HAWAII -- 2024
TRIP OVERVIEW
We signed up for a geocaching tour on the Big Island (Hawaii) lead by Gary Lewis, President of GEOetc. He is an expert in volcanoes and leads tours in several countries. We extended our stay to include time on the islands of Oahu and Kauai.
On Oahu, we met teammates from the 2008 David Thompson Brigade and were able canoe in outrigger canoes. We visited the USS Arizona Memorial and found the oldest geocache in Hawaii. Hawaii was the only state where we had not found a geocache.
Kauai offered us the opportunity to see spinner dolphins and humpback whales on a boat tour along the Napali Coast. We kayaked the Hanalei River into the Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge and visited the Kauai National Wildlife Refuge where we saw many types of birds including an albatross.
The Big Island (Hawaii). Volcanoes, geology, geocaching, history, wildlife and so much more. Traveled to all parts of the island seeing landscapes that changed from rainforests to desert.
See our trip before and after Hawaii at To Arizona and Return Home or exit to Website Home Page
Hawaii
November 6 to 23
Should you be wondering, the islands' colors are: Oahu - yellow, Kauai - purple, Big Island (Hawaii) - red.
November 6 - 10
Castle Waikiki Grand Hotel, Honolulu, Hawaii
Castle Waikiki Grand Hotel, Honolulu, Hawaii
November 6
Flew from Phoenix to Honolulu arriving midday. Afternoon was spent getting settled in and finding a few geocaches.
Flew from Phoenix to Honolulu arriving midday. Afternoon was spent getting settled in and finding a few geocaches.
November 7
We were up early and joined Bernie Kilonsky, a teammate on the 2011 David Thompson Brigade, to paddle outrigger canoes with his canoe club. Put-in time was 6:45am. Canoed about three miles in the Pacific Ocean bays of Honolulu. It was windy but did paddle a short stretch on the Pacific.
Spend the rest of the day geocaching including finding a Blowhole Virtual cache.
We were up early and joined Bernie Kilonsky, a teammate on the 2011 David Thompson Brigade, to paddle outrigger canoes with his canoe club. Put-in time was 6:45am. Canoed about three miles in the Pacific Ocean bays of Honolulu. It was windy but did paddle a short stretch on the Pacific.
Spend the rest of the day geocaching including finding a Blowhole Virtual cache.
November 8
Special Day. Visited the Pearl Harbor National Memorial and the USS Arizona Memorial. Words cannot express the feelings and emotions felt. Should be a must see for everyone.
Pictures show rainbow's end over the USS Arizona Memorial, memorial wall, oil slick from ship leaking about a quart of oil a day, USS Arizona anchor.
While working on a geocache, we needed to go where there were Naval personal giving a talk. It was raining and the area where people we sitting was covered. We took a seat to stay dry. It turned out to be a retirement ceremony for a 20 year submarine veteran. We stayed to the end. How fortunate we were to see this. It just added to the emotions.
Special Day. Visited the Pearl Harbor National Memorial and the USS Arizona Memorial. Words cannot express the feelings and emotions felt. Should be a must see for everyone.
Pictures show rainbow's end over the USS Arizona Memorial, memorial wall, oil slick from ship leaking about a quart of oil a day, USS Arizona anchor.
While working on a geocache, we needed to go where there were Naval personal giving a talk. It was raining and the area where people we sitting was covered. We took a seat to stay dry. It turned out to be a retirement ceremony for a 20 year submarine veteran. We stayed to the end. How fortunate we were to see this. It just added to the emotions.
November 9
We had breakfast with Bernie and Nancy Kilonsky (teammates on the 2011 David Thompson Brigade) at the Honolulu Elks Club. Enjoyed reminiscing and catching up with them. Another unexpected event happened...a funeral was taking place at the Elks Club. It was not an ordinary funeral, but one that outrigger canoes were used to spread the ashes in the Pacific Ocean and family and friend dropped the flowers from the leis into the water.
After saying our good byes, we went geocaching and hiked over four miles, most of it was over muddy trails with switchbacks while seeking Hawaii's oldest and Sharon's 10,000 find. We then attended an event hosted by a German geocaching couple visiting Hawaii.
We had breakfast with Bernie and Nancy Kilonsky (teammates on the 2011 David Thompson Brigade) at the Honolulu Elks Club. Enjoyed reminiscing and catching up with them. Another unexpected event happened...a funeral was taking place at the Elks Club. It was not an ordinary funeral, but one that outrigger canoes were used to spread the ashes in the Pacific Ocean and family and friend dropped the flowers from the leis into the water.
