I have had a love affair with Hawaii for as long as I can recall. When I was around eight years old, my aunt had married a native and I spent many summers enjoying Honolulu with my extended family. Memories of doing somersaults on the beach of Waikiki, picking sugar cane, satiating my sweet tooth with pineapple, and having my body engulfed by the humongous waves are etched in every fiber of my being. In my twenties, I attended the Pro Bowl NFL Game in Honolulu. I was engaged to my children’s father at the Halekalani and spent many of my young adult years revisiting Oahu. My girlfriends took me to Maui for my 50th. For my daughter’s high school graduation, I took her to join friends in Maui, the second largest island. Maui, known for it’s world-famous beaches, a shark encounter with a dear friend and surf expert, Lisa Schafer did not deter our return to the beloved ocean. There are eight major islands, so when my sister Patti proposed a family vacation at Christmas to Kona, we were in! Patti greeted Eric and me at the airport with the most fragrant leis. The gardenias in mine were so fragrant that I kept them next to my bed to enjoy the aroma for the week. Upon arriving in Kona, the first thing I noticed was the vast land and goats. Goats roam freely and they are everywhere. Research said that goats were first released by Captain James Cook and his crew during their third and final voyage. This was in the late 1700s and before this there were no grazing mammals anywhere on the island. Now they are literally everywhere!

We stayed at the Mauna Kea, named for an active volcano. Some authorities have labelled Mauna Kea the tallest mountain in the world from it’s under water base. The topographical scenery is unlike any other experience I had encountered in Honolulu or Maui. Kona is scenic, peaceful, and aesthetically pleasing. If you are looking for a relaxing get away without the hustle and bustle of crowded beaches, visit Kona! For me, I hope to return to them all. ALOHA!