Lighthouse

The next afternoon, the Andersons and Linda walked to one of the many golf courses near us to attend an Art and Music Festival. They were disappointed in what they found - maybe 6 vendors and one guy playing his guitar and singing. They enjoyed the walk. That evening, we split the team up and the Andersons went to a Hula and Fire Dance demo while Linda and I rested and used the area around the pool. It was very relaxing and we enjoyed the time together just resting and enjoying the sun we had.

View from the parking lot outside the refuge.

On Thursday, we went to the Kilauea Point Lighthouse National Wildlife Refuge and explored that area. This refuse hosts one of the largest populations of nesting seabirds in the state. It is the northernmost point of the main Hawaiian Islands. The Lighthouse sits on a spit of lava rock protected to the north by a small island. The light serves to warn ships of the rock island and the mainland. The views are spectacular.

That afternoon was spent at Anini Beach where Mike snorkeled and the ladies lay in the sun and went beachcombing. I sat in the shade enjoying the breeze, watching the windsurfers.

Kilauea Point Lighthouse.

The breakwater island north of the lighthouse.

Looking west to the Anini Beach area from the lighthouse.

Snorkeling and sunning at Anini Beach.

Guarding the shade.

Horns and Turtles

After we explored the road up Waimea Canyon and back, we then drove to Poipu and found the Spouting Horn. We watched the seas push through the rocks sending a spray of water up into the air. It also made a sound that sounded like a whale blowing out through its blowhole. We were able to see several sea turtles feeding along the rocks. It was a great stop. As the sun lowered on the horizon, we drove to Poipu Beach where turtles were known to make their way out of the water each night to sleep on the beach. Everyone found a spot and waited for the creatures to arrive. The area was packed as everyone waited to see if any would show up that evening. There were several volunteers as well as rangers/biologists in the area. They made sure that no one was allowed to approach or harass any turtles that might appear. These volunteers stay til most everyone is off the beach. They do this every single night. They take their conservation very seriously. Just as the sun disappeared, two huge turtles made their way up onto the sandy beach. The first and largest had to be at least 4 feet in length and close to that in diameter. The second was only slightly smaller. It was a very interesting process. The turtles are so large that it takes them an enormous amount of effort to make their way to their resting place. With the sun down, Mike drove us home and we played cards til bedtime.

The Spouting Horn sends us a little rainbow.

Jo Jo's Shave Ice.

Crowds gather at Poipu Beach to watch the turtles.

Waimea Canyon

Red dirt waterfalls.

Tuesday was filled with another drive south. We drove the Waimea Canyon to the end of the road. There were so many places to take pictures it took a bit of work to keep moving forward. We stopped a lot! Linda, Julia, Mike, and Rayelle took a hike to try to get to Waimea Falls. It was the same hike Linda and I did the first time we visited the island. I waited in the shade at the car. My back would not let me do a hard four-mile hike. The four hikers walked into the dense forest and reappeared two hours later. They never made it to the trail end. It was a hard hike over roots and very slick ground. They decided to turn back after chatting with several hikers who told them that the hike ended at the falls but you could not see the falls due to it dropping over the top edge into the valley. I remembered that fact after they had returned.

Looking across Waimea Canyon.

We ate lunch in the shade before loading back into the car. We continued up the canyon and stopped at some viewpoints. On the way back down the mountain canyon road, we pulled over and took some pictures. At Waimea, we stopped at the famous Jo Jo's Shave Ice shop and got a small shave ice for each of us. They consisted of a big scoop of macadamia nut ice cream with a huge mound of shave ice on top. They were just the right ticket after our canyon adventure. I had a coffee-flavored ice. It was so good. We all savored every bite.

Early Wednesday afternoon, Linda, Rayelle, Mike, Julia and I walked to one of the many golf courses. There was to be an Art and Music Festival that happened each Wednesday. It wasn't much of a festival with just a half dozen vendors and one guy playing his guitar and singing. They were disappointed but enjoyed the walk. Later that afternoon, we split the team up and the Andersons went to a Hula and Fire Dance demo while Linda and I rested and used the area around the pool. It was very relaxing and we enjoyed the time just resting and enjoying the sun.

Waimea Falls from the canyon road.