Big Island: The best vacation I ever had

[cynmkolohe]

@PukaFace - just catching up on City-Data posts after my long weekend in the Bay area. If I'd seen that sticker, I'd have come to say "hello!" :-)

[rebelryng]

Thanks for the love everyone. I can't help but to dwell on it but I would like to add a few reflections of my stay on the BI.

-We were there for Labor Day weekend and saw all the biker crews ridin' up and down the Island. Saw some awesome motorcycles in action, Hawaii style!
-The koki frogs were in full effect in Kapoho. They were like an orchestra at night! But I miss them. I'll take a loud koki frog night over a quiet mainland night.
-In Waikoloa, the stars were so bright and clear that I saw 4 shooting stars in only 35 minutes of lounging on the balcony of my hotel room.
-Kapoha has these amazing Tsunami ready homes. One place looked like a mansion on stilts! I want one.
-Thanks to my local friends for NOT letting my know that Kawaihea Harbour was formerly a shark Heiau! Wikipedia told me! I probably wouldn't have tried paddleboarding if they had told me though. I end up loving paddling. My friend only told me that there are "big fish" out there. Do sharks actually hang out inside the harbour?
-Yes, there is a strong hippy type community in Pahoa and Kapoho. Sorry for catagorizing. Saw all the locals gather together at Ahalanui Park on a Sunday morning. A lot of love and ohana going on. There was a guy in the heated pond that was going around and talking about astrology with everyone. He told me I was a warrior type with a lot energy because I'm an Aries. He was fun.
-Morning runs up and down Kapoho Kai road were glorious. On one of my runs, it rained the whole time. That day end up being the hottest day out there.
-After swimming in Champagne Pond, I got out of the water and a local smiled and said, "Haole boy come a long way, huh?!" I loved it. Actually made me feel welcome.
Funny thing was that I was 5 shades darker than him and I'm filipino, but he could still tell I was from the mainland. He laughed and gave me a chaka, making feel like I was welcomed into Da Hui.
-Dried lava fields in Kalapana were beautiful. Can't believe there used to be a beach there.
-I was gonna visit BJ Penn,s gym but he had just lost a fight, so I decided maybe now is not a good time. My friends took me around properties in Hilo that are owned by his dad. Penn Realty I think?
-Pahoa to Waikoloa = major culture shock.
-I downloaded almost all of 95.9 Native FM playlist to my Ipod. No more HipHop and R&B for me.
Aloha and Mahalo everyone! I miss you Hawaii