Chris and I have friends in high places, literally. Cal and Stacey own Paradise Helicopters. When the phone rang one Friday night with the news of a last minute cancellation on their delux tour, you can bet we were ready to make ourselves available for an early morning tour of the island.
We left from Kona and flew between the largest mountains in the world (in volume from sea floor to summit) Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, then over to Kilauea where lava is flowing. We saw steampouring out of Halema`uma`u and Pu`u `o`o vents that's creating Kona's vog. We could also see lava breakouts on the surface. One of these flows destroyed one of the last remaining Hawaiian Gardens homes the next day.
We also flew over Hilo and into the amazing valleys along the Hamakua Coast, and landed in the incredible Honokane Nui Valley. I've always wanted to hike into all of these valleys, but the 2004 earthquake has destroyed the trail into many of them. I've now been in four of the seven valleys and I think Chris has a kayak trip in mind that will get us into the others.
Next, we checked out the crystal blue waters of the Kohala Coast with its resorts and white sand beaches. We also flew over triathletes competing in the Ironman.
What a day! I am reminded that we're blessed to live in such a beautiful place and to have many amazing friends. God is surely blessing us.
The incredible and remote Honokane Nui Valley:
Steam pouring from Pu`u `o`o Vent. So that's where all this vog is coming from!
The best helicopter tour company ever. Paradise Helicopters
Hamakua:
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