(Written by Alex)
A super special thanks to our friends Brooke and Ben for taking a Sunday day off on the Big Island of Hawaii and showing us around! It was really a great day and would never have been as good on our own! 🤙 We managed to get off the ship early and were able to walk a little bit near the port. As we walked we saw locals lined up fishing, swimmers training for the upcoming Ironman Triathlon, one of two Hulihe’e Palaces in Hawaii and the oldest Christian church in Hawaii.
Brooke and Ben were able to pick us up around 8:45 before the traffic got crazy by the port.
Pu’uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park
Our first stop was this sacred site of the early Polynesians that was where many chiefs were buried. Those guilty of crime would try to reach this sacred ground while being persued as it provided refuge from the death penalty. It’s a way of life we don’t quite grasp and it was very interesting to see these sacred areas and imagine life back in those much simpler but difficult days.
Manini Beach
Next we took a short ride to a local beach. Most of the beach areas on the big island look different than other Hawaiian Islands because there is so much lava from relatively recent times. But the kids play in the tide pools and people were snorkeling in the small channel area. On the other side of this bay is where Captain Cook first landed in Hawaii, and where he ultimately died in Hawaii.
Greenwell Coffee Farms
Our next stop was the oldest coffee farm in all of Kona. I am not a coffee drinker, but it was really interesting to see how coffee is harvested and processed. Our guide Chei was great.
After the coffee farm we stopped for lunch at a local burger place (Annie’s Burgers) and then took a ride out north of town by the airport to see huge barren lava fields. It’s like the moon out there!
Ola Brewery & Kona Brewery
We next stopped at two of the local breweries. Ola is a bit newer, Kona is very big and famous now. Lots of yummy beers and then we were heading back to the ship. Aloha Brooke and Ben, thanks for your hospitality!
Upon return to the ship we went to lounge and said bye to a few friends (Charlene & Ted; Jack & Eileen) leaving tomorrow in Honolulu. Then dinner and some rest so we can get ready to switch cabins and explore Oahu!
PS: Brooke texted me this photo of Ovation pulling out of port from up by their home on the hill! Sweet!
