The first morning we had a manapua picnic breakfast on Magic Island and enjoyed a relaxing start to their vacation.
The following day was a quick flight over to the Big Island. Early morning breakfast and walk around old Kailua Town, then off towards Volcanoes National Park. We stopped at Greenwell Coffee Farm, and the southern most point in the USA.
Next was the volcano! Some of us were more impressed than others! I wasn't sure what would be open and available to see in the park, since the eruptions and earthquakes last year, but we were able to overlook the sunken caldera, stop in the visitor center, and drive south on Chain of Craters Road to the petroglyphs. Steam vents were everywhere. Even outside the park!
Instead of a hotel, we opted for an Airbnb for the night -- an off the grid container home, set up on a lava field. It was a once in a lifetime experience for sure!
The last day on the Big Island. We saw MacKenzie State Recreation Area and drove across many lava flows. Again, I wasn't sure what would be open, but we managed to get to Pohoiki black sand beach. This is one of the newest beaches in the world! The boat launch was completely closed in from lava last year, and left all new deposits of black sand and lava rock. It was unbelievable to stand in the surf and take it all in. We stopped at Rainbow Falls before getting to Hilo, where we had lunch at Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill (which used to be a bank and currently has amazing cocktails) and did some antique shopping and architectural appreciation. A few more sightseeing moments on the mellow drive back to Kona. And then the flight back to Oahu.
Sightseeing continued closer to home. We spent a day at the north shore. Coffee, treats, and getting up close and personal with coffee plants and chickens at Green World Coffee. Shell hunting and avoiding waves on Sunset Beach, and then cooling off with some shave ice. Learning all about pineapples (and cocoa plants!) at Dole Plantation.
Mom started getting sick soon after this, so we slowed way down to let her rest. The weather also got rough; a lot of rain moved in, with a couple big thunderstorms thrown in for good measure.
Joe and I took Dad to Kaka'ako for lunch. Village Tap House for drinks, Hank's Haute Dogs for unexpected hot dogs. It was pretty rainy, so we had to cut short the PowWow mural walk, but we did manage to see the Charlie Brown wall. (I photographed and framed the picture of this for a father's day gift.)
{Also, speaking of father's day gifts,
I made this shirt -- check out my Society6 shop -- for the best dog dad and dad dad in the world!}
It was an eventful week!
I wish they could have stayed all summer. And I wish I had taken a million more photos!