While I don’t endorse doing what this guy did, we do get to benefit from the video he shot of the recent tsunami waves hitting Kailua-Kona.  Previously, I reported that there was extensive damage to hotels and businesses along Ali’i Drive, fronting the bay.
This video shows the water as it passes over the break wall […]

The following is an excerpt from a statement issued by Mayor Billy Kenoi of Hawaii County (the Big Island), regarding initial damage reports from the tsunami that hit Hawaii Friday morning following the massive 8.9 earthquake in Japan, last Thursday.
“County Police, Fire, Public Works and Environmental Management crews worked with State Highways, the American Red […]

Back in October of last year, I  commented on the United/Continental Airlines merger and how it might affect the number and cost of seats to Hawaii.  Well, I’m happy to observe that there has at least been one positive addition to come from this merger.
United/Continental has just announced that Continental will begin direct service in […]

First planting of Cacao beans in 1850
Chocolate from Hawaii began with the introduction of cacao beans to Hawaii happened in 1850, when German physician William Hillebrand brought the first plant to Foster Botanical Garden in Honolulu.   The first commercial crop of cacao beans was planted in Hilo in the early 1890’s.  World War I brought […]

Hilo…lots of rain also means waterfalls
As promised in an earlier post, this post will discuss the Big Island town of Hilo, which retains the look and feel of downtown from 100 years ago, including many of the original buildings.
Hilo is known for being rainy all the time…it does get over 70″ of rain annually, which […]

Recent Pahoa Volcanic Activity
The news/media seem to be overstating the impact of recent Hawaii volcanic activity.  I thought I would write this post to un-dramatize the recent volcanic activity and its impending impact.  While it is true the current lava flow is moving towards the village of Pahoa, located to the southeast of Hilo, and […]

Mauna Kea Onizuka Visitor Center
Located at the 9200′ point on the slopes of 13,803′ Mauna Kea, the Onizuka Visitor Information Station makes for a great spot to acclimate to the altitude.  Altitude sickness is a real possibility for those who continue on to the summit and it is suggested that anyone planning on doing so, […]

While Mauna Kea tends to get all the headlines and notoriety as the tallest and most observatory riddled mountain in Hawaii (and the world), its sister peak across the valley should not be overlooked.  Mauna Loa is a scant 117′ shorter, but because of its long, gently sloping sides, is deceptive in its appearance.

And, while […]