Hilo

We visited Volcanoes National Park twice, going in the lava tube, visiting the Jagger Museum and the children earned their junior ranger badges in a very solemn ceremony.

We went to the Kapalani Gardens lava viewing area three times, and were turned away three times.  In the words of the song, you can’t always get what you want.

We went to the Pacific Tsunami museum, which was very informative and we all now know what to do if the sirens wail.  Which they do.

We watched a hula chanting and dancing rehearsal.  They played gourds, stamped their feet, spat and imitated lava with their hand movements.  It was interesting and informative and they were very friendly.

We ate lunch at the Hilo Farmers’ Market.  And very nice it was too.  The accompanying live country music added a certain something to the teryaki meatballs.

We visited the Mauna Loa macadamia factory and watched some of the 350m nuts that are processed each year travel on conveyor belts, be sealed into packets and dipped in chocolate.  We then bought some nuts.

We went to the beach and ate Spongebob and Starbucks ice creams.