After saying our good byes, we went geocaching and hiked over four miles, most of it was over muddy trails with switchbacks while seeking Hawaii's oldest and Sharon's 10,000 find. We then attended an event hosted by a German geocaching couple visiting Hawaii.
November 10
We took a ride up the east coast of Oahu, found a few caches and took a different route back to the hotel. Packed so we were ready for our flight to Kauai.
We took a ride up the east coast of Oahu, found a few caches and took a different route back to the hotel. Packed so we were ready for our flight to Kauai.
November 11 - 15
Kauai Island, Kauai Shores Hotel, Kappa, Hawaii
Chickens are everywhere!
Kauai Island, Kauai Shores Hotel, Kappa, Hawaii
Chickens are everywhere!
November 11
Took the short flight to Kauai, the northern most island in Hawaii. Checked into great accommodations, unpacked, went grocery shopping, did laundry and got ready for tomorrow's activities.
Took the short flight to Kauai, the northern most island in Hawaii. Checked into great accommodations, unpacked, went grocery shopping, did laundry and got ready for tomorrow's activities.
November 12
Took a four-hour Makana Charters boat tour along the Napali coast. Saw spinner dolphins and humpback whales. Learned about the history of the area and got up close and personal with water falls and caves. A provided lunch stop gave those interested an opportunity to swim. Beautiful area.
Took a four-hour Makana Charters boat tour along the Napali coast. Saw spinner dolphins and humpback whales. Learned about the history of the area and got up close and personal with water falls and caves. A provided lunch stop gave those interested an opportunity to swim. Beautiful area.
November 13
Visited the Kauai National Wildlife Refuge and the historic Lighthouse at the refuge. Saw lots of birds including albatross.
Then headed east to see where the Kayak rental place was and proceeded down the narrow, twisty downhill road to the ocean in the hope of seeing green sea turtles. One interesting sight was an egret sanding at the edge of the road literally looking in both directions to see when it could safely take off!
Visited the Kauai National Wildlife Refuge and the historic Lighthouse at the refuge. Saw lots of birds including albatross.
Then headed east to see where the Kayak rental place was and proceeded down the narrow, twisty downhill road to the ocean in the hope of seeing green sea turtles. One interesting sight was an egret sanding at the edge of the road literally looking in both directions to see when it could safely take off!
November 14
Kayaked the Hanalei River. Enjoyed the round-trip paddle into the Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge.
Kayaked the Hanalei River. Enjoyed the round-trip paddle into the Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge.
November 15
Visited Waimea Canyon, the Grand Canyon of Hawaii, fantastic views.
Found a few geocaches including a very hard-to-find cache at the entrance to a grocery store. Sharon found on our third visit. We were far form the only ones requiring multiple visits to find.
Visited Waimea Canyon, the Grand Canyon of Hawaii, fantastic views.
Found a few geocaches including a very hard-to-find cache at the entrance to a grocery store. Sharon found on our third visit. We were far form the only ones requiring multiple visits to find.
November 16 - 21
Big Island (Hawaii), Hawaii
Arnott's Lodge, Hilo
Big Island (Hawaii), Hawaii
Arnott's Lodge, Hilo
November 16
Flew to Hilo and settled into Arnott's Lodge where we met other participants in the GEOetc trip "Geocache on the active Volcanoes of Hawaii" lead by Gary Lewis. The group went to Ken's for dinner and then stopped for groceries.
Flew to Hilo and settled into Arnott's Lodge where we met other participants in the GEOetc trip "Geocache on the active Volcanoes of Hawaii" lead by Gary Lewis. The group went to Ken's for dinner and then stopped for groceries.
November 17
We had a 7:30 breakfast at the lodge where Gary told us about the day's plans. We drove to Volcanoes National Park and visited the Kilauea volcano caldera where we saw venting steam. In Hawaiian tradition, the caldera is considered a sacred place and the source of spiritual power.
We returned to Hilo early because of a medical emergency. The group cached in Hilo and had dinner at the lodge. One of several interesting caches found brought us to the Haha Stone. Tradition tells it was brought to Hilo by a Chief in a canoe centuries ago. The ability to lift and move the stone was a sign of high chiefly capacity. Kamehameha I is said to have lifted and moved the stone in 1789 when he was about 30 years old. Tradition said this confirmed he would be a great warrior king.
