Day 3 - Kaholo - the northern tip of the island

 Aloha!

Sunday morning. Some clouds, but warm as always when we left for the North Kona District, which is plastered with big resort hotels, villages of their own, which many tourists probably only leave for a half-day excursion. Located across the street from the Marriott Waikoloa Beach Resort, are the Kings’ Shops - an outdoor mall - and, they had "Lei Day Festival" (usually on May Day) going on today. A stage (left photo) was built up for music and hula dance (photos below), there were lei-making demonstrations, vendors, artists, etc. 

 We stayed for one musical presentation, checked out nearby Queens' Shops then, looked at the ancient Alanui Aupuni Trail (below), which originally connected the island's settlements, and, left north afterwards.

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 "Wild Animals Crossing" is a common traffic sign on the island - it refers mostly to goat, sometimes to donkeys (but didn't see any of the latter, but many, many wild goats!). We took Waikoloa Rd., a curvy mountain road, which leads up to Hwy. 190 into Waimea, and, from there on Hwy. 250 further north. Many curves and narrow, it brought us up to elevations of 1,000 m, and, to the northern-most tip of the island. Landscape is lush and green, it's ranchland, pastures, very idyllic and great views!

We stopped in Kapa'au first to greet King Kamehamea, famous emperor who was born in the area in the first half of the 18th century. The flag on the right is the Hawaiian State flag.

 

 

 

 

On to Pololu Valley Outlook, with Mauii and its volcano within one's reach - see photo above, volcano is in the background! In reality it's should be about 50-60 mi. as the crow flies, but, unfortunately, no ferry connections!. Pololu is located on the western tip of the island. A trail goes down to a river which flows into the ocean, but also from the outlook views are gorgeous (photos below)! 

 

On the way back we found a nice resting area with a food vendor and tables and chairs to sit. On a little  stage a musician was playing "hula sounds". We got us  shave ice, a popular Hawaii dessert made from shaving blocks of ice and a topping of fruit (here: pineapple) sirup. 

 

 

Upolu Point, our next stop, is the northwesterly projection and there is also an airport, mainly used by parachutists and sky divers. Driving to the airport took us through a wind farm and cattle pastures. Since no activities were going on this time, we drove on to  Lapakai State Historical Park - which was new and an interesting surprise for us!

This old Hawaiian settlement from about 700 years ago, at Koai'e Cove, shows impressive remains of buildings, family homes, community buildings, boat houses, a fishing pier, etc. The community once lived of fishing, farming and salt making. The settlement is huge and is at the same timea  Marine Conservation District. The trail was pitturesque, lined by coconut palms and lava stones, and, it is also considered a paradise for snorkelers.

 

South we drove to Kua Bay, just north of the Kona Airport. We had considered to take a swim, but, being a popular beach for tourists, it was crowded on a Sunday afternoon and we skipped the thought. Just looked at the bay with its turquoise water and moderate waves.  

Called it a day at Ola Brewing - the second brewery in town - and had a well-earned beer in good company of a little critter, a gecko. It's been really humid-hot all day, 85 deg. F. at least, hotter than before and a shower was highly recommended. When we drove up to our cottage it started to rain and rained most of the evening. Crazy weather here: even when it rains, it doesn't cool down, same for nights. Flower photos taken in the rain, in front of our cottage (ginger) below.