On Monday, September 10th, wunderground.com issued the following warning:
“a Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Big Island interior, Big Island north and east, Big Island summits, Haleakala Summit, Kahoolawe, kohala, Kona, Lanai makai, Lanai Mauka, leeward Haleakala, Maui Central Valley, Maui leeward west, Maui windward west, Molokai leeward, Molokai windward, south Big Island, and windward Haleakala… Olivia … is forecast to close in on the main Hawaiian islands Tuesday and move over portions of the island chain Tuesday night and Wednesday. Maui and The Big Island will be the first to experience impacts from Olivia. Do not focus on the exact forecast track or intensity of Olivia and be prepared for changes in future forecasts. Also, keep in mind that just because Olivia is forecast to be a weaker storm than Lane, the impacts could be significantly worse. Damaging tropical storm force winds may begin as early as Tuesday afternoon across Maui and The Big Island. Additionally, hurricane force wind gusts are possible as Olivia moves across the state Tuesday night and Wednesday.”
We wondered if Tropical Storm Olivia would affect our plans for air travel back home the next evening. We hoped not but, honestly, if our travel plans were to become disrupted where better to be stranded than in Hawaii!
We took John and Dorothy’s Mustang Convertible for a ride in the morning. Bob and I sat in the front seats (Bob driving), and Dorothy sat in the rear seat.
Bob driving the Mustang Convertible
Our first stop was at a cave along Highway 19, a short distance from the Kona Airport.
The cave was part of a large lava tube from the Hualalai lava flow of 1801.
The cave is collapsing in several spots and looked rickety and unstable.
If you look closely, there are a couple people inside the cave.
Our second stop was at the beach at Kekaha Kai State Park. The state park is located about 12 miles north of Kona. We drove to Kekaha Kai State Park on September 1st. There was no parking near the beach. We parked up the road a bit that day and took a picture of the beach from our lofty position. This morning we found nearby parking and walked down to the beach.
We passed by Pu’u Ku’ili, a 342-foot high old cinder cone, on the way to the beach.
Kekaha Kai State Park
Dorothy went for a quick swim, while Bob got his feet wet from the incoming surf.
What a pretty beach!
This man had an underwater camera and was photographing the waves.
I got my feet wet, too, from the incoming surf.
I had to hold onto Bob to keep my balance,
as vertigo affects me when the surf goes back out.
Our third and final stop was at Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park, located along Highway 19 in Kona. We had visited this park the previous day, but only the beach area.
Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park Visitor Center
After stamping our National Park Service Passport at the Visitor Center, we hopped back in the car and drove to another park access road to go see Kaloko Kuapa –the largest fishpond wall in Hawaii.
The speed limit on the access road was 5 mph. I don’t believe we exceeded the speed limit!
The last 1/4 mile stretch of road was very rough. Bob did well, driving very slowly, avoiding the high and low parts of the road.
The Kaloko Kuapa is the wall on the right side of this picture.
I walked on the Kaloko Kuapa.
Walking toward the Kaloko Kuapa
The Kaloko Kuapa is over 800 feet in length and 40 feet wide.
Kaloko Fishpond is on the right side of the wall.
This is the view on the left side of the wall.
The stones of the Kaloko Kuapa are dry stacked without the use of mortar. The stones are not even, and they rock a bit when walking on them. I stayed in the middle of the wall, when I walked across it.
As we were making our way back to the main highway, we chanced upon two Gray Francolins.
Gray Francolins
I captured a short video of Bob driving the Mustang, once we were on the highway again.
I had never been in a convertible with Bob before. I enjoyed the drive!
Back at the house we were visited by turkeys again.
One of several turkeys that visited in the afternoon.
Late in the afternoon the four of us went to downtown Kona for liquid refreshments at Humpy’s and dinner, afterward, at Foster’s Kitchen.
Island Park in Youngsville, PA
