Further thoughts on Hawaii

After Kona we spent a week in the Puna area on the Hilo side of the Big Island, staying at a place I found on airbnb. It was great, right across the road from the ocean, waves crashing on the rocks. We had a one bedroom apartment on the ground level of Jorgina's two bedroom house. Her two cats sometimes came by to say hi. We explored Hilo, and points north and south. The Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden was wonderful, as was Akaka Falls.

Mom at Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden

Akaka Falls

 One place I really wanted to visit was Volcano National Park. I visited the Big Island sometime around 1981 or 1982 and Madame Pele (as volcanic activity is referred to here) was not active then. Things started happening in 1982 and in the past 30 years lava has covered roads and whole neighborhoods. We drove around the park but the best experience was taking a helicopter tour. While we didn't see lava spewing out like some pictures show, it was amazing to see lava creating steam as it entered the ocean, and trees catching on fire where the lava was slowing oozing out.

Some further thoughts on Hawaii:
- I remember plate lunches well - two scoops of white rice, macaroni or potato salad, and a meat entree. Plate lunch is still around, but now brown rice is an alternative to white. And it's sticky brown rice, so good. Spam still seems popular, we saw spam omlette on the menu at Ken's Pancake House in Hilo (we had mahi mahi instead.)
- I've read about the renaissance in Hawaiian culture since the late 70's and really noticed that. Announcements at the airports were in English and Hawaiian. I talked to a teacher who teaches Hawaiian and is fluent. We listened to Hawaiian music every day, true, on CD's in our rental car on the Big Island - but we also heard lots of live Hawaiian music. Probably my favorite thing about Waikiki is walking down the beach in the evening hearing live music, much in Hawaiian, from the resort beach bars and restaurants. I also enjoyed the Big Island Hawaiian Music Festival.

Ben Kahili and Friends at the Big Island Hawaiian Music Festival

 One special travel moment was going to Kaleo's, a restaurant in Pahoa, near to where we were staying. It was a charming place and Mom I split a delicious meal. Shortly after we were seated, live music started, a young man playing guitar and singing Hawaiian music. We were sitting right by him and one of his first songs was my favorite from the CD we'd been listening to in the car. A magical moment.
- We saw a LOT of people with tattoos, many with polynesian patterns covering quite a bit of skin.
- The spirit of aloha seems alive and well. Yet we also saw a couple of fist fight/scuffles on the street.
- Hawaii is an incredible mix of ethnicities and cultures. What an interesting and wonderful place, I hope I return soon.