Kona Seas

I've been hanging out at Kona Bali Kai, a condo complex right on the ocean at one of the best surf breaks in Kona.  The ocean is only a few yards away, and the surfies and boogyboarders entertain all day every day.  There's also a fine pool and hot tub in the complex that is very refreshing after a hot day in the sand and salt water.  I've stayed here five or six times over the past 20 years or so.  Here's a typical sunset from my lanai.  Notice the dead frond on the palm...that will soon be dealt with.

Kua Bay, about ten miles north of Kona.  Until about 10-12 years ago this gorgeous spot was accessible only by four wheel drive, mountain bike, or foot.  Then it was made a part of Kekaha Kai State Park and a paved road was built.  Now it's very popular, for obvious reasons.  Not much shade here...wear heavy duty sunscreen or bring a stout beach umbrella...rather windy here at times. 

Surfies as seen from my lanai at Kona Bali Kai.  And a paddleboarder.

Fine sunset from my lanai.  I live on my lanai when I'm at Kona Bali Kai.

And...it's gone!

This is pahoehoe lava at Kekaha Kai State Park, just north of Kona airport.  Except for the grasses and the kiawe tree the lava looks fresh, right?  Like it flowed a few years ago, missing the sparse vegetation?  Well, this lava flowed in 1801, when Napoleon was kickin' butt in Europe and Thomas Jefferson was succeeding John Adams as US president.  With only ten inches of rain a year, and over fifty inches of evaporation, the ground is slow to revegetate here.

The beach at Kekaha Kai.  The road here is terrible...a mixture of ancient potholed pavement, gravel, and lava.  You can make it in a two wheel drive car if you go 10 MPH and FOCUS....continuous concentration.  I've been coming here for 20 years and I guess the reason the road has not been paved is to keep 90 percent of the tourons out.  If the 2 mile access road was paved, this place would be packed...it's closer to Kona than Kua Bay.  It appears the state designated Kua Bay as the touron beach and decided to keep this one more exclusive.  The beach at Kua Bay is perhaps a tad nicer but this beach has much more shade.

A'a lava at Kekaha Kai.  At least 150 years old and unmodified by time.

The beach at Kekaha Kai is beautiful.  But there is an even nicer strand nearby.  You have to hike over the a'a , beyond the trees in the far distance, to get there.

And here it is...Makalawena.  Beauty and peace.  I am at my spot.  I always drop my beach mat in the shade of the Australian pines at the middle of the beach and loaf, doze, and chill.  The aquamarine water is warm and swimming is delightful.  Hard to get here...bothersome 15 minute treks over lava both on foot and by vehicle...but worth it.  Makalawena is not deserted...there were a fair number of people here on a nice Saturday...but (A) they're all in a good mood; and (B) a fair number of them are sheilas in bikinis.  So all is good.

In a couple of weeks I will be spending three nights at the Hilton Waikaloa.  So I decided to scout out the grounds today.  I found this happy Buddha.  Blow up the pic and you can see his bird friend perched atop his head.

Blow up this pic and you can read the sign.  Wheel of Fortune is coming!  They will be broadcasting at the Hilton Waikoloa for awhile.  Don't know when, but soon.

Waikoloa has many calm inlets where honu...green sea turtles...like to hang out.  One goes right into the hotel property and the honu are lovingly cared for.

Back to Kona Bali Kai.  The palms next to the beach occasionally need grooming, and here's the groomer!  He shinnies up the palm, using metal hoops and foot supports, and chops off the old fronds with his trusty machete.  A little different from working in an office.