pictures.
	Driving back, it's very very dark

Hilo and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

	Our hotel in Hilo
	The north edge of the Kilauea Caldera, steam vents and sulpher banks along Crater Rim Drive
	the Southwest Rift, you wouldn't want to have been here when this opened up
	The forest on the walk down to the Thurston Lava Tube
	Near the entrance of the Thurston Lava Tube, formed about 500 years ago
	On a bit of a whim, we decide to use our evening to drive to the summit of Mauna Kea
	At the Onizuka Visitor's Center at 9200 feet, we were advised to stop for at least 30 minutes to acclimatize to elevation before continuing to the summit.
	The road to the summit is only partially paved, but it's in good condition. Still, have 4WD felt better when you are above the clouds.
	The summit is 13,796 feet above sea level and is home to several observatories
	The sunset, spectacular. Yes, we're in Hawaii and yet I still managed to find some place cold to take Holly.
	On the way back down, we stopped for a guided star tour at the visitor's center. It gave me an opportunity to try some long exposures, on a little hiking tripod and timer.

Punalu'u Beach

Punalu'u is a black sand beach where it seem sea turtles reliably munch on seaweed and come ashore to rest