Monthly Archives: November 2020

Hawaii – Kona Day 4

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We started off the day getting brunch at a place in town (Holualoa) called Island Lava Java. The view while eating is absolutely amazing. Here are the details:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2020/11/21/island-lava-java/

Right after, we stopped by the coffee place right beside it called Kona Haven. The cafe also has a great view, where you could do work from it:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2020/11/21/kona-haven/

We then headed north to Waipio Valley. We took the Jeep for its first off road adventure, where we hit some mud puddles along the way as we descended to the valley. Definitely fun, but bumpy.

When we got to the bottom of the valley, we also had to cross a river (basically the water was at my neck with a pretty strong current) to get to the beach we wanted to chill at. The sand at the beach was super black (from the volcano). Although it was raining (lightly) half the time, the water was warm.

After the valley, we headed back to our place for a rager, where most of the other house came (although unfortunately we got a noise complaint by the caretaker early at 9pm). We ordered sushi from Kona Coco, which had a good deal on rolls (but the quality was just average).

Hawaii – Kona Day 3

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We spent the whole day at Kohanaiki (Pine Trees) beach. Tried surfing for the first time, watched the sunset, drank and had a bbq (note though this beach does have a lot of sea urchins).

After the beach (which is required to close at 7pm), we checked out Costco and bought a good amount of food and liquor (note their whisky selection is pretty limited).

Hawaii – Kona Day 2

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Spent most of the day going to the Volcano part of the island (central east), which is a 2 hour drive away. We went with Dersu and Elsa (Dersu had been there before).

From that drive, had some really cool views of the island (as the highway is basically along the coast), from different trees to rocks and soil that was former lava.

When we got to the Volcano (Kaluapele Kilaeua Caldera), we first stopped by the steam vents, and then went to the Kilaeua Overlook (a 1.6 mile hike). We then went to the Thurston lava tube (the Kilauea Ili trail), which had an awesome crater made from lava (and following the trail was marked by these stacked stones). This took us all the way until sunset.

After getting back we had taco Tuesday at Janie’s place.

http://travel.johnmatienzo.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/img_6701.mov

Hawaii – Kona Day 1

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Flew out of SFO at 11am, which was a different experience from flights before since everyone was wearing masks, and no alcohol was being served on the plane. Landed in Kona at 2:30pm, where they scanned the QR code from travel.Hawaii.gov that had my negative COVID test results. Interestingly enough I didn’t have to get a second rapid test at Kona, since apparently only 25% of people since Nov 6 we’re getting the second test.

After getting off the plane and getting our Jeep Wrangler (Sahara) from Hertz (prepaying was definitely a cheaper option), we headed off to our AirBnb near Magic sand beach, then did a pit stop in Safeway for some supplies. We then met up with other friends in Kona in the main part of town (Holualoa)at a restaurant called The Fish Hopper and Seafood Steaks. Here’s more info on the restaurant:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2020/11/19/the-fish-hopper-seafood-and-steaks/

http://travel.johnmatienzo.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/img_6653.mov