The Blackbird is about to drop its payload. (Photo by Ezra Zeitler)
We stopped at Kona Boys in Kealakekua which according to “the readers of West Hawaii Today is Kona’s original and award winning kayak shop” (Kona Boys) to load up on rental kayaks and snorkeling gear for the day’s activities. The workers shared with us their knowledge of Kealakekua Bay along with safety tips to protect ourselves and the aquatic life.
Figuring out how to safely fit three kayaks onto each van was a great team building exercise since the kayaks were of all different shapes on their bottom sides. Somehow, we managed to keep everything onboard.
Stop 3 Kealakekua Bay
Ezra overlooking the bay. (Photo by Doug Faulkner)
Loaded into the water with two people per kayak, we started our mile or so journey across the bay to a landing spot near Captain Cook’s monument. The waves and wind gently rocked the kayaks and it turned into an impromptu team building exercise to paddle in sync the kayaker in front. The cliff or “Pali” to the right of us is called the Pali-kapu_o-Keoua, it is a very steep 600’ pali and lava tubes were sighted. It is named after chief Keoua. Important chiefs and priest were buried inside some of the lava tubes for their final burial site. The chosen person(s) to find that spot did so before flinging themselves off the cliff there by taking the location of the burial site with them to their watery grave.
The poor little guy is all tuckered out. (Photo by Ezra Zeitler)
We all quickly discovered how much energy it takes to swim and kayak all afternoon. Jon found a comfortablel spot in the shade to catch a quick nap.
Sources: www.konaboys.com Banner photo by Ross Auna