After another filling breakfast we grabbed our snorkeling gear and headed to Hapuna Beach State Park. We started out near a large rock just offshore of the center of the beach, but the waves started to get too rough. So we moved further down the beach to a more protected cove area. We saw lots of yellow tangs, puffers and a few Picasso fish. All of these colorful fish were just doing their thing - it was even better than the lagoon at the hotel.


After returning to the hotel for a shower and general cleanup we decided to visit Pua Mau Place, another tropical garden collection. When we drove past we realized that it was closed - even though it was supposed to be open on Sunday. Instead of getting ourselves down about it we continued to drive up the Kohala Coast. Along the way we stopped at Mahukona Beach Park. There we walked along the rocky coastline to take some wave pictures (which Eric affectionately refers to as "action shots") and found some cool wave pools.

We continued on our trek, stopping only at a full service gas station in Hawi, to the Pololu Valley. The map showed that the road ended at the Pololu Valley Lookout point. We parked, took some pictures and noticed people coming from a trail at the far end of the parking area. It didn't take us long to realize there was a black sand beach at the bottom of these cliffs . . .
About 20 minutes later we were standing on the most beautiful beach surrounded by cliffs and inland lakes. We were about 500 feet straight down from where we had parked the car. Even though the hike back UP was exhausting it was completely worth it! Our drive back took us through several small towns to Kawaihae where we ate at the other Café Pesto on the island. This time I got an artichoke and spinach pizza and Eric got a Luau pizza (a real Hawaiian pizza- ham and pineapple!). Every restaurant seems to have an art gallery nearby so we wandered through the Black Pearl Gallery and looked at some beautiful wood bowls and paintings.
The best part was finding the same sea turtle photo I bought was 14 bucks more at this place. Completely stuffed and tired we visited the Kona pool hot tub again for a little R & R and to recover from the tough uphill hike. On our way back to our room we stopped by the Kameula Provision Company and got the Big Surf Lilikoi Cheesecake to go.