Melissa, Andy and the kids' Blog

January 27th we went back to Hapuna beach. As the kids splashed and "surfed," Melissa mentioned her regret that we didn't go whale watching.  Then a whale started jumping out in the distance.  It splashed 4-5 times. Perfect timing.  Getting messy.  Catching a big wave.  Digging holes.  Having an awesome older cousin.  We spent our usual 3-4 hours at the beach that day. Then we headed home to start cleaning and packing to leave the next day.  January 28th the Frey's flew out about noon.  So we all packed leisurely in the morning and said our goodbyes.  After checking out of the AirBNB we went to the park near the house and played for an hour, then we went to explore.  We finally found Huli Huli chicken. Randy's Huli Chicken in Kealakekua was worth the wait (a week on the island, not a long line).  Chicken, pork ribs, brisket, rice, and pasta salad.  The chicken was so juicy, savory, smoky, and tender.  Everyone loved i...

The morning of the 25th we drove across the island to Volcano, HI to see the volcano. We saw lots of steam vents, smelled sulfur and had a 1.5 mile hike. Nobody saw any lava. It was technically flowing, restarted that morning, just nowhere near us.  Nice photo across the crater.  Freys We walked through the lava tube.  Made it out the other side! Then we hit the beach, Punalu'u Beach to be exact.  This was the turtle beach.  I think there were a total of 6 here. Blackest of sand, it just filled up our beach shoes.  We ended up still dumping this sand, more of pebbles, even after we got home to Blanding. (When we first got here, Trisha was crying. Come to find out that Melissa's mom had texted that Melissa and Trisha's step-nephew, Mr. Anthony, had committed suicide. He is Ami's son.  We did not know him well, but we mourn for their family.) Cool trees around.  Lili loved it.  She climbed all over the beach and lava rock.  This was the fi...

Melissa and I kept asking, "Where is the history and culture?" Well we found some of it at Pu'uhonua o Honaunau, a National Historic Park.  It was mostly outdoors, but because it was federal land we all wore masks.  It was a fun morning looking around the park.  "The ocean is calling me and I must answer" Appreciating the view for a moment.  The kids learning the ancient black shells vs white shells checkers game, I can't remember the real name.  Oh yeah, Melissa and I went together. The kids watching a traditional wood worker carving tiki.  He said they aren't meant to represent any individual person, but allow us to envision the powers of creation themselves.  It was neat to see him work, and I was very proud of the kids.  Nobody asked why he was "naked" or "wearing a diaper." Some of the older tiki statues.  Enjoying a moment of peace... Hi Mya! An intrepid explorer demonstrating his discoveries.    After finishing in the histori...