“E Hoomau Maua Kealoha”…may our love last forever.
The lands of Hawaii have beckoned us for years and a visit to Hale Nicolai and a reunion with the Esona Ohana has been long overdue…so it was with much joy and anticipation that we finally boarded Hawaiian Airlines flight HA47 to Kona International Airport at Keahole
Welcome to Hawaii’s “Big Island”…the island of Adventure. The island of Hawaii is the youngest island in the Hawaiian chain, yet by far the biggest. This is the home of one of the world’s most active volcanoes - Kilauea, the tallest sea mountain in the world - Mauna Kea, the most massive mountain in the world - Mauna Loa, and the largest park in the state - Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. But we started our trip with a romantic getaway to one of the most beautiful beaches to grace a coastline… Hapuna Beach.
Due to an unfortunate 2-hour delay at Hertz-Rent-A-Car because of a lack of cars for the July 4th Holiday, we were able to secure a free upgrade. Hertz threw us a bone for the wait and provided us a brand new Mustang convertible. We felt liked we scored…that is, until we counted 30 of those same rides on the Hwy 19 between the airport and hotel…oh well, it was still unique and fun!
Our room accommodations were provided by the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel. Nestled into the bluffs above the white sands of Hapuna Beach on the west and towered above by the majestic Mauna Kea on the east, this multi-terraced resort is situated on 1,839 oceanfront acres. The front desk upgraded our accomodations to a luxurious ocean view room that perfectly complimented and highlighted the surreal beauty and tranquility of the beautiful coastline. The staff must have looked at us, smiled, then whispered..."newlyweds".
Unofficial access to the 175 mile Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail can be found on the beach. The National Park Service indicates this trail is quite unique in that it focuses on the preservation of Hawaiian culture and heritage as well as promoting environmental stewardship and education, a path that joins the past to the present and the future. Although our short trek took us only to our sister resort, the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, the lava rock trail traverses much further north, including through the Pu’ukohala Heiau National Historical Site.
This site is home to one of the largest restored heiau (temple) in Hawaii and is also now part of the National Park System. Built by Kamehameha the Great this massive stone temple was built without the use of mortar and it is believed that the lava rocks used to build the structure were passed hand-by-hand in a human chain some 25 miles away. And as you wander through these sacred grounds, you ask yourself, “How many places in America can you walk in the footsteps of a king?”
Our "short" two days are now coming to an end and we now must bid a fond farewell to this beautiful beach. We leave with skin of bronze, souvenirs of sand hidden in those hard to get at crevices and the most vivid Kodak memories that will last into the after life.
We will not easily forget the many hours spent on this precious sand. Staring at drifting puffs of clouds, with a brilliant blue canvas as a backdrop, slowly evaporate from the heat of the sun or gazing upon an endless carpet of sea glass, swelling with the pulse of the tide can easily bring one to a state of meditation usually reserved only for those “highly evolved” beings...banana slugs.
One's life path should include these rest stops more often than not at all. We should all desire to experience these moments of reflection, creating new dreams and some vitamin E solar charging. The seldom used life gift of "just being" should be unwrapped more often. And although we yearn and say that we will return some day, we know that the world has far too many destinations yet to premiere for the eyes of these curious wayfarers...
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