June 10, 2007: Slightly less humidity than yesterday, but it’s still hot and sticky. Thank God the car has air conditioning!

DeeDee and I spend the early part of our Sunday driving up along the highway past the airport to see what we can see. We stop at the Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park which sits on a lava field and so is desolate, barren and hot. The Ranger manning the small station is very friendly and knowlegable. We wonder aloud what the lava stone circles were out on the lava fiels and learn they are planters for Hawaiian sweet potatoes and some rogue tomatoes. We also learn that the reason part of the parking lot is closed off is not due to road work, but because a pair of endangered birds were nesting in the island in the middle of the parking lot. We saw them through the Ranger’s binoculars: one bird guarding the nest, the second one checking out their territory. I bought a couple interesting-looking books, snapped a few pictures, then we went on our way.

A few miles down the highway, we stop at what was posted as a “scenic overview”. Yes, there is a nice panoramic shot of the shoreline, but I would hardly call it “scenic”. One note of interest was an old rusty set of car keys sitting on the top of the wall. I wonder how long they have been here, and how the car’s owner got back to town without them.

Further down the road (or is it up the road?) we pull into a fancy-pants resort that boasts public beach access. We walk along a nice boardwalk surrounded by lush foliage and a small lagoon until we reach the beach. It’s a small cove, but nice, and we take the opportunity to get our feet (and most of our legs) wet.

We were able to get fairly close (but not too close!) to a sunbathing sea turtle as well.

The highlight of the day, however, is the evening’s luau! It was held at the King Kamehameha Hotel and presented by Island Breeze Luau. What a fantastic evening! Everything is wonderful: the drinks, the food, the activities, and especially the entertainment! I drink couple mai tais (not bad, but probably not my favourite drink ever), get a sea turtle “tattoo” (DeeDee got a flower drawn by a totally hunky guy. Figures!), enjoy an amazingly ono (Hawaiian for “delicious”) meal, and take some awesome photos of the dancers!

After the luau, DeeDee and I retire for the night. Tomorrow we rise  early and head off for ocean kayaking and snorkeling! I’m particularly excited about this adventure, as I’ve always wanted to go kayaking and snorkeling! I cannot wait!