By: Marcia Abramson
The temperatures averaged in the high 70s, but warmer at the beach at Waikiki and decidedly cooler at the higher elevations.I did pack a sweater but found a heavy wool blanket necessary when I went off in a horse-drawn covered wagon to explore the Parker Ranch in the town of Waimea. Waimea was a company town and is the home of the Parker Ranch. John Palmer Parker was a seaman from Massachusetts who landed in Hawaii in the middle of the 19th century. He fell in love with the granddaughter of King Kamehameha. The king approved of their marriage and bestowed a dowry of 640 acres of choice land to the newlyweds. Parker started the ranch with that acreage, and acquired additional land. Today, the property covers more than 225,000 acres and is one of the largest cattle ranches under single-ownership in the United States. I found my tour of the historical homes, circa 1860 at the Parker Ranch very interesting. Observing the colorfully clad Pantolos (Hawaiian cowboys) at the ranch was a treat and worth my only chill in Hawaii. Some areas of the west coast of Hawaii's Big Island (known as the "Kona Side") are dry and sunny with landscapes of raw, black lava rock. The black lava rock seemed incongruous to me for this tropical island where I also found some beautiful white sand beaches. The Big Island also has a snow-capped mountain, with an elevation of 13,796 feet at the summit of Mauna Kea. I tried to see as many of the historical attractions of ancient trails and petroglyphs as possible during my too brief two weeks in this tropical heaven on earth. The month of November also has a week-long coffee festival honoring the famous gourmet Kono coffee pioneers. I suggest that you don't leave Hawaii without a few pounds of Kono coffee and an outrigger boat ride at one of the lovely beaches on the Kono Coast. Captain Cook and Captain Bligh are both reported to have stopped here in the late 18th century. It seems that Captain Cook was not a favorite with the local Hawaiians. The East Coast of the Big Island is known as the "Hilo Side." It is wetter than the "Kona Side." The rains at Hilo fall mostly during the night and early morning hours. This rainfall is responsible for the rich greenery here. There is nothing like the beauty of the tropical valleys, gulches and waterfall on this side of the island. The East Coast also houses the island capital of Hilo. Hilo is far from being a sleepy coastal town. It is a place of contrasts with historic buildings and a heritage of past plantation days, a major port and college town. I checked out the galleries in the Historic Downtown and the Farmer's Market on Wednesday. The market is also held on Saturdays. Local historians pointed out to me that the beautiful large Banyan trees lining Hilo Bay were planted by Babe Ruth and Amelia Earhart when they stopped in the resort district. There is the Lyman Museum & Mission House, a restored former missionary residence that was built in 1839. This is purported to be the oldest frame building in Hilo and includes a large collection of artifacts from the many ethnic groups who emigrated to Hawaii. Other places of interest in Hilo is the pristine 30-acre Japanese style Gardens dedicated to Hawaii's last queen. Hula lessons are offered at the famous Polynesian "luaus." Additionally, Hilo is the home of the annual Merrie Monarch Hula Festival each spring for a full week. It is the state's largest celebration of the ancient dance with a festival of cultural events, including a crafts fair, free hula exhibition and a glorious parade of grass skirt hula dancers. Hilo is also the jumping off point for a visit to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.For dedicated volcano enthusiasts there is nothing like exploring the lava fields, hiking around cinder cones and sending home postcards with the Volcano postmark. The Big Island is also known as the Orchid Island. I can't think of anything better in cold December than sending home those beautiful orchids to brighten your wintry days and nights. I am not a member of Hawaii's Big Island Tourism Committee, but I don't believe that I can describe the experience of seeing the soaring waterfalls, mighty mountain peaks, myriad beaches, tropical rain forests, molten lava streams and all the magnificent images of the Big Island. You will have to experience it for yourself on a future holiday.
Copyright © by Marcia AbramsonE-mail: mascribe@aol.com
