North Kohala: Hawi & Pololu

We have just broken a record for a major snow fall but it quickly changed to rain and the snow is nearly gone. Not gone enough to ride, but enough to make it a non-issue for 4 wheeled vehicles (or Hacks).



The temperature change is amazing. A day ago it was -6C and today it went up to +8C with lows of +4C tonight. While it is still over 2 months to Spring we have not yet come to grip with Winter's wrath as most of our inclement weather occurs during February and March.

As I was looking out my window at the melting snow I was thinking about where we were last year at this time. If you can believe, this exact week last year January 2010 we were on vacation in Hawai'i and I remembered that I still have a post or two to complete our journey on our visit to North Kohala, the northern tip of the Big Island of Hawai'i



If you look at the maps you will find that it is only 51 miles from Kailua-Kona to Hawi but the speed limits are low and it takes over an hour, not counting stops. It is a leisurely drive with enjoyable scenery . It is windy on the northwestern slopes as evidenced by many windmill farms



while driving along I notice a house with something strange hanging on their porch, so naturally I have to stop



Soon we arrive in Hawi a small town with some facilities


(Hawi: main area with dustcatcher shops)

You can't imagine how hungry you get watching scenery and snapping photos so we had to stop for food and refreshments. We walked up and down the street wondering what to eat and then we found a small Mexican restaurant.


(Mi Ranchito, sounds good to me)

It is exactly as advertised. It is a kitchen and they have a few tables outside. Nothing fancy.



It is semi selfserve. You order through a window in the wall, pay and the girl brings it to your table. The kitchen is very compact (small) and prices are reasonable . I am a creature of habit and usually end up ordering the same thing everywhere we go


(most likely Enchiladas, chicken or beef)

It was very good and soon it was gone



We walked around a bit looking at T-shirts and other stuff we didn't need . It was 28c (82F) so I got the bright idea to have an ice cream dessert before we headed off


(Mango & Coconut scoops)

We only had 9 miles to go before the end of the road at Pololu



A couple of miles later we notice a sign



for King Kamehameha



I think he was a little envious of my Pink footwear

I think you would like it here if you were a horse



imagine grazing on the grass here with panoramic views of the cliffs and ocean . We manage another peek a boo view



We are nearing the end of the road where those cars are parked



I guess it depends which way you are facing. We think it is the end of the road, but if you turn around and head back you are at the beginning of the State Highway





Here you get a stunning view of the cliffs. It is about a mile hike down to the water level but the hike up would be a killer. Too strenuous for me, I'm afraid. Not unless Geoff sent me one of those magnetic bracelets.



I did consider it for a millisecond, but after looking at all the warning signs



I quickly decided to just stay on top and absorb the views like the other tourists. It was nice to just sit there for a while to contemplate our next move. I actually went down to the first bend in the trail, but it was very steep and my Crocs did not have the foundation required for this strenuous trail . I don't think there were many rocks so perhaps I should have just slipped them off.

We made a few more stops along the way back to Kailua-Kona



it was a relaxing day to explore the island



and we managed to catch a sunset on Hapuno Beach



Luckily I still have memories and photos because it was so long ago it seems like a dream that never happened and makes me think that it would be nice to go back there again, especially when it snows . . .