Hawaii 2013:

On the Big Island we stayed at the Naniloa Volcanoes Lodge right on the waterfront in Hilo, on a quiet street lined with banyan trees. On the first day we toured the Volcanoes National Park and drove as near as we could to the spot where lava is flowing into the sea. The following day we visited Kona and the small bay where Captain Cook was killed during a battle with the Hawaiian islanders. That evening we visited Mauna Kea and looked through small telescopes at the Orion Nebula and Jupiter.

This is the small bay where Captain Cook was killed as he retreated to his boats during a battle with the Hawaiians. It was then an important Hawaiian village and sacred area.

The view from Mauna Kea looking down past cinder cones to Hilo.

The big telescopes on Mauna Kea are clearly visible from the airport at sea level in Hilo.

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