Hawaii 2014
Day 11 - September 2
The short road to Two Step Beach.
Two Step Beach - a very popular snorkeling beach.
This beach is called Two Step because it is difficult to get in and out of the water - the lava is very steep at the shore. There is one spot - at the right of the picture - where there are two flat steps. It’s where every snorkeler enters and exits the water.
Ric snorkeling at Two Step Beach.
Kathy snorkeling at Two Step Beach. Lots of fish, but the snorkeling at the Mauna Lani Beach Club was its equal.
A turtle sticks his head above the water at Two Step Beach.
Pu'uhonau o Honauna National Historical Park. Just adjacent to Two Step Beach. This was a traditional Hawaiian board game.
Turtle napping at Pu'uhonau o Honaunau National Historical Park.
Kathy at Pu'uhonau o Honaunau National Historical Park.
Ki'i watch over and protect those who have found refuge at Pu'uhonau o Honaunau.
Teshima’s Japanese restaraunt in Honalo.
Teshima’s - their specialty is tempura. Delicious!!
On the ride home from the south coast. Ominous!
Day 11 - just past sunset.
Day 11 - September 2
We had intended a quiet day around the resort. But Kathy’s sister Karen recommended a good snorkeling beach south of Kona called Two Step. We decided to check it out.
There is a small community of houses at Two Step, and a small parking area. We parked at Pu'uhonau o Honaunau National Historical Park, and made the short walk to the adjacent beach.
Ric snorkeled first - but he chose the wrong entrance, and it was very difficult to get in the water - a very steep and sharp lava drop-off. Fortunately he found the right exit - a two-step flat area. It’s where all snorkelers get in and out of the water. We spent a few hours here reading and snorkeling.
We also visited the national park. In the 17th century and before, the Hawaiians had a legalistic set of laws called “kapu.” If you broke one of the laws, death was the sentence. However, if you could escape to the Pu'uhonau o Honaunau, a place of refuge, you could ask the gods for favor. Here, all were safe.
On our way back to the condo, we stopped at Teshima’s, a well-known Japanese restuarant. They specialize in tempura - and was it outstanding! Highly recommended.
Day 12 - September 3
The sign says Fisherman’s Trail. The trail follows the shoreline across all of Mauna Lani Resort, and what I will call the Mauna Lani Point Bay. The portion of the trail you see, over lava, is in front of our condo complex (in the background).
Ric on Fisherman’s Trail.
Kathy coming up Fisherman’s Trail. Watch your step! Some of it is slippery, and all of it is sharp lava rock.
A view of 49 Black Sand Beach (where we snorkeled) from Mauna Lani Point Bay.
The 15th hole at Mauna Lani Resort Golf Course. A 196-yard 3-par from the tips. All carry.
Mauna Lani Point Bay.
Mauna Lani Point Bay.
Mauna Lani Resort Beach Club.
Palm tree trimmer.
Day 12 - Sunset.
Day 12 - our final sunset.
Day 12 - September 3
Our last day!
We stayed close today. Took a hike on Fisherman’s Trail. The trail runs the length of Mauna Lani Resort. We hiked a short portion in front of the condo, which travels over lava. Some of it was pretty slippery. You don’t want to trip - that lava is sharp!
After lunch, we went to the Mauna Lani Beach Club for a final snorkel. But the water was very murky; the fish must have been on the other side of the murk! We think the bay became cloudy because of the storm that hit the night before. Good thing we didn’t see it this way on our first visit there - we’d have been looking for other snorkeling sites! As it was, we think the Beach Club had the best snorkeling of all.
Afterward, we cleaned up the condo a bit, packed, had a salad for dinner and watched our final sunset. Then it was off to the airport for a redeye home.
Altogether one the most memorable vacations we have experienced. It sure was nice to take that much time off.
Finally - a huge thank you to Mark and Carol for their generous use of their beautiful vacation home. Aloha and Mahalo, friends!!!