We had a 7:30 breakfast at the lodge where Gary told us about the day's plans. We drove to Volcanoes National Park and visited the Kilauea volcano caldera where we saw venting steam. In Hawaiian tradition, the caldera is considered a sacred place and the source of spiritual power.
We returned to Hilo early because of a medical emergency. The group cached in Hilo and had dinner at the lodge. One of several interesting caches found brought us to the Haha Stone. Tradition tells it was brought to Hilo by a Chief in a canoe centuries ago. The ability to lift and move the stone was a sign of high chiefly capacity. Kamehameha I is said to have lifted and moved the stone in 1789 when he was about 30 years old. Tradition said this confirmed he would be a great warrior king.
November 18
Breakfast 7:00, left for Volcanoe National Park at 8:15. Visited the Thruston Lava Tube that is on an active volcano. Lava tubes form on top of lava flows much like ice does on a river. We hiked to another interesting site where footprints were imbedded in the lava. The prints were left by men, women and children. Stopped for a few caches on our drive back to Hilo. Stopped for some shopping and then it was free time before dinner at the lodge. Time for the group to get to know each other better after dinner.
Breakfast 7:00, left for Volcanoe National Park at 8:15. Visited the Thruston Lava Tube that is on an active volcano. Lava tubes form on top of lava flows much like ice does on a river. We hiked to another interesting site where footprints were imbedded in the lava. The prints were left by men, women and children. Stopped for a few caches on our drive back to Hilo. Stopped for some shopping and then it was free time before dinner at the lodge. Time for the group to get to know each other better after dinner.
November 19 Breakfast 7:00, Long day.
Visited Pu'ukohota Heiau Natioinal Historic Site where we toured, Sharon was shown how to play a native checkers game called Konane that used black and white pebbles for game pieces, we geocached and ate lunch. We stopped for a geocache on the drive there and disturbed a heard of wild goats.
On the way to Kona, we stopped for an old grafitii cache where you had to create grafitii on the lava with white stones or shells. Bill made a W (for Wisconsin). This is against current regulations, so after completing, we picked up the stones and placed them in a bag Gary had brought. CITO in action. It was then on to Kona where we found a Webcam, ate diner while being closely watched, and took pictures of the sunset. It was about an eighty-mile drive back to Hilo.
Visited Pu'ukohota Heiau Natioinal Historic Site where we toured, Sharon was shown how to play a native checkers game called Konane that used black and white pebbles for game pieces, we geocached and ate lunch. We stopped for a geocache on the drive there and disturbed a heard of wild goats.
On the way to Kona, we stopped for an old grafitii cache where you had to create grafitii on the lava with white stones or shells. Bill made a W (for Wisconsin). This is against current regulations, so after completing, we picked up the stones and placed them in a bag Gary had brought. CITO in action. It was then on to Kona where we found a Webcam, ate diner while being closely watched, and took pictures of the sunset. It was about an eighty-mile drive back to Hilo.
November 20
Visited South Point, the southernmost point in the United States. From there we visited the green sand beach which involved a two-mile stand in-the-back of a pickup truck ride. Beautiful scenery and a fun ride for all.
The black sand beaches and green sea turtles were next on the list. On the way to Punalu'u Black Sand Beach Park we stopped for a geocache located near satellite dishes used in the Apollo space missions. Saw the sea turtles which was high on Sharon's want-to-see list. The group had their pick of restaurants in Hilo. Eight of us chose the Pineapple...it was a good choice.
Visited South Point, the southernmost point in the United States. From there we visited the green sand beach which involved a two-mile stand in-the-back of a pickup truck ride. Beautiful scenery and a fun ride for all.
The black sand beaches and green sea turtles were next on the list. On the way to Punalu'u Black Sand Beach Park we stopped for a geocache located near satellite dishes used in the Apollo space missions. Saw the sea turtles which was high on Sharon's want-to-see list. The group had their pick of restaurants in Hilo. Eight of us chose the Pineapple...it was a good choice.
November 21:
Today was East Coast day. Got to Waipio Lookout in time to see the scenic view before fog came in. Stopped in Honokaa for geocaching that included going to the public library.
Then drove to Laupahoe Point Beach Park, to see the tsunami memorial. The memorial was for the 24 people killed by a high wave that destroyed the school located here. The wave was caused by an earthquake in the Aleutian Islands that caused a 55' high wave that traveled at 500 mph across the ocean to Hawaii on April 1, 1946. Found caches and ate lunch and a group picture was taken there. Stopped in Hilo for some caching before heading to lodge to do laundry and pack. Outstanding dinner at the lodge that was prepared by group leaders...shrimp, salmon, chicken, salad, mashed potatoes, asparagus, desert, drinks.
