May 4, 2017 - Tanya's Trip to Hawaii - Day 3 - Hawi, Rainbow & ​Umauma Falls and ​Pepe'ekeo 4-mile Scenic Drive and Tanya's Drive Around the Big Island

Elisa's Daily Scoop
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Hey Guys!!
Another lovely day here on Long Island.  Sun shining brightly, gorgeous breeze and the flowers are in bloom!

So, here's the weirdest thing - I was writing my blog earlier, when all of a sudden I lose internet service.  I didn't know what was going on, but then I noticed that the light on my laptop charger was not on and it WAS plugged in.

That's when I realized there was probably a problem with the power.  Sure enough, I go and flip on the light and Nothing!  I went around my first floor and the same big nothing, including my fridge, which was not on.

I wasn't sure what the problem was, although I wasn't in a panic, since we were not having a storm, nor heavy wind, so I figured it would return pretty soon.  Sure enough, after I returned from picking up the girls at 2:30, the electricity was back on. 

That is why the blog is being posted late today.  So sorry.

​Well, we'll get right down to the topic at hand -- Hawaii!!! 

This is Tanya's third day in the Aloha state and as she flits around the Big Island, I'd like to chat about a few highlights of her visit today...

Hawi

Hawi - North Kohala’s "biggest little town." (credit: hawaiimagazine)

Hawi, located on The Big Island of Hawaii, is the area of North Kohala’s "biggest little town." It is a historic town located in the green northern tip of the island, and was one the hub of North Kohala's now defunct sugar industry.

In recent years, it has gained fame as the bicycle turnaround for the annual Ironman World Championship held every October.

Today, Hawi is home to a handful of charming art galleries, boutiques and restaurants set in colorful and lively plantation buildings. You’ll find everything here from handmade jewelry and crafts to homemade fudge and 100% Kona coffee.

​The Bamboo Restaurant & Gallery was once voted best restaurant on Hawaii Island and is a great stop for a fresh island style meal.

Rainbow Falls

Rainbow Falls is a waterfall located near downtown Hilo, Hawaii in Wailuku River State Park.

It has an 80-foot drop and almost 100-feet in diameter. It is known for the rainbows that are formed in the surrounding mist.

and almost 100 ft in diameter. The falls are part of the Hawai'i State Parks. 
 

Umauma Falls

Umauma Falls - three falls in close proximity (credit: Hawaiiguide.com)

The Umauma Falls are located on the Umauma River on the Big Island of Hawaii, approximately 16 miles north of Hilo.

They are unique in Hawaii as being a series of three waterfalls that are in close proximity.

The best view is from an overlook located on private botanical garden property, which can be accessed for a fee. 

The Umauma Falls and River has been forming since the Mauna Kea volcano on which flank it flows slowly emerged from the sea beginning millions of years ago.​

​Pepe'ekeo 4-mile scenic Drive

View of Onomea Bay from the Pepe'ekeo scenic drive (credit: trip advisor)

The Pepe’ekeo (also known as the Onomea bay) scenic drive is the most famous scenic routes on the Big Island.

It is a 4 mile stretch of the old Mamalahoa Highway that twists from scenic spot to scenic spot through lush tropical forest and provides some gorgeous views of Onomea Bay.

Along the way, is the The Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens and has an array of tropical plants and flowers. Hiking through the number of trails, there are over 2000 species of plants to behold and that is why these hikes have been described as a “walk in paradise” and “stunningly beautiful”.


Such Beauty to see!!!

Did you check out Tanya's stunning pics from today?  


Tonight I'm heading out to dinner with my sister.  We have not been out in a while, so we thought it would be a fun idea for a Thursday night.

Going to take pics of our food for tomorrow's blog and do  a little follow up from my last visit there in September, 2014.

Have a great one!!

-E
xoxo

Tanya's Daily Scoop
CURRENTLY TRAVELING IN: HAWAII

My Drive Around the Big Island

Good Day - Good Day - Good Day!

ALOHA and Greetings from the Big Island of Hawaii!

