As the sun rose on our fifth day of our adventures on the Big Island, we were greeted by a stunning scene of Mauna Kea rising above Hilo Bay. For the first time on our trip, we were greeted by a proper sunrise and clear skies, which allowed us to admire where we were headed later in the day.
But first, we had a relaxing morning to enjoy, beginning with a snorkel expedition with classmates. With low tide our launch and landing was difficult, but we were able to enjoy high-visibility and beautiful coral reefs.
Then it was time to visit the jewel of town on a Saturday, the Hilo Farmer’s Market. With fresh fruits, vibrant art, and handmade jewelry, the class was able to experience authentic Hawai’i. I was able to snag a few gifts for family and friends, including earrings for mother’s day and eat at a local food hotspot: L&L.
Finally, it was time to travel up Saddle Road to 6,000 feet in elevation and visit Pu’u Huluhulu. As we began our ascent, we were blanketed in a colossal rain-storm—which the van struggled to get through. As soon as we reached 6,000 feet, the rain passed and we entered a picturesque landscape with sweeping views of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa.
We began by visiting Pu’u Huluhulu, or hairy hill. Pu’u Huluhuluis a 210 foot tall 400-year-old forested cinder cone right across from the Mauna Kea turn off of Saddle Road. Pu’u Huluhulu is also an important ecological forest for native plants and birds and a sacred Hawaiian site.
After leaving Pu’u Huluhulu, we briefly stopped at the Mauna Kea State Recreation Area for a bathroom break, we decided we would take advantage of the beautiful weather and climb Mauna Loa. The December 2022 eruption of Mauna Loa caused for over one mile of the Mauna Loa access road. The average depth of lava over the road is ~30 feet throughout the flows which begin at 9000 feet in elevation.