Big Island Day 1 - Hilo

On our way to Hilo there was a 4-mile scenic route that we took after Akaka Falls looking for a place to make some lunch. PB&Js hit the spot after our Hurricane stop. 

We found Onomea Bay Trail and decided to stop there.  It was a beautiful lava rock beach. The girls did their photo shoots while Hydee and I made sandwiches. Then we headed to the Hilo Farmers Market.

We  bought a cacao, and a white guava, they threw in some fruits to try but we don't remember what they were called. We accidentally bought a papaya instead of a mango at Walmart.  That wasn't a favorite - it tastes like cantaloupe. 

Then we bought some mango smooties and headed across the street to the crafters market. It was fun to see what they can make out of coconuts and palm fronds. We bought an ornament, stickers and everyone bought a dress.  (Dad and Hydee got shirts) and I bought a Hawaiian shirt with shorts for Pax!!

After spending too much, we went to the Lili'uokalani Gardens.

After walking through the gardens we went across the street to a bridge to Mokuola or Coconut Island. Here is a link to a story about a girl who grew up on the island.

http://tsunami.org/qrcodes/coconut-island/

Now it is a community park. There are little pools to swim in, cliff diving off an old Naval platform, volleyball, bbqs, parties, etc. Teens were gossiping about the boys jumping off the platform in the bathroom,  it was just a close community feeling. I love those kind of places after traveling for CMA (city manager's association). I could live there. 

After Hilo, we went to Rainbow Fall. Catch the next blog Day 1 Part 3..