Bird's Eye View

Sarah called last night to see if I would go on the best and most expensive helicopter tour on the island- FOR FREE- that was a no brainer! I am convinced we live on the most beautiful island in the world. We lifted off from the Kona Airport at 10:30 this morning, the first thing I noticed is the how much progress they've made on the construction at Kohanaiki. UGH! It makes me sick...more about that at another time. Next we flew past Hualalai (the mountain I live on) crossed the saddle then flew near the summit of Mauna Loa (the tallest mountain in the world if measured from the ocean floor to the summit) and down the mountain toward Kilauea (the world's most active volcano). We first circled Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and got a good look at Halemaumau Crater. Then we flew along Chain of Craters Road and toward Pu`u O`o Vent where the current erruption is- but it was socked in with clouds. Then we headed makai to check out the steam plume from lava entering the ocean. Lava is traveling through underground tubes froom Pu`u O`o to the ocean, so we didn't see any red lava on the surface, but the contrast of the white steam, black rocks and blue water was magnificent enough. We explored Kalapana where the 1984 and '86 lava flows destroyed the town. It was weird to see roads and houses still standing, yet completly blocked in by vast lava fields. Then we headed to Hilo, saw a cruise ship in the bay, then down the Hamakua Coast. My favorite part of the trip was next- entering Waimanu Valley. I don't even know how many waterfalls we saw there, and we flew low through the narrow valley and over cliffs. We headed west a bit and the helicopter landed on on a small flat spot between the cliffs and the ocean (the spot was somewhere between Waimanu and Pololu Valley). We got out of the chopper and explored, stood in, swam in two waterfalls and pools. They served lunch but I was having too much fun to waste time eating. Then we lifted off, saw Pololu Valley, Hamakua, then admired the beaches of the Kohala and North Kona Coast (Where we spotted a couple Humpback Whales)

I took a billion photos, and have posted a few of my favorites. 1. Sarah and I by the helicopter at our pit stop by the waterfalls. 2. The cliffs and waterfalls of the Hamakua Coast. 3. Steam Plume where lava is entering the ocean 4. A Cindercone in North Kohala covered in vegetation 5. Makalawena Beach (my favorite beach)

Lucky we live Hawaii! Words can't describe the beauty of this island, or the God who made it. This was my first helicopter ride, they're expensive but worth it. The Folks at Paradise Helicopters did a superb job of showing us the island. They were knowledgeable and full of Aloha. It was an awesome time- one I'll always remember.