Friday, August 12, 2011
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| Michelle and Jerry infront of the sleek Eco-Star helicopter |
This morning we drove to Hilo airport for our helicopter tour of the Big Island. After checking in at the Hawaiian Blue counter, we attended a safety orientation, where we were issued bright yellow personal flotation devices that were tied around our wastes. In case the helicopter went down over the ocean, these would keep us afloat. We were then hurried onto the runway, and, one by one, herded on to the sleek-looking Eco-Star helicopter.
The pilot was a laid-back old timer named Daro, who seemed completely uninterested in chauffeuring a bunch of tourists around the Big Island. He was visibly irritated at having to field questions from Gary, an annoying Californian who insisted on knowing everything from the date of the most recent volcanic cone collapse, to the acreage of land overtaken by lava flow. At one point Jerry imagined the pilot leaning back and clocking Gary, but Daro was professional, even going back and circling low around a lava-devastated piece of land so that Gary could see a half-buried stop sign he had missed earlier.
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| View inside the steaming Pu'u 'o'o crater of the Kilauea Volcano |
The highlight of the flight came when the pilot circled around the steaming Pu'u 'o'o crater of the active Kilauea Volcano. We could see hot red lava flowing from one side of the crater, while steam rose from the depths of its interior. We could also see reflections from small metal objects, dotting the crater's rim. These are
webcams, set up by the USGS to monitor the volcano's activity. It was truly an awesome sight.
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Recent lava flow near the Pu'u 'o'o crater (Click on the image to
zoom in. The tiny red spots are areas of flowing hot lava) |
The pilot made a few passes around the crater, then headed to one of the many waterfalls around Hilo. The waterfalls were less impressive compared to the steaming cauldron of the volcano. But, by this time we were both starting to get sick, so we were glad when it came time to get back on the ground.
After the helicopter tour, we decided to visit Akaka Falls State Park. Following the short drive from Hilo, we hiked about 15 minutes through lush, but easily traversable rainforest before reaching our destination. Akaka Falls are some of the tallest in Hawaii, plunging about 420 feet to a stream bellow. We had a great view from a paved area near the edge of a cliff, facing the falls on the other side of the valley. The awesome sight didn't disappoint, and we got some great shots for our photo album.
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| Akaka Falls |
When we returned to Hilo, on the advice of our Lonely Planet guide book, we stopped at the Hilo Bay Cafe for dinner. It turned out to be a small, crowded bar/restaurant inside a strip mall. At first sight, it definitely did not appear like a place for good food, so we were really surprised when this turned out to be one of the best meals we had on the islands. The dishes were simple, made with local, fresh ingredients, and tasted superb. Hilo is not known for great dinning, so this was a pleasant surprise. Thanks Lonely Planet!
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| Akaka Falls State Park |
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| Jerry and Michelle infront of Akaka Falls |
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| Michelle at the falls |
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| Large banyan tree in Akaka Falls State Park |
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| Fern growing in the park |
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| Heliconia |
