kīpuka
drive from the Hilo airport, the unique resort feels wonderfully frozen in a much simpler time. Partially due to the solitude of the place and partially because of the pristine nature of the isolated property. The six-acres site is blanketed in black volcanic cinder and is a veritable sanctuary, with over 5,000 palms representing over 350 different species, planted by the late palm guru, Pauleen Sullivan. Five unique, Polynesian-style bamboo
guest houses dot the property. Mine was a 600-plus square foot beauty, featuring a full kitchen and bath, dining and living areas with a lofted bedroom that made me feel like I was the coolest kid with the best room in the world. The wrap-around lanai, complete with hammock, was the perfect place for a languid afternoon, with a good book and a glass of wine. The affable owner, Mark Frost, took me on a tour of the property, explaining that it is almost entirely off grid, with a system for capturing the copious rain water for all their needs and solar panels collect all the electricity necessary for typical daily needs. Onsite is a beautiful salt-water pool surrounded by bamboo palapas, with a gazebo, cooking supplies and a traditional Hawaiian longhouse for events. It really was two days of complete bliss; I highly recommend a stay there. My first full day, I was set up to achieve one of my bucket list activities, something I’ve
wanted to try for years…Ziplining. A surpris- ingly unfearful experience, because the team atKapohoKine Adventures were very about explaining what to expect during the process and how to stay safe. With nearly two miles of gorgeous, tropical river gorges, featuring some of the most amazing waterfalls dotting the 8-line zip course, it was beyond beautiful. The rush you get while doing it is an added bonus—as was the lunch they served—at the base of one of those gorgeous waterfalls. The next leg of the journey, also with KapohoKine Adventures was theirLava Expedition, which takes you across one of the most active lava flows on the island. As they say, “It’s not for the faint of heart” and that is for a couple reasons: One, it’s a ten-mile hike over some pretty rough territory, the second half of which is after dark (necessary if you want to see the eerie orange glow of the lava flows). An experience that’s akin to landing on an alien planet, with miles and miles of barren black lava, undulating rivers eerily frozen in situ, with the heat of the out-of-sight, scorching flows below, unnervingly rising through the soles of your shoes. Once-in-a-lifetime experience. The next locale for my journey, had me checking in for two days at the beautiful Courtyard Marriot King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel, located on the western
side of the island in Kailua-Kona. It’s a lovely spot, situated on the historical site where King Kamehameha, the famed King of the Hawaiian Islands, once lived. My posh room overlooked the replica of the king’s home situated on one of Kona’s pristine white sand beaches, just beyond the lanai ofHonu’s on the Beach, the hotel’s restaurant. (For you history buffs, there’s an exhibit on Hawaiian culture and royalty at the hotel.) It was a view whose beauty I came to appreciate even more as I dined at Honu’s that evening, feasting on their signature dish: Charred Beef Tenderloin Tataki, with sautéed baby spinach, mushroom bacon, gorgonzola, smashed potatoes and a green peppercorn glaze. A little food, a little wine and some great live music, it was a perfect end to a long day. An adventure at sea beckoned, so the next
day I set sail (okay, it was a powerboat) on one ofSea Quest Adventure’s Snorkeling Tours. The captain, JC Turner and first mate Jess Tolzmann regaled us with stories detailing the rich cultural and geological history of the Island as they led us through two of South Kona’s most precious treasures: Pu’uhonua O Honaunau and Kealakekua Bay. Frolicking dolphins road our bow waves, escorting us to hours of snorkeling, offering picturesque sea caves and coral reefs, endless, colorful fish and a couple all-to- snake-like-for-me, toothy eels, lurking in their
NOVEMBER 2016 | RAGE monthly 35
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64