Hawaii Trip 2014 - Big Island Day 9

September 6, 2014 (Saturday)

Pu’uhonua O Honaunau NHP

The last day of our trip was spent at Pu’uhonua O Honaunau NHP. Back in the day if you had broken a law the penalty was death. This site served as a place or refuge, or as it is known in Hawaii a puuhonua.  If law breakers could get to a Pu’uhonua and receive absolution for the kahuna pule (priest) they were given a second chance at life. Pu’uhonua O Honaunau serves as royal grounds and a sactuary. Ki’I (carved wooden images) surround the Hale o Keawe, which house the bones of chiefs that infuse the area with their power or mana. The site is still considered a sacred site and many restrictions are in place.

There was a park ranger talk that we listened to that was interesting. More interesting were some of the films that were shown. 

After leaving the park, we headed out for lunch. We opted to try the Mahina Café in Captain Hook. It was a small place but the food was good. I had the kalua pork and cabbage and Mike had Wahoo fish.

Back in Kona, we wondered around a little and got some Scandinavian Shave Ice. There were so many flavors to pick from. I think I picked Pineapple, Kiwi and Pina Colada. The small size is quite large. They have some recommended flavor combinations listed on the wall if you have trouble deciding.

Sunset

We revisited the Kona Brewing Company – this time to take the brewery tour. The tour was $5/person and you get 4 samples and a glass to take home. The tour lasted about an hour. Since we were there we also had dinner. We had the KBC’illa Po’okela (kalua Park quesadilla) and Naalehu Nachos. Both were excellent – better than the pizza we had at our previous visit.

The sun was about to set so we went in search of a place to see the sunset one last time during our vacation. We decided to try Kaloko-Honokahau NHS – the marina location. Jackpot - great sunset and two green sea turtles resting on the beach! There were also a ton more turtle lurking in the water (I think waiting for us to vacate the beach so they could come ashore). It was a super great way to end the trip.

Sea Turtle at Kaloko-Honokahau NHS Marina

Gas prices on both islands that we visited were about $4.25-$4.50/gallon, which were not all that much higher than they were in Michigan before we left. We were speaking to someone about the gas prices and they said that they had been to Hawaii about 15 years prior and prices were $4/gallon (compared to $1/gallon here in Michigan). Thank goodness prices did not increase as much in Hawaii as they did in the mainland.

Our flight out of Hawaii was not until 10:45pm. We got to the airport kind of early since there really was not a lot to do once the sunset. The airport was not busy but we had to wait quite a while for the airline workers to allow us to check-in.  We had hoped to get luck like we had on the way to Hawaii, but that did not happen – the plane was pretty much full. About an hour or two into the flight a young lady started screaming and acting out. She got restrained and we were able to continue to Phoenix (we really hoped we would not have to turn around and go back to Kona). 

September 7, 2014 (Sunday)

After the smooth flight from Phoenix to Detroit we made it home late afternoon – exhausted. Until next time happy travels.