Hawaii

December 29, 2009-January 2, 2010
AC63 YYZ-YVR, AC47 YVR-HNL, Dec 30 HA183 HNL-ITO, Jan 2 AC50 KOA-YVR, Jan 3 AC34 YVR-YYZ

Going to Hawaii during the Christmas holiday is probably a little clichéd, but we do enjoy Hawaii and it was a great way to use some hotel and airline points for a comfortable and inexpensive holiday.  The weather was very nice, and as we normally do, we had a good opportunity to have dinner with our friends Yuka and Robert.  Unfortunately, we were flying just after the underwear bomber was caught, and with changed security were very limited on what we could take on the plane.  After a disagreement with the check in agent, Tom did get his camera bag through security and I managed to hold on to my laptop and all the supporting electronics.  However, this did mark the beginning of a period of frustrating and uncertain travel to the US, as the security rules continued to change.  We spent the first day on the Big Island around Volcano national park and saw big changes since our last visit.  The main crater under the visitor center had opened up a vent, and they had to close a lot of the trails from the sulphur fumes.  The lava was flowing well east of the park, but relatively close to the road so we made a dusk trip for some cool photos.  We then had two days in Kona at the Hilton resort.  On our way, we violated the rental agreement and drove to the top of Mauna Kea (13,803 ft) which was very cold but the views were worth the trip.  The Hilton was very nice, but crazy big, meaning you had to walk forever to get anywhere (or take the monorail!).  However, it was free and we had a great time so cannot complain too much.    

December 29
After a day of flying we have dinner with Yuka and Robert in Honolulu

December 30
We fly to Hilo seeing President Obama’s Air Force 1 and 2 on the way

On our way to the airport in Honolulu we stop at Pali lookout

Sulphur Banks along crater rim drive

Driving towards the coast on Chain of Craters Road

Looking Northeast up the coast towards the active flow

After driving 120km around the vent via Kapaahu, we walk to see the flow enter the ocean

The flow glows as the sun sets; we then walk back 1.5km to the car over sharp lava in the dark

December 31
We spend the morning in the park before driving across the Island

The current active vent in Kilauea Caldera from Jaggar Musuem

The sun hidden by the active volcano steam and sulphurous gases

Mauna Loa Road drive up to Mauna Loa lookout; two lanes of traffic on one lane of pavement

Calderas as we drive across Saddle Road towards Mauna Kea

Before heading to the 13,000 ft Mauna Kea summit we acclimatize at the State Park

Looking down on the clouds and calderas from above

Warning sign at the top with strategic holes to combat the high winds

Trying to stay warm in front of some of the observatories

More views from above

Some of the communication equipment from the numerous observatories

Don’t tell the rental car company we drove on Mauna Kea Access Road

More calderas on our way down from the summit

After a long day of driving we enjoy sunset from Waikoloa

The aptly named Sunset Point from the Hilton Waikoloa prior to New Year’s dinner

January 1
We sleep in and spend the day touring the western half of the Island

One of the many birds on the Hilton grounds

Wood carvings in Kaloko-Honokohau National Park

More carvings along the beach

Traditional konane game along the beach in the national park

One of the many green sea turtles in the park, staying off the beach, away from the crowd

Sunset from the resort

January 2
Our last day on the island before our late flight home

Tidal pools just outside the hotel

One of the resort’s dolphins before the guest visits begin

The monorail that moved us around the vast resort

After lunch in Waimea a stop at King Kamehameha Statue in Kapaau

Looking east across Polulu Valley to the North Coast

The black sand beach at the end of Awini Trail

Pu’ukohola Heiau -- place of worship originally built in 1791

January 3
With flight delays we didn’t get out until after midnight, and spent the rest of the day flying