Big Island 2025 Day 2

Saturday January 4th 2025

On The Road To Volcanoes National Park

Kailua-Kona -> Volcano

After a quick stop for coffee, the two hour car ride to volcanoes national park on the other side of the island began around 5:45am. Volcanic rocks make up the majority of the landscape on the western side of the big island. The eastern side of the island, a much more wet and cold temperate, greets you with greenery.

Kilauea Iki Trail

• https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/hawaii/hawaii/kilauea-iki-trail-and-crater-rim-trail

• 3.2 mile loop around Kilauea Iki Crater

The crisp early morning allowed for other worldly fog inside the crater that was viewable from the top and start of the trail. The trail starts around the top ridge of Kilauea, then descends downward where you close up the loop by walking through the diameter of the crater.

Thurston Lava Tube

Kilauea Iki crater with the fog cleared out later in the day. You can see the trail that we walked across earlier.

Kilauea Visitor Center

Steam Vents

Kilauea Eruption

Kilauea’s most recent eruption began a week before we arrived around Christmas.

Nene (Hawaiian Goose)

Hawaii’s state bird. Endemic to the Hawaii island. Only found in the wild on Oahu, Maui, Kaua’i, Molokai, and Hawai’i.

Punalu’u Black Sand Beach

Mauna Kea

Big Island 2025 Day 1

HICO Hawaiiian Coffee

Ali’i Drive

Hapuna Beach

Merriman’s

Oahu December 2024

Saturday December 28 - Thursday January 2

Bishop Museum

Pu’u Pia Trail

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/hawaii/oahu/puu-pia-trail

• 2 mile out and back

Miscellaneous Food and Views

Mt. Rainier 2024

A day at Mt Rainier during our Seattle Trip.

Comet Falls Trail

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/comet-falls-via-van-trump-trail

3.5mi 1,286 ft elevation out & back

Snow Lake Trail

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/bench-and-snow-lakes-trail

2.2mi 456 ft elevation out & back

Seattle 2024

Thursday July 4th - Monday July 8th 2024

T-Mobile Park

Caught a Mariners game on July 4th

Starbucks Reserve

July 4th Fireworks

Amazon hosts an annual fireworks show in the river/lake at Gas Works Park. We had planned to picnic at the park to watch the show, but unfortunately so did half of Seattle. The park was overflowing with people, so we took to the surrounding streets.

Leavenworth

A Bavarian town a few hours from Seattle. In the winter, this place is snowed over, turning this hot summer city into a winter wonderland destination.

Deep Dive

A cozy cocktail bar with an extensive menu of specialty drinks hidden under the Amazon Spheres.

Chan Seattle

Danbo Ramen

Inside Passage

Tiki/Underwater themed bar

Funko HQ

Nana’s Green Tea

Space Needle

Chihuly Glass Museum

The Gorge Amphitheater

A one of a kind concert venue with stunning natural views. We caught Odesza’s finale show for their latest tour.

Oahu June 2024

Saturday June 1 2024 - Saturday June 8 2024

Monkeypod Kitchen - Waikiki

The first dinner of the trip was had at the beautiful Monkeypod. The restaurant sits adjacent to the Waikiki beach inside the Outrigger hotel. The menu was primarily American cuisine with Asian/island influences. Standouts were the gyoza with hot mustard dipping sauce, the Mai-Tai with lilikoi foam, and the steak with wasabi mashed potatoes. The meal was an excellent start to the trip.

Aoki Teppanyaki

Owned by world-famous DJ Steve Aoki and his family, Aoki Teppanyaki is Steve’s take, rebrand, and celebration of his father’s restaurant Benihana.

Don Quijote

This market’s brand and mascot is themed around a penguin-like character. The market sells everything you could think of, from toys, groceries, home goods, and more.

Kiki

Delicious lunch spot in Waikiki specializing in fried-to-order tempura served with rice and sides. A unique dining experience as parts of your order are brought out in different times based on when they are finished frying, maximizing crunchiness.

Kona Coffee

Koko Crater Hike

A humbling hike straight up 1,000+ stairs. After an hour of hiking up high elevation with many, many breaks, you’re rewarded with stunning 360 views of the island.

Nu’uanu Pali Lookout

A windy, historical site

Adela’s Country Eatery

A small hole in the wall that has gained notoriety with over 1,000 yelp reviews boasting the great food and friendly service. We called our order ahead of time, and it still took about 45 minutes. The restaurant has unique pastas and desserts.

Ono Seafood

One of the top Poke spots on Oahu, especially after a long hike up Koko head.

Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve

One of the more unique and memorable activities on this trip was snorkeling at the beautiful Hanauma Bay. This beach is picturesque, with a long history that visitors are educated on in the mandatory short video and talk. There is active efforts in preserving the bay and it’s marine life and coral reefs. Reservations are only available 2 days prior, often selling out within minutes.

The Crouching Lion

Pit stop on the way to North Shore

Waiahole Poi Factory

Lanikai Juice

Acai bowls

Kona Brewing

Jenny’s Shrimp

Often mentioned alongside Giovanni’s as people’s choice for top Shrimp trucks on the island. The verdict was that Giovanni’s shrimp topped Jenny’s, with it’s more garlicy and flavorful shrimp.

Rainbow Drive-in

Off The Hook

Poke spot in Manoa. Ranks equal to Ono Seafood for me.

Paalaa Kai Bakery

Known for their snowpuffs, a flakey dessert akin to an eclair-croissant hybrid.

Haleiwa Bowls

Excellent, vibrant acai bowls in North Shore.