Hawaii (Part 2: Big Island)

December 26, 2022 - January 3, 2023

Jump to:

• Hilo side and the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel
• Rainbow Falls, Kilauea, and Lava Tubes
• Visiting Scientist Quarters (VSQ)
• Mauna Kea Beach Hotel
• Pololu Valley
• Drive up Mauna Kea: Saddle Road and Hale Pohaku

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Hilo side and the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel

Hilo Hawaiian Hotel at night.

Views on the Hilo side, towards Mauna Loa.

Hilo Hawaiian Hotel during the day.

Statue of King Kamehameha, who united the Hawaiian islands.

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Rainbow Falls, Kilauea, and Lava Tubes

Rainbow Falls.

Views of the crater atop the Kilauea summit, with Mauna Loa to the right.

Trail towards the crater on Kilauea.

Going through the Thurston Lava tube!

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Visiting Scientist Quarters (VSQ)

Entrance to the VSQ.

VSQ rooms for observers.

View of Mauna Kea from my VSQ room (the telescopes on the summit are visible via binoculars).

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Mauna Kea Beach Hotel

Front entrance to the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel.

A glimpse of the beach behind the resort.

Walkway to the beach/resort.

A perfect beach!

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Pololu Valley

View of Pololu Valley at the top of the hike.

Views along the hike down to the Pololu Valley.

Views at the bottom and beach of Pololu Valley.

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Drive up Mauna Kea: volcanic terrain along Saddle Road and Hale Pohaku

Lava formations along Saddle Road.

View towards Mauna Loa.

View downwards at the visitor center on Mauna Kea, at 9200ft (Hale Pohaku).

Views along a hike at Hale Pohaku.