Day 10 - Anini Reef and Kilauea Lighthouse

One of my favorite days on the trip. Reef critter collection at Anini Reef, Snorkeling (where we saw a sea turtle and my underwater camera died), and Birds at the Kilauea Lighthouse!

Anini Reef... A view from lunch. 

Kilauea Lighthouse...where we saw a Hawaiian Monk Seal. They are critically endangered.  

 

And a quick stop at Banana Joe's for a pineapple ice cream. 

Day 9 - Activity Day

This is the day that we let the students chose their activities. Some went kayaking to a secret waterfall, some went to the beach, some hiked Sleeping Giant, and some went to a Luau.

I was the shuttle, but I got some time in this beautiful beach. 

For dinner, we went to a place called Tiki Man Pizza. Pretty good pizza, live music, and nice ambiance. 

Day 8 - On to Kauai!

To Kauai!  I am very excited to be in Kauai.  I love the vibe and I definitely love the condo that we stay in.  Very nice and homey.  We got to Plantation Hale and got in our rooms, had lunch, and did some grocery store runs.

Students took a Hawaiian National History Test today.

Early-ish to bed.  Sleep in a bit tomorrow!!!!!

Day 7 - Lava Trees, Lava Tube, Rainforest, Orchids, and Mauna Kea

Back into Volcanoes National Park to check out the Thurston Lava Tube. There is a pretty forest walk down to the tube.  From what I can understand, the lava around the tube cooled, hardened, and the lava underneath was still flowing and flowed out = lava tube. 

Turn your head to the side.  It should say 2015 - HFS!

We went on the Lava Tree Hike.  I hugged a Lava Tree.  Students had a seat on the lava to learn a little about Pioneer Species in an area like where lava flowed.

The Halemaumau Crater.  You could see the black area where the crater filled up recently.  Unfortunately, we did not get to see that. 

We stopped at a forest where we had a moment of silence and reflection.  It is so peaceful in the middle of the rainforest.  You can hear the wind blowing, the rain dropping, and the birds chirping.  Unfortunately, right next to it is a cattle farm.  

Coming down the mountain, we stopped at the Orchid place.  They have so many orchids.  Beautiful!

Up tp Mauna Kea.  Here we are above the cloud line.  Once night fell, the stars were amazing. You loose the constellations there are so many stars. 

The Silversword was in full bloom.  There were quite a few blooms.  Quite pretty. 

Apparenlty, the observatory is talking about building another telescope atop the mountain. This is Hawaiian Sacred Ground.  There were protesters up there.  Very peaceful.

Day 6 - Tide pool collecting/Snorkeling, Akaka Falls, and VNP

This morning, we went to a new place to snorkel and do some tide pool collecting.  It was a beautiful place! There was a freshwater source coming in so there were not as many tide pool critters, but we still saw a brittle star, flatworm, cowrie, and many other critters.  The freshwater intrusion created a strange oily film on the water that made it hard to see some times.  But, an absolutely beautiful paradise. 

We went back to Uncle Billy's to shower and change.  Next stop, Akaka falls. 

Back up into Volcanoes National Park to check out some craters.

Oh no... I'm falling in...JK.  Just some fun with the fault line. The Silversword was blooming. Matthew 

Look closely...there is a rainbow. We went to see smoking trees. 

Ken's House of Pancakes.  These two got the SUMO Burger.  Oh my!  I felt like I was on Man VS Food!

Day 5 - Volcanoes National Park - Plants, Lava and a Sea Arch

Into the park we go...again.  We stopped at the sign to get our picture and then to have a plant scavenger hunt.

  

We walked to the Volcano House to look at the overlook, but it was quite cloudy. We came back in, shopped a bit at the gift store, and then went to the visitor's center to watch the into video. 

After lunch, we headed on down the mountain, but first we must stop to check out the lava, plants, and take some pictures. A'a lava (darker) on the left and Pahoehoe Lava on the right. 

Down to the Sea Arch.  We walked down to where the lava came across the road...and we walked and walked and walked...oh, well, they have cut a path through that lava and there is no longer a "road closed" sign there.  But we had a nice walk! 

Day 4 - Keauhou Bird Conservation Center and Volcanoes National Park(Sulfur Banks and the Jagger Museum)

Is there a place where you feel so connected to the earth that you just want to stay?  This is the place that makes me rethink my career choice every time we come up here.  The land is so rich in history and science and promise of a better tomorrow that I think that I want to stay...then reality hits! My hope is always that the students take away that the land is not ours. We are just a part of this great world and we have to do what we can to make sure that future generations get to see these lovely forests and I hope that there will be so many birds and native wildlife here that they will wonder what the fuss was all about.

HFS 2013 Planted Seedlings

After 2 years of growth

After a hard morning of planting.

After lunch, we got to visit the Bird Conservation Center.  We leaned about the wonderful work that they were doing to try to reintroduce some of the native birds including the Hawaiian Crow.

After sadly leaving, we headed into the Volcanoes National Park for some exploration before heading to the Jagger Museum to see the glow of the lava in the crater.

Crater during the day....

Some Botany...

Halema'uma'u Crater at night.  The crater seems larger and deeper that in years past.  A few months ago, the crater filled up with lava and some spilled over.  Maybe next year!

Day 3 - To The Big Island of Hawaii and the Imiloa Astronomy Center

I'm sure there are many fabulous things about Oahu, but I do love the other islands better. There is more nature and less people!!

After we landed, we went to Uncle Billy's and dropped off our luggage. Next stop pizza then the Imiloa Astronomy Center. Here we learned about canoe plants and Polynesian culture and history. 

Kubicek, Kate and I left the group while they were watching the film to see if a local photography exhibit was worth seeing. They were closed due to sickness. We spoke to a man outside for a few min. He said that he was a former guidance counselor and teacher. He said that had been the one to encourage President Obama to go to an Ivy League School. Interesting!!

Back to the Imiloa center. 

They have the three varieties of Metrosideros polymorpha here. The most common red flower, but also the yellow and orange variety. 

We ended the day at Ken's House of Pancakes. Yummy!

My humongous taco salad. Yummy but could not eat it all!!