Friday morning we decided to go out for breakfast. Dave really wanted to try a Hawaiian dish called Loco Moco... a dish featured in contemporary Hawaiian cuisine. There are many variations, but the traditional loco moco consists of white rice, topped with a hamburger, a fried egg, and brown gravy. Variations may include bacon, ham, Spam, tofu, kalua pork, Portuguese sausage, teriyaki beef, teriyaki chicken, mahi-mahi, shrimp, oysters, and other meats.
We ended up at Big Island Grill, a popular spot for breakfast and after a short wait, we were escorted to a table. Thanks for the pic Dave!
There were many variations of Loco Moco on the menu...I think Dave chose rice, egg, burger, bacon and spam. Spam became very popular with Hawaiian's during WWII as it was fed to GIs. Steve had spam and eggs...first time since he was a kid.
Thanks for the picture, Les...
After breakfast we decided to check out "Two Step Beach", a spot that is supposed to be fabulous for snorkelling. It is south of us and we were close to it last Sunday when we went to check out Kealakekua Bay.
We found that Two Step Beach at Honaunau Bay and Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park are right beside each other. So we checked out the Park first...
Konane: This Hawaiian strategy game is played with black and white pebbles on a stone playing surface. It can be any size and are carved into a lava surface...
Kanoa: These bowls, carved into rock, may be used for dying kapa (bark cloth), tanning fishing nets, or pounding 'awa root...Consumed for centuries by Polynesians and Hawaiians, Kava (or awa) is a soothing beverage made from the root of the kava plant. Touted for its medicinal qualities, kava is said to alleviate anxiety while promoting a heightened sense of well-being and mental clarity.
Tree Mold: When hot lava surrounds a living tree, moisture in the tree causes the lava to harden before it burns. Sometimes this leaves tree molds...
Keone'ele: This protected cove was kapu (forbidden); only ali'i (a chief or chiefess) could land canoes here...
The Great Wall: Up to 12 feet tall, 18 feet wide, and over 950 feet long, this wall defines the sacred space of the Pu'uhonua. The wall was constructed over 400 years ago using dry-set masonry (stones fitted without mortar)...
Hale o Keawe: This heiau was a royal mausoleum housing bones of 23 ali'i, including Kamehameha's great-grandfather. Hawaiians still revere this place and sometimes leave offerings on the tower. The wooden images are ki'i representing Hawaiian gods...
Ka'ahumanu Stone: Legend holds that Queen Ka'ahumanu, a favorite wife of Kamehameha, swam to the Pu'uhonua after they quarreled. She hid under this stone, but her barking dog revealed her location. Fortunately, she and her husband reconciled...
Papamu: Small depressions were carved into flat lava rock to create this surface for playing konane. The skills mastered in this game could be used in battle or other pursuits.
Old Heiau Site: Long ago, another heiau was built here. It may have been the first heiau for the refuge. Ravaged for centuries by ocean waves, only remnants remain. They are among the oldest structures in the park...
Halau: In ancient times, this structure would have been made of ohi'a wood tied with cord and thatched with pili grass. Today it serves as a canoe house...
Coffee trees as far as you can see and even though the photo doesn't convey how steep the distant hill is that's where Taylor had to walk from. She has a green thumb like her Grandmother so is in charge of the gardening...
We really haven't seen much of Taylor since she was a little girl...as a matter of fact, we saw her for the first time in years last summer while visiting Kelowna, BC. She happened to be working at a winery...much closer to her mom, Karli, who lives in Peachland, BC!
An important cultural site surrounded by a massive ancient stone wall, Pu’uhonua o Hōnaunau served as a place of refuge and forgiveness for lawbreakers, warriors, and non-combatants during times of war. Outside the wall, several generations of powerful chiefs lived on the grounds outside the pu’uhonua. Visitors to the site can see temple platforms, fishing areas, a massive stone sledding track, and some coastal village areas complete with replica temples and thatched structures.
Temple Model: This structure is a small reconstruction of Hale o Keawe, a heiau (Hawaiian Temple).
