National Parks of the USA #3

USS Arizona Memorial

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View of the USS Arizona Photo - Honolulu, Oahu

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Perhaps one of the most somber of all of the US National Parks locations, this is what is left of that fateful day—December 7, 1941 when the Japanese surprised the world by attacking the US Naval Base at Pearl Harbor on the Hawaiian Island of Oahu. The USS Arizona remains where she sank in the harbor, with the rings of oil still seeping out into the water; the sight is very disturbing and unsettling.Visitors are asked to maintain a quiet presence given that this is the final resting place for some 1,102 soldiers who were killed aboard the ship. Only 75 sailors survived the attack. The memorial is a small building that was constructed perpendicular over the USS Arizona, allowing visitors t...Read More

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Haleakala National Park

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Located on the Hawaiian Island of Maui, this is truly a special place. At an elevation of 10,023 feet this volcanic cone and crater provides visitors with opportunities for once in a lifetime unique experiences. As one of the tallest mountains of the Pacific Islands, you can see Haleakala from the Big Island of Hawaii. From the top of Haleakala, you can see three other islands in the Hawaiian chain.For the adventurous, you can ride a bicycle down the mountain...or horseback ride around the top of the cone...or simply hike among the nene and silverswords. Silverswords are one of the most unique plants I’ve ever heard of or seen. These plants grow to be typically between four and eight f...Read More

Located on the Hawaiian Island of Maui, this is truly a special place. At an elevation of 10,023 feet this volcanic cone and crater provides visitors with opportunities for once in a lifetime unique experiences. As one of the tallest mountains of the Pacific Islands, you can see Haleakala from the Big Island of Hawaii. From the top of Haleakala, you can see three other islands in the Hawaiian chain.

For the adventurous, you can ride a bicycle down the mountain...or horseback ride around the top of the cone...or simply hike among the nene and silverswords. Silverswords are one of the most unique plants I’ve ever heard of or seen. These plants grow to be typically between four and eight feet tall. They may take anywhere from two to 50 years to bloom. Once they bloom and the flowers pollinated, the plant dies. Yes that’s right, they only bloom once and then they die to perpetuate the species. The shiny silver stalky leaves are very pretty. The reddish blooms are unique, looking much like a smaller sunflower.

Haleakala is probably most well known for the spectacular views at sunrise and overnight. There are a couple of international observatories here due to the outstanding vantage point for exploration of the universe. Many tourists get up long before sunrise to make the trek to the top of Haleakala for sunrise. Because of the high altitude even summer nights can be particularly cold. Even afternoons can find temperatures dipping 15 to 20 degrees below temperatures below on the beaches of Maui.

Speaking of the altitude, do not forget that the air is much thinner when you’re nearly two miles above sea level! For those with respiratory ailments such as asthma, be sure to carry your inhaler or any other medication you may need should you get into trouble. And don’t over exert yourself. The thin air will cause you to get light headed if you do.

Before you head out for a day at Haleakala National Park you’ll want to stock up on bottled water, snacks and make sure your car has a full tank of gas. This is a long, slow drive to the summit which will leave you thirsty and famished if you don’t plan for beverages and a snack or picnic lunch.

Enjoy a day with your head in the clouds! It is a great experience!!
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Volcanoes National Park

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I have been fortunate to visit Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island of Hawaii on four different trips to Kona. Each time has been uniquely different and frankly, I cannot wait for our next trip in September 2007! I’ve been alone, with my hubby and mother-in-law and most recently with two girlfriends from Wisconsin. Each time that I’ve done the trip, it has been one of those “ALL DAY” day trips, driving over from the Kona region of the Big Island. Trust me, that makes for a VERY long day especially if you plan on being around to see what you might be able to see after nightfall.It is my opinion that a trip down Chain of Craters Road is a must experience while in Volcanoes NP. It wil...Read More

I have been fortunate to visit Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island of Hawaii on four different trips to Kona. Each time has been uniquely different and frankly, I cannot wait for our next trip in September 2007! I’ve been alone, with my hubby and mother-in-law and most recently with two girlfriends from Wisconsin. Each time that I’ve done the trip, it has been one of those “ALL DAY” day trips, driving over from the Kona region of the Big Island. Trust me, that makes for a VERY long day especially if you plan on being around to see what you might be able to see after nightfall.

It is my opinion that a trip down Chain of Craters Road is a must experience while in Volcanoes NP. It will take a significant amount of time, so plan accordingly. Ideally, I would suggest you visit and take in the area around the visitors’ center at the summit of Kilauea on Crater Rim Drive early in your visit and plan for a late afternoon trip down Chain of Craters Road. Once at the bottom of the road (20 miles and a 3,500 foot drop in altitude to sea level) you will want to park your car and get out to walk over the 2003 lava flow. If you plan on being out there after dusk, be sure to take flashlights (one for EACH person in your party!). While the NPS rangers have marked a “path” don’t be mistaken by expecting it to be a smooth gravel type path. You will be hiking over sharp, rugged, course lava rocks that will cut you like nothing you’ve ever fallen on. Good shoes is also a must. I can’t believe the number of people I’ve seen out there in flip-flops going out and cut up feet coming back. NOT a fun way to spend a vacation.

There is the Volcano House Hotel inside the park itself, as well as several small bed and breakfasts just outside the park. You may want to consider doing an overnight in the area so that you can have more time to spend exploring the park and the neighboring areas of Puna and Hilo. For our next trip, I’m certain that is what we are going to do in order to avoid spending so much time (and gas) driving back and forth from the Kona side of the island.
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Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park ("Place of Refuge")

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Place of Refuge Photo - Hawaii (Big Island), Hawaii

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Known as the “Place of Refuge” the Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park is located on the Big Island of Hawaii, about 30 minutes south from the downtown village area of Kailua-Kona. This is a sacred location to natives, believing that they will able to find refuge from a death sentence if they are able to make their way here.As you walk the grounds here, you can see the reconstructed temple, grass houses and ki’i guards carved in wood overlooking and protecting the temple. Everything has been reconstructed to replicate this village to its appearance in the 1700s. Great care was taken by the US Park Service to assure that respect was paid to the native traditions and beliefs, with...Read More

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Pu’ukohola Heiau National Historic Site

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The Shoreline at Pu’ukohola Heiau Photo - Hawaii (Big Island), Hawaii

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Pu’ukohola Heiau National Historic Site honors King Kamehameha’s 1790s building of a temple of lava stone to earn the favor of the God of War, Kuka'ilimoku. It was here that as Kamehameha worked to unify the Hawaiian Islands under his rule, he sacrificed a rival tribal leader. His monarchy lasted for 83 years, from 1810 until 1893. With the overthrow of kapu law system in 1819, came the end to the worshipping of Gods and the ritual of using a heiau in that practice.During this time, King Kamehameha captured and later become friends with two European sailors who became the King’s ally and helped him in battle. John Young later became the governor of the Island of Hawai’i and Isaac Davis t...Read More

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Hawaii Journals

National Parks of the USA #3

USS Arizona Memorial

Haleakala National Park

Volcanoes National Park

Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park ("Place of Refuge")

Pu’ukohola Heiau National Historic Site

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