Kona Days - Part 1

We spent the weekend in Kona, arriving late Friday evening and returning Sunday night. Here's the view from our room at the Keauhou Beach Resort in Kailua-Kona...an ancient heiau that has been restored. Some info from the hotel's website:

"The Hapaiali’i heiau at Kahalu’u was built on a pahoehoe lava flow that is covered by the sea at high tide and is thought to be much older than the nearby Ke’eku heiau. The Hapailai’i heiau has been carbon-dated to be from the early 1400’s and was a stone-constructed platform heiau and only used for prayers. At very low tide, petroglyphs carved into the pahoehoe may be visible. Traditional stories say that Chief Kamalalawalu of Maui, trying to invade, was defeated by Lonoikamakahiki and sacrificed at the Ke’eku heiau. Under the guidance of Hawaiian experts, both heiau have been undergoing careful restoration. The Hapailai’i heiau restoration is now complete and work continues on the nearby Ke’eku heiau."

Ryan and Haley spent a lot of time together (translation: we hardly saw him), starting when we first arrived at the hotel at almost 10 pm. Haley and her dad picked Ryan up so they could go see a movie at the nearby Keauhou Shopping Center. Darrell and I checked in to the hotel. It's newly renovated, lots of Hawaiian touches and artwork, not that fancy but very clean and comfortable. We couldn't see outside the lanai door because it was so dark but it seemed that we were in an oceanfront room (Darrell thought it was raining but it was really just the sound of the ocean outside). When we woke up the next morning, we were greeted by the awesome view! We took the obligatory photos on the lanai with the view in the background, but in one, I am making a goofy face, and in the other, I look too fat to even post on a blog that only I read, so both will only (maybe) go in the scrapbook.

After a buffet breakfast in the oceanfront dining room, we drove Ryan to Haley's home nearby (after getting a little lost by relying on Verizon Wireless' VZ Navigator that we downloaded to Ryan's phone...it works, but since reception wasn't the greatest, the commands to turn came a little delayed; had to make a couple of U-turns).

Haley's parents were going to drop the kids off in Kona town to walk around, so Darrell and I decided to drive to Waimea...38 miles from Kona one way. That's far for us city folk, it's only like 12 miles from home to work. On previous visits to the Big Island, we've usually just stayed around Waikoloa, so this was something new.

Most of the way, we felt like we were the only ones on the road.

Lots of interesting terrain...some looked like the lava had just been by fairly recently, while others were covered with plant growth.

Waimea is known for Parker Ranch and cattle farming, hence the cool sign at the shopping center.

Did the touristy bit with the cowboy statue, and also bought out KTA Supermarket's entire supply of furikake potato chips from Petroglyphs in Paradise (Atebara) and mochi from Two Ladies Kitchen for omiyage.

Found the Hawaiian Homestead Farmer's Market that we had read about, but were

a little disappointed because they were about to close down so not much to look at or buy (plus I just bought $100 worth of potato chips and mochi, so was not really inclined to spend any more!).

On a recommendation from Haley's dad, we went to Hawaiian Style Cafe for lunch. It's owned by their friend Guy. Great local style food...best teri hamburger I've ever had, and Darrell loved the loco moco. It was a lot of food so he took home half for Ryan's snack. Next time he wants to try the kalua pork loco...that was really huge!

We decided to go see the Parker Ranch homestead. This is the road leading in...like a tree tunnel. Darrell surprised me by saying, take a picture! He even stopped the car to let me out to get one.

This is a view of the trees from the homestead...they are all bent, like the wind blew them over. That's also our rental car, a Ford something or other, that was surprisingly comfortable.

This is what Parker Ranch's website says about the home:

"The 7,000-square-foot home has large, open rooms, high ceilings and an exquisite collection of art. Parker Ranch’s Historic Home Puuopelu was built in 1862. The house was occupied by generations of Parker descendents. Eventually, Richard Palmer Smart, a sixth-generation Parker and the home’s final resident, moved in. Smart spruced up the inside and out, adorning the house with his outstanding collection of French Impressionist and Chinese art and furniture that he collected while traveling abroad."

We were under-whelmed...it looked so small from the outside, we expected something a little grander. And when we walked in, it smelled so old and musty. There was a tour beginning and the guide called out to us if we wanted to join the tour...we declined since it was $9 per person and it didn't look worth it. After we declined, she made sure to tell us that the out buildings also required admission. Forget it, let's go!

Headed on back to Kona...40 miles. Lucky Darrell was driving, so I could take a nap! The vog started covering up the sky and there was some rain too. We had been lucky to have blue skies on the way over. It was so cool and green in Waimea...Darrell said he wouldn't mind living there. I guess it would be nice, but I'd have to work there too...I wouldn't want to do the drive on a regular basis, especially not at night without street lights!