Final Days of 2014

We've spent the last couple of days of 2014 exploring the Big Island's westside, both north and south. Click here for some photos.

Pat and Drew met up with a pair of manta rays yesterday while diving at Mahukona, the site of an abandoned sugar mill. The rest of us snorkeled, so weren't deep or far enough out to see the mantas, however we did see several whales spouting and breaching in the distance. We ended the day at Mauna Kea, a lovely white sand beach. 

Today, we hiked down (2 miles and 1,500 feet down) to Captain Cook Monument to snorkel, then headed to Hapuna Beach, the boys' favorite boogie boarding spot, before catching the last sunset of 2014 at the beach at Hawaii's Natural Energy Lab. 

Underwater video, along with photos from our Captain Cook hike and the fireworks we hope to see in a few hours in the Kailua-Kona Harbor coming soon. Happy New Year!

Beach Bums

It seemed like everyone was lounging on the beach this past weekend - sea turtles, monk seals, and teenagers who got up really early to dive/snorkel/swim. Click here for photos. 

Drew and Pat made their first dive together at Puako; the art of cracking coconuts is on the verge of being perfected; weird wildlife sightings continue; and we finally saw a green-flash sunset.

Cheers!

Volcanoes National Park

We spent Boxing Day at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Along the way, we also explored the south end of the Big Island, including Na'alehu, the southernmost point in the United States.

Click here for photos. We knew it was going to be an interesting day when we passed by a zebra (not to mention a donkey, buffalo and a couple of watusi) in a guy's front yard as we headed south.

Merry Christmas

Mele Kalikimaka! We hope all our friends and family had a lovely Christmas holiday. Here are a few photos from our tropical Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Underwater video coming soon. 

Coffee, Laulau, and Captain Cook

It was down-right Oregon-like in Hawaii today... cool and overcast, and a great day for learning where Kona coffee comes from at Greenwell Farm in Captain Cook, while Drew finished up his scuba certification course. He's officially a licensed diver now. 

Click here for a few photos from our coffee farm tour and visit to Place of Refuge National Historic Park, more formally known as Pu`uhonua O Hōnaunau. 

After a week of waiting, Emily finally got to enjoy the Hawaiian plate lunch she's been looking forward to... at Ka'aLoa Super J.  The pork laulau was delicious. We've included a YouTube link that will tell you all about it. 

Mele Kalikimaka!

Above & Below

While Drew explored the Big Island from below sea level today as part of his scuba diving certification course, the rest of us took the Saddle Road across the island to check out the greener side of Hawaii. On the way back to Kona, we drove up to the summit of Mauna Kea. At an elevation of 14,000 feet, it was quite a climate change. Click here for photos from our time in Hilo and Mauna Key, and here for a video of Drew's first dives. 

Saltwater-Sand-Sun

In addition to a few new photos, below are links to a couple of videos Jake created from Go-Pro footage taken both above and below the water on our first few days in Hawaii. 

• Photos
• Two-Step Video
• Hapuna Video

Aloha Hawaii

Click here for photos from our first couple of days on the Big Island. With Kailua-Kona on the central west coast of the island as our base, our time so far has been spent at points just north and south of Kona:

• Kekahakai State Park for snorkeling, turtles and black sand
• Hapuna Beach for boogie boarding, white sand and an especially beautiful sunset
• End of the World, a view point south of Kona where cliff jumping was contemplated and wild goats were sighted
• Honaunau Bay, also known as Two-Step, for more snorkeling

The Big Island apparently is big enough to hold all the other Hawaiian Islands twice, so we have lots to explore, in any direction - makai (toward the sea) or mauka (toward the mountain). 

Gluewein Party

Click here for photos from the Gluewein Party our friends Peter, Teresa, Ben and Nicky host each December.  So glad it took place before our winter break trip, so we could join the fun. 

Sailing Holiday Party

Kicking off the weekend with Drew's high school sailing team holiday party. Click here for photos.

Holiday Wishes

In addition to clicking on the card above, click here for a few photos from Portland's annual Christmas parade and our trip to the tree farm. This is the first time in years we got a tree that actually fit through the bailer!