We were lucky to take a trip to Hawaii – without our RV of course. We usually try to get to Hawaii every other year but we missed being in Hawaii for several years. Mike’s Mom, Ruth Cimino, also came with us. Unfortunately, during our stay, there was a lot of overcast and rain so the sun did not shine every day which was disappointing. We decided we were never coming to Hawaii in March again. Long story short is that during our stay Maui actually started flooding and the “Pineapple Express” hung over Hawaii during our stay. You can read about through the link. Anyhow, we were in Hawaii and that made us happy.
We started on the Big Island and stayed at the Royal Kona Resort. We both had ocean front rooms which was awesome. Of course, we got to see the cruise ships and from our room could watch the Luau and preparations for the pig.
The Luau Layout getting read for the pig.
Mike and Lorraine were able to go on a whale tour. It was late in the season to see the whales but we were lucky to see more than ten whales. We saw the mothers and babies (cows) as well as males. None of them did a full breach but we could see them peak over the water.
It is awesome to see these wild mammals as well as knowing they come to Hawaii to birth their babies (cows). We could see the cows by the spurt of air coming out from the ocean. These whale tours are awesome and so worth the price.
Mom then treated us all to a helicopter tour to see the lava. Lorraine got the front seat and Mom and Mike got the back seats. It was an awesome ride. Steam all over the place. We were lucky to see a stream of lava that appeared to recently have opened up according to the pilot. Because of the heat and the steam, the helicopter cannot fly over the crater where the lava is large but this flight was awesome. He actually turned the helicopter on its side so you could actually see it moving below you.
Touring the island was also nice. We went to breakfast down the street to Huggos which was walking distance. Of course we had to have coconut macadamia pancakes with coconut syrup. Yum. We had Mom take her picture through the cut out so that she was a true tourist.
Mike and Lorraine were able to snorkel only once. The issues with the overcast meant that snorkeling was not easy and bright. We didn’t get swim with the turtles or see a lot of fish but it was great being in the water.
The Royal Kona Resort also had some great Tiki Statutes outside.
We also had to take Mom to the lava and let her stand on the lava. Of course you need to learn about the three types of lava in Hawaii.
“When lava is underground in its molten state it is called magma. As it reaches the ground, and air, it is called lava. Once lava begins to harden it can turn into a variety of shapes and colors. The color of lava depends on the temperature of the flow as well as the chemical composition and any impurities that are in the liquid rock. Colors can include black, red, gray, brown and tan, metallic sliver, pink, and green. Some lava has peridot (olivine) in it which are beautiful olive colored semi-precious crystals that, once they weather and break apart, are responsible for our famous green sand beaches.
When lava cools it also forms a myriad of different shapes and types of lava. There are two main types of lava pahoehoe (pa-hoy-hoy) and a’a (ah ah). Pahoehoe lava comes out smooth and dense and can form large areas that resemble flat parking lots or smooth bumps. A’a, on the other hand, forms individual rocks on the surface anywhere from a few inches to many feet in size. The rocks are porous and very jagged. Below the surface a’a is extremely dense. In general, pahoehoe is very easy to walk on and a’a is very difficult, if not nearly impossible, to walk on (at least without getting hurt).
A third type of lava, pillow lava, forms only underwater and is created by lava entering the ocean underwater where the pressure of the ocean pushes against the lava to form pillow-like shapes that cool very quickly due to the ocean water.”
Mom got to stand on the panoehoe lava.
We also took Mom to the Black Sand Beach.
She also got to stand next to Rainbow Falls.
After a week on the Big Island, we spent a week on Maui. It was awesome to end one of our days with a beautiful sunset.
We also had dinner at Fleetwoods – yep the restaurant owned by Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac. Unfortunately, we missed him that night but we got a picture with him.
We also took Mom up to part of Manua Kea – the largest mountain in the world when you measure from the ocean floor to the top. It is also the only place where you can ski in Hawaii. Of course, we didn’t take the full tour and go all the way up to see all the telescopes but we made it to 9200 ft above sea level. We had to chuckle at the warning sign that you are greeted with before you start driving the road.
Views of the clouds are are very calming. At 9200 ft above sea level, you are higher then most clouds.
We then went to Honolulu to check out the areas where both Mike and his dad were stationed. First it was Fort DeRussy were Dad was stationed which is just off of Waikiki Beach. 
Mike had to swing by the training area where he loved to work out at. 
Plus Mike had to visit a favorite bar he frequented when he was stationed in Oahu.
On our last day in Honolulu – after we had checked out of the hotel – we drove one more time around Oahu since our flight was not until 9 p.m. One place we stopped was to see the Banyan Trees. Mom didn’t get to see them so close up while we were in Maui so we found some others. It is amazing to see how the branches become the roots of the trees.
Plus a great picture of Mike and Mom.
We drove one more time to the Turtle Beach and was lucky to see three turtles. It was so awesome to see these and they are protected. As soon as one beaches, there is someone there with the red rope to keep everyone 100 feet away from the turtles since they are protected.
Our last drinks in Hawaii.
All in all we got to visit Hawaii. We just wish the weather was sunnier but we will be back in two years for all the glory.
