Hawaii, April 2025

We went to Hawaii in April 2025 so I could FINALLY complete my 50 State Half Marathon Challenge. And since Wil had never been to Hawaii we decided to add on some time on the Big Island, and had a great time. 

On our last day in Hawaii we drove out of the park and toward Hilo. We stopped at a big grocery store (which I'm told is now called "Tiny Tourism" -- visiting everyday places rather than big sites...), bought some Hawaiian goodies and our last poke. Mmmmm, poke. 

Then down to the water, where we parked up and walked around Liliuokalani Park and Gardens⁩.

We laughed because, in 2.5 days in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, seeing all the "don't feed the nene" signs, we didn't see ANY of them. But here they were, in this city park. 

Then we drove up and over the Saddle Road back to Kona. We had a LOT of time to kill, so we drove south of Kona along the coast and poked around a little town, got great coffee, and looked in an amazing vintage store that whas overwhelming because it was all SO GOOD. We took a break to clear our heads at Wai'aha Beach Park. Again, so glorious!

Still antsy -- and with more time to kill -- we turned back toward the airport and stopped at Old Kona Airport State Beach Park, which has still has the runway and a loooooooong beach. 

The park also had a sweet, looping "walking / jogging path" where people had set up little mini gardens. We walked around there until it was just TOO HOT. 

who doesn't love a "walking facility"??

Then, on a whim, we drove to Kaloko-Honokohau National Historic Park. It was peaceful and quiet, and a perfect spot to get in the water for the last time. As I stood up to my shins in the water I stopped -- because THERE WERE HONU ALL AROUND US!!!

Mr. Turtle is my FATHER

The pictures aren't great -- I didn't want to get any closer or drop my phone. But Wil had wanted to see sea turtles, so it was a thrill to see a bunch of them, by accident, on our last day. 

We gassed up the car, dropped it off at the airport, and went inside to wait. I love an open air departures terminal, and the sunset was amazing -- a great way to say farewell to Hawaii!

I "published" this post on the day we returned home from Hawaii, and have finally written up all the days. Here's the omnibus to keep them all together. 

We flew out on a Thursday, arriving in the late evening and just enjoying a drink on our balcony. 

On Friday we spent the looooong day at the Polynesian Cultural Center (and loved it!)

On Saturday morning we hiked the Diamond Head Trail and went to the race expo.  

On Saturday afternoon and early evening we went on a Honolulu cocktail crawl (that, admittedly, extended to the next day, post race.)

On Sunday we got up early to run the Hapalua Half Marathon and finish my 50 States Half Marathon Challenge!

On Monday we flew to Kona and spent a day or two kayaking, snorkeling, and seeing massive manta rays. 

On Wednesday we stopped at the Pu'uhonua o Honaunau, Punalu'u black sand beach, and stayed in an amazing yurt.

On Thursday we drove to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and drove the Chain of Craters Road. 

On Friday we hiked the Kilauea Iki Trail, visited Hilo, and watched the eruption.