Heading north

This morning, we opted to head to the northern end of the island.  The topography is quite varied up there, and our route was a giant loop so each mile looked different.

Our first stop was just south the deep-water port at Kawaihae, at Spencer Beach Park, and the Pu'ukohola Heiau above it, built by Kamehameha the Great.  This temple was one of the last sacred structures built in Hawaii (1790-91) before contact with western civilizations altered local culture.

Spencer Beach Park

Pu'ukohola Heiau, built to insure that Kamehameha would conquer all the Hawaiian islands

We followed the north Kohala coast up to Hawi and Kapa'au in the north, to find the old statue of Kamehameha the Great, built in 1880.

Then we followed the Kohala Mountain road to Waimea.  The temperature dropped as we climbed to over 3500 feet.  And the hills became quite green and lush looking pasture land.  Lots of cattle are raised around Waimea.

Looking southwest from the Kohala mountain road

We were able to get a clear view of the top of Mauna Kea, with several of the observatories visible above the snow.

Happy Valentine's Day!