Hawaii (The Big Island) Part 3, 11/1

This was the second day we had the car on Hawaii, but we had to be back for the luau later, so we didn't stay out too long.  We started early and went looking for the monument to Captain Cook, who was killed on the Big Island.  Our bus driver on the first day here told us that the Hawaiians felt bad after they killed him, so they named a town after him.

The monument can be visited by a long, difficult trail or by boat.  We chose to take photos from across the bay.

Captain Cook Monument from across Kealakekua Bay

Shore along Kealakekua Bay

Our next stop was also the third National Park that we've been to here, Pu'uhonua O Honaunau.  I'm not typing that again, so here are some pics:

Lastly, we visited the southernmost point in the United States, called (appropriately) South Point.

A view if the point from the highway.

Wind turbines along the way.  The wind was very strong here, enough to have the trees grow bent to the wind.

Cliff view at Southpoint. Diving was forbidden, but for some reason there were platforms there to make it convenient if you wanted to.  This was taken from one--scary--but anything for the blog.

After re-visiting the black sand beach and bakery from the first day on the island, we headed back to return the car at the hotel in time for the luau.  The lighting didn't lend itself to many pictures.  It was quite a show with dances examples from many Polynesian islands--not just Hawaii.  I'm not sure how authentic it was, but the performances were good and they worked hard.

The food was good too.  I had the pork (of course) and turkey as well.  Also tried poi, which must be an acquired taste.

This is right outside the hotel.  I didn't give it much thought at first--thinking it was just a prop--but I later found out that this was where King Kamehameha I "retired" and eventually passed away.  So we've seen both his birthplace and final resting place here.

This was the "royal procession" before the luau began.

Tomorrow we say Aloha to Hawaii and we leave for home from Kona International Airport.

Did you know:  Mark Twain spent four months in Hawaii in 1866 as a reporter for the Sacremento Union.