With a brochure in hand, we started our walking tour of the park.
Keōua Stone: According to local tradition, this was a favorite resting place of Keōua, a high chief...
'Ale'ale'a: This may have been a principal heiau long before Hale o Keawe...
Royal Fish Ponds. Each one of these depressions has been dug out by a fish...
And that concludes our tour of Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Park. We hit it on the right day...it was a free entrance day! A very interesting tour...but we were all glad to get back into the air-conditioned car!
We drove the narrow road past Two Step Beach but didn't stop...it was extremely busy with cars parked alongside the road.
An incredible turquoise bay along the Big Island’s western side, Honaunau Bay (or Two Step Beach / Pae’a) is among the best places in all of Hawaii to enjoy world-class snorkeling among impressive coral reefs and lava rock pathways. Two Step is also a renowned scuba diving location for beginners and experts.This is a picture from the internet...
A few days ago I had received a message from my niece that her daughter was working at Heavenly Hawaiian Kona Coffee Farm and that we should check it out. Since we were out and about in that area, Dave and Leslie kindly agreed to take a drive up there...and what a drive it was! Up a steep, narrow, windy road...to the point where I worried that Google Maps didn't have the location right! But low and behold, we found it!
Upon arrival, a car was just leaving the small congested parking area, so we nabbed the only vacant spot and went to see if we could find Taylor. The young people working there were so friendly, they led us to a spot by the store and pool, told us to help ourselves to a selection of coffees, and radioed Taylor, who was working in a distant field far below.
While waiting, we chatted with a nice young fellow who was also from Canada and found that he, along with Taylor and others, are part of the Volunteer Program on the farm....We have set up a program for anyone interested in volunteering on the farm. You will have the opportunity to learn about many aspects of farming coffee in Hawaii and live on the property too! We ask for a 3 month commitment to the program. (Must be 18 or over)
Beautiful area with a fantastic view...just too bad it wasn't a clear day!
So no wonder she was surprised and wondering who was here to see her! We had a nice visit with her and her friends! Taylor is my brother's granddaughter, making her my great-niece...yikes, I feel old! She looks wonderful and seems to really be enjoying her time on the Big Island!
A couple of pictures of coffee trees as we left the farm...the beans aren't ready yet.
This is where Taylor was working below...
Steve was going to add a Hawaii Five O soundtrack but decided to stay with the sound of the pounding surf...
Being on the second floor, Laverne's had a nice view of the ocean across the street. Unfortunately, though, there are a lot of power lines marring the view...but I was able to erase them for the picture with my phone...love that feature! That's On The Rocks across the street...
When we left Laverne's, we thought we'd check out On The Rocks again...and they were able to seat us at the bar! Perfect! We also happened to hit their Happy Hour...
We had a great time enjoying a number of their happy hour drinks! Needless to say my walk was a little "weave-y" on our way home...I only speak for myself, LOL!
Here is a map of our route taken today...
That afternoon we decided to walk into town and check out Huggo's On The Rocks, a more casual, "toes-in-the-sand" restaurant and bar next to the original Huggo's, a fine dining restaurant.
With the high surf advisory, the waves have brought out lots of surfers, so we stopped and watched along the way...
Unfortunately there was a line-up to get into On The Rocks, so we went across the street to Laverne's Sports Bar for a beer...
More surf watching on our walk home, taken from the bridge near our resort...
And another beautiful sunset tonight...the end to a great day!
The National Park would have been worth the trip all by itself! The Great Wall? Wow! I could have walked that all day just seeing how they dry stacked everything together!
ReplyDeleteIt's such a beautiful area. That wall is one humongous jigsaw puzzle!
DeleteWonderful scenery. Glad you had such a good time touring. Beer looks good too. :)
ReplyDeleteIt was!!
DeleteThe loco moco was enough breakfast to last all day and it was really good! Somehow spam and eggs needs to be breakfast more often. Good stuff right Steve?
ReplyDeleteDave
Your Loco Moco was huge Dave! I couldn't remember what spam tasted like but it was good, so I'd have no problem ordering it again. :))
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