Volcano Park - Youth Edition

This weekend we signed up for a spot on one of the fifteen passenger Mission Builders vans  for another "field trip".  It was great to leave the driving to someone else, and settle into the first row of bench seats. We retraced some of the same road we`d travelled on before, but approached the Volcano Park from a different angle, crossing the Island on the Saddle Road between Mauna Kea, and Mauna Loa, two other volcanoes.
First stop--Hilo, on the east coast, the wettest area of Hawaii Island. 

The Bayfront park used to be the main Japanese district

This area was hit by a tsunami some years ago

"We're going to stop at a cafe to have a famous local specialty," we were told.

It was called  LOCO MOCO.  The traditional version consisted of a hamburger patty on white rice with a fried egg on top.  Opting for the fish version, I was pleasantly surprised to be given, not only the choice of fish, but also a choice of white or brown rice.  As a fast food, it turned out to be relatively healthy, as well as delicious, not to mention cheap.  I had grilled mahi-mahi.
Next stop: the Volcano park again.  The sign by the big crater said, "Air quality is poor today", and the doors to the museum were closed instead of being wide open.

 As well, this big sign warned against getting too close to any cracks or holes in the ground.  This time we looked around the museum.  This is Pele, the goddess of the volcano. 

This is called Pele's hair, spun lava that actually looks like real hair.

One of the young people got us to pose walking down the path together. A beautiful path, with a intertwined canopy overhead and lush fern growth everywhere.

Fiddlehead

Lehua blossom of the 'Ohi'a tree

The young people could hardly wait to get to South Point, the most southerly point in the United States.  They weren't interested in this geographical fact, but in the FUN factor.  Or was it the FEAR factor?

 They wanted to jump off the 30 foot cliff into the sea from this platform, which is really a boat hoist.  Alas, the water wasn't calm, and the leader wouldn't let them.  When the sea is rough, there are strong undercurrents.  We were horrified and fascinated by the sight of this local guy diving into a blow hole.  He had to time it just right, and ended up at the base of the cliff.

Our trip ended with the sighting of several humpback whales surfacing.  A peaceful and pleasant day.