Today was East Coast day. Got to Waipio Lookout in time to see the scenic view before fog came in. Stopped in Honokaa for geocaching that included going to the public library.
Then drove to Laupahoe Point Beach Park, to see the tsunami memorial. The memorial was for the 24 people killed by a high wave that destroyed the school located here. The wave was caused by an earthquake in the Aleutian Islands that caused a 55' high wave that traveled at 500 mph across the ocean to Hawaii on April 1, 1946. Found caches and ate lunch and a group picture was taken there. Stopped in Hilo for some caching before heading to lodge to do laundry and pack. Outstanding dinner at the lodge that was prepared by group leaders...shrimp, salmon, chicken, salad, mashed potatoes, asparagus, desert, drinks.
Trip Video by Bill Blood
Pictures on this page with "Geocaching in Hawaii" in the upper left hand corner are from this video.
YouTube video "Geocaching in Hawaii". (Link will transfer you out of this website)
Pictures on this page with "Geocaching in Hawaii" in the upper left hand corner are from this video.
November 22 - 25
Big Island (Hawaii), Hawaii
Grand Naniloa Hotel, Hilo
View from our window showing cruise ship arriving and view from the bathroom.
Big Island (Hawaii), Hawaii
Grand Naniloa Hotel, Hilo
View from our window showing cruise ship arriving and view from the bathroom.
November 22:
This was departure day for Gary Lewis' geo tour of the Big Island (Hawaii). Goodbyes were said and the group headed to the airport for flights home or to pick up rental cars. After we loaded our stuff into the rental car at the Lodge, we headed into Hilo. Had lunch at Ken's, visited some local areas to see wildlife and found a few geocaches before checking into our room...very nice accommodations. A leisurely day.
This was departure day for Gary Lewis' geo tour of the Big Island (Hawaii). Goodbyes were said and the group headed to the airport for flights home or to pick up rental cars. After we loaded our stuff into the rental car at the Lodge, we headed into Hilo. Had lunch at Ken's, visited some local areas to see wildlife and found a few geocaches before checking into our room...very nice accommodations. A leisurely day.
November 23:
Spent the day in Hilo. Visited the Pacific Tsunami Museum and the Makupapapa Discovery Center, did some geocaching and hiking and some plain old relaxing.
Spent the day in Hilo. Visited the Pacific Tsunami Museum and the Makupapapa Discovery Center, did some geocaching and hiking and some plain old relaxing.
November 24:
Breakfast at the hotel, found a few Hilo caches and headed to Kona. On the way we saw a large herd of goats? sheep? As we neared Kona Sea Salt for a tour, we encountered a group on goats on the road. It was interesting how they process salt water to make a variety of sea salt products. The salt is made from pure, 900 year-old deep ocean water that is rich in natural minerals. The salt water is drawn from 2,200 feet below the ocean’s surface.
From there we went to Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park where we did a walking/narrated tour. Need to learn more about this amazing park and the history of this area. Then it was about a ninety-mile drive back to Hilo.
Breakfast at the hotel, found a few Hilo caches and headed to Kona. On the way we saw a large herd of goats? sheep? As we neared Kona Sea Salt for a tour, we encountered a group on goats on the road. It was interesting how they process salt water to make a variety of sea salt products. The salt is made from pure, 900 year-old deep ocean water that is rich in natural minerals. The salt water is drawn from 2,200 feet below the ocean’s surface.
From there we went to Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park where we did a walking/narrated tour. Need to learn more about this amazing park and the history of this area. Then it was about a ninety-mile drive back to Hilo.
November 26:
Arrived at airport early because of an anticipated longer check-in. Had breakfast at Hilo airport. "Luxury" seating on concourse at the food court. And then there was to open air gate areas. Flew to Honolulu where we had a four hour wait for flight. Arrived in Phoenix at 12:15 am. Took Uber to Todd's.
Arrived at airport early because of an anticipated longer check-in. Had breakfast at Hilo airport. "Luxury" seating on concourse at the food court. And then there was to open air gate areas. Flew to Honolulu where we had a four hour wait for flight. Arrived in Phoenix at 12:15 am. Took Uber to Todd's.
See our trip before and after Hawaii at To Arizona and Return Home or exit to Website Home Page