We maximized our time in Hilo Bay over the past month, finding refuge from the Pacific swells. Despite the intermittent rain, we remained productive, tackling various tasks such as painting, fibreglassing, and making some necessary repairs to the boat. With our cockpit roof now freshly fibreglassed and painted, we are able to take full advantage of our water catchment system. Hilo has shown to be an excellent location for collecting rainwater, allowing us to fill our tanks without the hassle of transporting jerrycans to and from shore in the dinghy. We have a few more projects in mind before heading north in May, but for now, we will take some time to enjoy being tourists and spend time with Cash & Logan. 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hilo_Bay

I made a brief visit to Honolulu to meet Logan and Cash at the airport before we set off to Hilo together. I spent the day touring downtown while waiting for Logan and Cash to arrive from Vancouver. The following morning with some time on our hands before the flight to Hilo, we jumped on the bus for a short but impactful tour of Pearl Harbor. This historic landmark offered us a valuable insight into American history, and we were fortunate to tour the USS Bowfin submarine, which vividly illustrated the realities of life on a World War II submarine.

https://www.history.com/articles/pearl-harbor

We truly enjoyed our time delving into the Tsunami Museum downtown Hilo where we gained a profound understanding of the historical significance and powerful influence of tsunamis on the region’s development and communities. Hilo has been hit by tsunamis multiple times and most recently in 1906, 1918, 1923, 1933, 1946, 1957, 1960, and 1975.

Additionally, our visit to the Discovery Center, also in downtown Hilo, enriched our experience as we uncovered fascinating insights into the vibrant culture and incredible ecology that define the Hawaiian Islands, making our exploration both educational and memorable.

We set out early one morning with the intention of walking along the expansive breakwater wall adjacent to our mooring in the bay. After a half-hour trek to reach the shoreline access, we embarked on an hour and a half journey each way. The weather began beautifully, but as we approached the three-quarter mark, rain poured down, leaving us soaked yet determined to finish our walk before turning back, navigating the now-slippery rocks with caution. While Alex and I struggled in our running shoes, Logan and Cash glided effortlessly across the wet terrain in their flip-flops.

The Hilo breakwater plays a vital role in shielding the coast from the relentless ocean waves, originally completed in 1930, it stretches 10,080 feet and was constructed over Blonde Reef to protect a deep basin of 35 feet, undergoing major repairs in 1973, 1975, and 1981.

Our adventure to the Volcano National Park was an unforgettable experience. We rose early to catch the free Hele-on public transit bus that would take us to the park. We had learned that the summit was erupting again, and we were eager to witness the flowing lava. The bus ride was vibrant, filled with many interesting characters along the way. When we arrived at the park and caught our first sight of the volcano, it was unlike anything we had ever experienced. The rumble from the explosive volcano echoed from over a mile away. We spent three hours at the park, captivated by the sights, and we could have easily stayed longer. We are thrilled that Logan and Cash had the chance to witness the eruption.

https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hans-public/notice/DOI-USGS-HVO-2025-03-24T18:20:52+00:00

https://www.castanet.net/news/World/539788/Hawaii-s-Kilauea-volcano-resumes-dazzling-show-with-lava-fountains-hundreds-of-feet-high

We had an amazing time at Mau and Paola’s ranch, where we got our hands dirty helping out with the soil around their gorgeous trees. With Logan and Cash giving us a hand, we managed to fertilize over 1000 trees! After all that hard work, we had fun feeding the sheep, taking tractor rides, and enjoying a delicious assortment of fresh bananas, papayas, oranges, and other fruits straight from the orchard. Our visit to the Eco Village Ranch with Mau and Paola was a fantastic experience we’ll always remember.