Five days and counting 'til we fly away from Paradise. With Tropical Storm Flossie churning towards Hawaii, my kids and I piled into the car for one last coastal drive around the Gathering Place.
First stop - Koko Crater Trail. From Discover Hawaii Tours (link),
A relatively short hike, the Koko Crater Trail is only about 1.5 miles (from parking lot to the summit), but increases in elevation by 1,200 feet! This hike is challenging due to the sharp incline, but the views at the top are well worth the effort; you’ll get a breathtaking 360 degree view of east O’ahu.
The railroad ties that make up the stairs for the trail were once part of an incline tram system during World War II, which was used to haul military personnel and supplies to the top of Koko Crater. This area was a part of the Koko Crater Air Force Station.
We hiked half a mile, took this picture of the Pacific Ocean, and walked down. It was steeper than it looked and hotter than expected.
Other hikers had fun with their worn out shoes!
Koko Crater generated the lava to create Koko Head ....
... home of Hanauma Bay (link) where tourists flock to snorkel over the coral reef. The parking lot was full ... so we continued along the coastal road.
Next stop - the Japanese fishing shrine overlooking Halona Beach.
Locals use the shrine to bless their fishing on the lava shelf below ...
The lava shelf wraps around the coastal cliff, leading to Halona Beach ....
... made famous by Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr in FROM HERE TO ETERNITY.
Beyond the beach is the Halona Blowhole with its own overlook. Oh, I will miss these sights!
Mahalo,
Kim in Hawaii
We hiked half a mile, took this picture of the Pacific Ocean, and walked down. It was steeper than it looked and hotter than expected.
Other hikers had fun with their worn out shoes!
Koko Crater generated the lava to create Koko Head ....
... home of Hanauma Bay (link) where tourists flock to snorkel over the coral reef. The parking lot was full ... so we continued along the coastal road.
Next stop - the Japanese fishing shrine overlooking Halona Beach.
Locals use the shrine to bless their fishing on the lava shelf below ...
... made famous by Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr in FROM HERE TO ETERNITY.
Beyond the beach is the Halona Blowhole with its own overlook. Oh, I will miss these sights!
Mahalo,
Kim in Hawaii
View of Diamond Head from the Koko Crater Trail
Oh Kim, I know you'll miss all the beautiful sights in Hawaii. But, I also know, you will find many new adventures and places to see & visit, in your new city. And the Aloha spirit will remain with you!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Linda. And oh the memories you will always have!! And you've given us so many wonderful ones too - even if only by word and pictures. You've told us such wonderful stories :)
ReplyDeleteWhat memories you have from Hawaii. Cherish them always.
ReplyDeleteLove love love the pictures...thanks for all the pictures from Hawaii! I learned so much.
ReplyDeleteWhat great pics! :) They do speak a thousand words!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you'll really miss it there. Have an uneventful packout and a good trip to MD.
ReplyDeleteReally enjoying these pics, Kim.
ReplyDeleteAs others have said, you will have your memories and all the wonderful pictures you have shared with us. I hope you are okay with the power outages and flooding. Be safe and thank you for all you have shared with us.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you're going to miss being there but I'm sure all these great pictures you've taken will help preserve all those great memories.
ReplyDeleteNice views
ReplyDelete