10 pounds in 11 days - a visit to Hawaii

How did I gain 10 pounds in 11 days? Let me see... We started out on Oahu for a day, then went to the Big Island for what, 8 days, then back to Oahu for the final day. It was probably the best vacation I've had, a mix of being both the kama'aina returning to roots, and the tourist seeing the new sights.

Here are some photos for your viewing pleasure:

Oahu - The first day We got off the Hawaiian Air jet around what, 6 a.m.? Right to Alamo and off to Leonard's for some malasadas. Oh yeah. From there it was still too early, so we went to Perlridge Shopping Center. Too early, so off to Makakilo to see the house I grew up in.

Here are some photos for your viewing pleasure:

Makakilo - Oh how it has changed Yeah it did. All the trees are much larger than when I grew up. Sorta makes sense. Now at the bottom of Makakilo (I refuse to call it "Kapolei") there is a big ol' park, fancy homes, a shopping center, all that. When I grew up, there was a little mini-mart, and that was it. Now it's huge.

The home I grew up in, where our family spent so many years, pretty much doesn't look like we ever lived there. Sort of weird, really, like X-Files weird. But that's reality. The new owners changed the yard and apparently rebuilt the garage to be enclosed. Too odd.

Waipi'o Valley - Heaven on earth

On the Big Island, my dad took us to the north coast, to Waipi'o Valley, a return to Hawai'i as it existed 300 years ago. Lush beyond description, everything was green. You could probably stick a golf ball in the ground and somehow a golf tree would emerge. Waipi'o Valey is the Eden of the Pacific.

Waikaloa Terrace - home away from home We had the privilege of staying in a condo belonging to some friends. Their place is truly spiff. Overlooking a golf course, it's a perfect view of the north Kona coast.

Waimea - also known as Kamuela

My dad lives in Kamuela. Very beautiful place. When dining for breakfast, you can't go wrong with either the Paniolo Cafe or Island Style Cafe.

From Kona to Volcano - Part 1 The newspaper declares "Target coming to Kona" and I cannot help but ask "why?". Kona is too touristy as is, if you ask me. They got K-Mart already, they got Costco, they got little overpriced boutiques on Alii Drive. Kona is the Waikiki of the Big Island, in every way.

The drive from Kona eventually passes Kona Joe's, a coffee plantation. It's nice, and they got free samples, too. Punalu'u Bakery is a required stop, to get their delicious lilikoi glazed malasadas.

From Kona to Volcano - Part 2 Okay, so we went to Black Sand Beach for a photo op, and on to Volcano. It never was crystal clear if "Volcano" is an actual city, a district, or just a short way of referring to the national park where you go to see Kilauea Crater.

I'll post more photos and blab in the days to come.