Day 9 - Anini Reef and the Kilauea Light House

Beautiful Anini Reef!  We went Reef Collecting here today.  We found some cool critters!  

After lunch (this is my view!), we went out to go snorkeling. There were some great Sea Turtles here. I cannot want to see them on my computer! I am waiting for my underwater camera to fully dry before I open it!

Afterwards, we went to the Kilauea Lighthouse.  This year, we were given an educational presentation.  Students were able to dissect a pellet from an Albatross to see what they would fine.  It is quite scary!  These are pellets from young birds.  Their parents brought this food back for them.  There was typical squid beaks, but there were also a lot of plastic debris that was found in these poor babies food. There was a LARGE amount of fishing line in their pellets. 

Day 8 - Activity Day!!!

Today was activity day!  It is such a nice break in the program.  Students get to choose their activity and recharge their battery.  I was on Beach duty!  This year, we went to Lidgate Park. It was very nice. The beach was nice and there was a little snorkeling area that was protected from the waves. My camera ran out of batteries, so I may go back there and snorkel again. 

Most of the students went to the Luau in the evening.  We found this great place to eat that was not very far away from the condo.  The burgers were really good, but BIG!

Day 7 - Flying to Kauai

We fly to Kauai...my favorite Island and place to stay. After we got settled, the instructors made our way to the Kilauea Fish market for some super yummy and fresh fish tacos!

Day 6 - Snorkeling and Volcanoes National Park

This is one of the most beautiful places that we visit in Hawaii.  This is a swimming/snorkeling area not to far from where we stay in Hilo.  

Group shot at the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Entrance. After this, students did a plant scavenger hunt.

Down an old road to check out some MORE plants...

Road separating cattle land from pristine rainforest. 

Back in time to eat at Ken's House of Pancakes.  A local favorite...and a place where the "Rock" goes to eat.  One day I will be eating in there when he is in there...I hope!  Very large and good taco salad!

Day 5 - Thurston Lava Tube, Lava Trees, Orchids, Mauna Kea Observatory

We stopped at a new place to see the Kilauea Flow. Apparently, you can hike down in there.  We did not, but we saw a couple of people down in there. 

Next, we head to the Thurston Lava Tube. There is first a nice walk through a rainforest. 

On down the road to the Lava Trees.  Here is another GPS/Elevation marker with some equipment above it. This was not here last year.  They have added this station.  I assume it is measuring trimmers in the ground. 

A very cool Lava Tree...and then I am hugging one.  

We went to the Akatsuka Orchid Gardens.  They have a new orchid maze and a quiz to tell you what kid of orchid you are.  Here are my results....and a orchid in my hair. 

Before heading up to Mauna Kea, we stop at Rainbow Falls.  I think is is one of the prettiest waterfalls. 

Mauna Kea Astronomy Visitors Center. BURRR!!!

The Mauna Kea Silver Sword.  There were a few that were in bloom.  This is the only place you will find these plants. 

Day 4 - Mauna Loa, Jaggar Museum, Chain of Craters Rd., Sea Arch, and the Smoking Trees

Up, up, up the mountain to see the Mauna Loa Silversword.  It was not in bloom, but it was nice to see one to compare to the other Silverswords seen on this trip. You can see Halemaumau crater in the background.

Back to the Jaggar Museum to go into the Museum during the day and see the Halemaumau Crater during the day./

Down the Chain of Craters Road to see....well, craters! Here is a big one.  You can only see ab out 1/2 way down in this picture. 

Prof. Dempsey is talking about the Metrosideros polymorpha.  He talks about this plant a lot...well, we see it a lot.  It is the #1 plant in Hawaii!

Students are checking out some pahoehoe lava and a'a lava.  A'a lava is the chunky lava.  Pahoehoe is the smooth looking lava.

We went down south the Sea Arch.  Along the way, we stop to look at some plants and some geology.  This is a marker that Dr. Millwood pointed out a few years ago.  It is a marker that scientists know the GPS of and the elevation of. 

Day 3 - Keauhou Bird Conservation Center and Volcano House Geology

Each year we come to the Keauhou Bird Conservation Center to learn about the amazing conservation efforts that they are ding to help some bird species.  We also give back through Service Learning. This year, we went back to an area that we went to in 2014 to plant some more trees.  It was really nice to go back and see the growth of the area with native trees. 

Here is one of my plants!  Dr. Kubicek and I planted about to together. Grow little tree!

Leaving the area where we planted the trees.  

Volcanoes House view of the Halemaumau Crater. 

Here is the "D Squad". Princess Page, Jammin' Janna, Dirty Durbin, Lizard like Lizzy, Paranormal Patrick, and Bodacious Brian...and the DD van (check out the licence plate).

Dinner at the Lava Rock Cafe.  Not too bad. 

Just about the tiniest salad you will ever see.  Check out the sugar packet for size comparison.  Beef stroganoff for dinner.