The Hawaiian Birthday Getaway

To the Big Island

Prologue / Big Island (March 2)

58 isn't a particularly eventful birthday, but I figured I'd do something eventful anyway.  I'd been to Oahu once and vowed to return to our 50th state.  The time was perfect, away I went.  I decided two islands in six days would be about right.  The Islands of Hawaii ("The Big Island") and Maui.  Tourist that I am, I outlined all the things I was going to see and do, even making some reservations beyond just hotel and air fare.  What follows chronicles the result.

Left: Like so many of my trips, this one started with an early rentez-vouz with my friends at Bay Porter.  It was a rainy March 2, 2009.  Somehow I just didn't feel like driving to Hawaii. Below: Honolulu Airport.  Deja-Vu all over again.  I was here on Oahu on my way home from Australia in 2001.  Just a quick stop on my way to the Big Island.

Below left - The intimidation hustle and bustle of Kona Airport on the Big Island.  I guess they call it "The Big Island so it isn't confused with the name of the state.

Below - My travelling companion for the next couple of days, a Dodge Caliber.  Always happy to have a car from my old friends at Chrysler.  Are any of them still there?

Left: My hotel was well over an hour south, and inbetween was my first destination, Kaloko Honokohau National Historical Park.  What a memorable name!  Study hard, there will be a quiz. Here we see the Visitor Center.  I didn't see any reason to stop there, I wanted to get on the trail and walk.

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