How wonderful it is to wake up to the sound of crashing waves right outside your window!
I'm also pretty sure that hearing the sound in my sleep is uber relaxing as well. 

Another sound that we've been hearing each and every night has been the mating calls of the Coqui frog.

Credit: amphibianrescue.org

​
From the moment I heard it, I knew that I recognized that sound, but had wondered what this indigenous, tiny and rather cute creature to Puerto Rico was doing all the way out here?!
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Coquíes have become established in the Big Island of Hawai'i, where they are considered an invasive species. Coquí population density in Hawaii can reach 20,000 animals per acre and affects 50,000 acres. THAT MEANS A LOT OF FROGS!!

And from what I've read, the locals aren't very big fans of these little guys.

Hawai'i's lush vegetation, warm temperatures and high humidity not only welcome human visitors but indiscriminately provide a tropical paradise for the more than 1,000 alien plants, vertebrates, and invertebrates that have been accidentally introduced from all corners of the world over the past 65 years. Some have become established at the expense of native species, competing for habitat and nutrient sources.

One species that has garnered much attention recently is the coqui frog.

Its ability to quickly adapt to Hawai'i from its native Puerto Rico and reach unprecedented numbers, the absence of predators, and its noisy mating behavior have made the coqui frog the target of government and community eradication and control efforts.
(ref: ctahr.hawaii.edu)

Eradication campaigns are underway on Hawaiʻi and Maui (FYI I have never heard the Coqui in Maui). 

I kinda enjoy the sound.

Anyway let me tell you all about my day yesterday...

As I mentioned earlier, it began with the sounds of the crashing waves and waking up to the beautiful view of the Kona coastline.

We headed back to Evolution Bakery Cafe for breakfast and some wonderful fresh Pineapple juice - Hawaii is seriously home to some of the best tasting pineapples!

After brekkie we took a shop and stroll through the Historic District of Kailua, and out to the pier.

By late morning the heat was starting to get to me and it was time for an A/C break and to hit the road en-route to do a drive around the rim of the western and northern parts of the island.

Our first stop would be the Polou Valley Beach and Coastline (the word pololū means "long spear" in the Hawaiian language). Pololū is the northernmost of a series of erosional valleys forming the east coast of Kohala Mountain on the Island of Hawaiʻi. ​

Following a lovely short and steep hike, we were back in the car and back tracking a bit to head into the town of Hawi.

There we would have a lovely lunch at The Sweet Potato Kitchen, walk around and in and out of the small downtown and only a few blocks further down the road is the small town of Kapaau where we stopped to take some photos with the original King Kamehameha statue - nearby his birthplace.

Then back on the road we would go a taking the very scenic drive on Kohala Moutain Road. With our next destination being the Waipio Valley. The weather however did become a bit drizzly and dark clouds had filled the skies - we were definitely on the "wet" side of the island and away from ALL of those Lava Fields!

It was LUSH and GREEN - just the way I like it!

But we were losing sunlight as well. What can I say - it was a long day - and still not even close to being over!

We would then head to the Pepe'ekeo 4-mile scenic drive - which was pretty much like driving through a jungle. And the off to see Rainbow Falls. I had also wanted to see Pe'epe'e Falls, but the gates had already been closed for the day upon our arrival.

Next stop was the most curious of all - Uncle Roberts Farmer's Market...

Which was more like a locals block party and by locals I mean High Hippies. And "they" were having a great time! Which is fabulous. We however were the "odd" man/woman out. We sooooo did not fit in here and the atmosphere had made my "uptight" Dave rather uncomfortable and edgy. 

I had planned on us having dinner out here, as there was suppose to be plenty of vegan offerings - however neither of us was too happy with the offerings that were being offered - and this on top of everything else was enough for me to call it quits and bounce on out of there.

We headed to the nearby town of Pahoa for a nice Thai dinner and then for the 2hr drive back to Kona! 

Whew what a day!

And I'm rearing and ready to get on out there and do some more exploring today!!!

I'll fill ya in on it in tomorrows Daily Scoop.

Ciao 4 now,
​-T