In the splendor of Wailuku. Come, let's go back. Of my never-fading lei. I was born in Hawaii and raised in Kailua-Kona, which is located on the west side of the Big Island of Hawaii. When I was a little girl, it was just a sleepy little fishing village and the soft, gentle breezes of the tradewinds that drifted in from the ocean kept the temperature at a balmy 86 degrees F. almost year round. It was a different climate and a different time. The aloha spirit was everywhere and the ohana (family) and the aina (land) were the most important things in our lives. When the fish were running and the taro and the breadfruit were plentiful; we were happy. We didn't ask for much and we didn't need much. Life was much simpler back then. We will start the Big Island of Hawaii Circle Island Tour, by heading north to Kohala, where I will tell you a little about the diversities of this wonderful land that is my home.
Kailua-Kona will be covered once we go around the island in Part 5 its base is partly below sea level. It is the only place in the world that you can drive from sea level to 14,000 feet in 1-1/2 hours. At the summit of Mauna Kea is the Mauna Kea Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawai'i Observatory, home of the world's largest astronomical observatory for optical, infrared, and submillimeter astronomy. The observatory is home to telescopes operated by astronomers from eleven different countries. There are currently thirteen working telescopes. In ancient times, our ancestors navigated by the stars that you can see from this observatory. At the 9,300 foot level is the Ellison Onizuka Institute for Astronomy. His riding and roping skills are legendary. We sing his praises and boast about his skills in cowboy songs and hulas. We are now backtracking through Haw'i to go to the other side of the northern tip of North Kohala. There are several small beach parks along the way.
We are bypassing Kapaa and heading to Mahukona. In the late 1800s in North Kohala, the main shipping port for sugar cane was located at Mahukona. In 1889, a lighthouse was built to accommodate all of the shipping vessels coming into port. The fog during the winter month's can get quite heavy, along with the rough seas, making it difficult to navigate the huge ships. Once the last sugar plantation was shut down, the thriving seaport, ceased to exist, however, the old pier from those by-gone plantation days is still there. During the winter months, the ocean becomes inaccessible, due to the high surf, but it is still one of the best places to go to whale watch. Regardless of the name, Mahukona Beach Park has no beach. The shoreline is very rocky, but it does have sparkling clear underwater visibility which makes it an excellent place to go snorkeling, diving, and fishing.
