HI: lava flow

before we left (7/29/16), R sent me this news article:  

Lava from Hawaii's Kilauea Volcano reaches Pacific Ocean

(CNN)The Big Island of Hawaii is getting a little bigger as lava from the Kilauea Volcano flows into the Pacific Ocean.

The 6.5 mile-long lava flow has been dribbling down the south flank of Kilauea since May, according to the U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. It reached the ocean on Tuesday morning.

The USGS said the flow is about 20 meters (66 feet) wide where it spills over the cliff into the sea.

The red-hot lava creates huge plumes of steam as it hits the water and begins cooling into rock, delighting locals and eager tourists.

Kilauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes, is part of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Kilauea has been active since 1983, but this is the first time in three years that lava has reached the ocean.  

By the time we went to see the ocean entry (where the lava meets the sea), there were 40 yards of new land.  We heeded caution, and didn't venture past the safety ropes.  the new land created is unstable, and can easily be eroded away by surf and slide into the sea.  

Seeing the lava up-close-and-personal leaves an impression that few people ever forget.  this was our coolest expedition.  and free!

I was very nervous due to all the safety warnings online, but really it was totally fine, phew.  a long hike in on a gravel road 4+ miles each way, but we had cloud cover and it wasn't too hot at all.   we had no problems.  bought some cheap flashlights and gave them to a family heading that way after we had used them.  we arrived around 4pm and watched for 45 min or so, then hiked out at dusk.  lots of people there, many on bicycles.

drive to the end of the road, then park and hike.

some small houses and other dwellings formed a sparse community on the lava.

as we got closer, we could see the steam rising

 

some folks were in boats viewing the flow from close up.  would have made my stomach turn as the water was choppy.

the flow field

does the national park service let people get close to lava flow? yes, they do.

HI: Botanical Garden, Kapaho Tide Pools

by the way, R was quite happy about the rainy weather.  he was very afraid about his pale Irish skin having too much sun exposure.  so it worked out :)

there are two botanical gardens very near Hilo.  We chose one, saving the other for next time.  We went to the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden. nestled in a 40-acre valley edged by the Pacific Ocean. 

see the lizard?

 the coolest souvenir/gift i brought back was some little plant starts from this garden.  I took pictures of some of the plants - like this is the blue ginger.  above with rob on the walkway are Ti plants. after learning about them here, i took lots of pictures of those all over the island.

 the garden developers found these old gravesites near the ocean.  so beautiful.

brunch at Ken's Pancake house before the garden.  and later, R trying fresh coconut water.  I would have loved to eat fresh coconut meat, but saving that for next time.

a gorgeous tree growing a lot of avocados behind a roadside fruit stand.

Next, we headed to Kapaho Tide pools (3:30 on the island clock).  I love how we did so many things every day but didn't feel rushed!  these are a series of interconnected thermal tide pools that sometimes extend up to 200 yards into the ocean.  incredible coral reefs, beautiful snorkeling. walk through a community to the end of the road. (no showers available for afterwards)  i was still getting used to snorkeling, so i concentrated on enjoying that and didn't try to take too many photos.

Lava Tree State Monument, a bizarre natural phenomenon created when a fast moving lava flow burned a forest of trees.

 we definitely heard the coqui frog. so loud all night long. an alien species that has thrived on BI.

HI: Rainbow Falls, shave ice

Tuesday was still rainy.  We stayed in Hilo (3:00 on the island clock) for 3 nights.  Although Hilo is one of the wettest towns in the US, the whole island was having the rainstorm.  Cousin K lives here, so her list of ideas includes lots of sites close to Hilo.  We got out in the morning, but tapered off activities towards the evening.  

 

Coconut Island was just opposite our hotel, which was along a little peninsula that had been wiped out by a tsunami.  now the few hotels built there have thin walls and open lower floors so that the next tsunami won't wipe them out.  lots of fishermen stand on the footbridge in the morning. a fun place for picnic and shallow pools for swimming.  some older kids were jumping from the old stone tower, remnants of a previous footbridge (wiped out by a tidal wave).  The huge Banyan trees were all named after famous people and planted in the 1930's.  
Liliuokalini (a girl in my ward is named this.  so it's the one Hawaiian word i feel comfortable saying)  Gardens is right next to Coconut Island (next to our hotel).  it's a peaceful beautiful Japanese influenced garden.  i even was saying Hilo wrong, but nice girl corrected me.  It's He-low. not Hi-low.

I don't know the names of these enormous trees, but they were really beautiful. 

Here you can see the roots growing over the lava rock.



We experienced Rainbow Falls and Boiling Pots from the lookouts, but didn't get in the water at either place.

Boiling Pots is a succession of big pools connected by underground flow or cascades and whose waters roll and bubble as if boiling. 

 

  We drove on a "4 mile scenic route" just north of Hilo.  It's windy and beautiful.  it's narrow and sometimes single lane, so drive carefully.  We passed, and will come back the next day to see the Botanical Gardens.  Just off the main road, we stopped at the corner store called the Low Store Deli and Fruit stand.  here we had legit Hawaiian shave ice (snow capped with condensed milk).  We didn't try the Hawaiian entrees, fresh fruit, and fresh fruit smoothies though.  have to save something for the next trip.

We walked around downtown Hilo since shopping is fun when it's pouring rain.  we saw all these fruits at the market.

 

Cousin K recommended Gina's Chicken, that is a food truck with the most incredible Huli chicken.  we paid $15 or 20 for a whole chicken and ate it for lunch.  we stored leftovers in our hotel fridge and ate it for 2 more meals also. it was yummy!  it came with a side of pasta salad and white rice.  the pasta salad in HI is pretty much just noodles and mayo. 

We found a great shop with big selection of snorkel gear. S. Tokunaga Store. they were great. and so, despite the rain, we got out to try our equipment.  We tried out one of Hilo's beautiful beaches called CarlSmith.  this first experience wasn't my favorite because of the weather, but i am glad we tried.  made me appreciate the beautiful weather and amazing snorkeling at the next places so much more.  it does take a bit of getting used to.  you want to have your mask tight, but after 1/2 hour, start to feel kind of yucky. headachy.  thats ok though. take a break and then go back out!
also, the weather caused waves here, so i felt exposed and vulnerable. there also weren't too many others out at this time. i felt safer at other places with no waves, blue sky and sunshine, and others paddling around showing me that it was safe. R is great though.  he is an early adopter in everything and jumped right in.

end of the day sighting of cruise ship coming into or leaving the port of Hilo.