The Big Island

On Feb. 4 we flew to the Big Island of Hawaii after having spent eight days on Oahu. We stayed where IKE stayed many years ago at the Kilauea Military Camp (KMC) located inside Kilauea National Vocanoes Park. Our old two bedroom cottage was quaint and cozy. It even had a wood burning fireplace. During our five-day stay, it rained often, but that did not dampen our spirits.
For a small fee, the military provided wonderful tours of the Island. Our first full day was spent circling the Big Island and learning the history from our knowledgeable and friendly guide. We stopped several places to experience the culture and history of the Island. One place was the Puuhonua National Historical Park. There we watched a native weaving a ceremonial cape, a green sea turtle resting on a lava rock, black sand, and several other things of interest. On up the Kona Coast, famous for it's delectable coffee, we saw some Watusi Longhorns and passed by the famous Parker Ranch. The latter once rivaled the world renown King Ranch in Texas in terms of production. Cattle ranching is still a major industry in Hawaii, but ranch land is gradually turning into golf courses. The state bird of Hawaii is the Nene pictured here. It is a member of the goose family and is an endangered species.