Hawaii 2019: Flumin' Kohala

We celebrated my stepdaughter Zoe’s birthday in Hawaii with a Flumin’ Kohala excursion. Flumin’ Kohala offers the unique experience of guided kayak tours through the historic Kohala Ditch, which was built over a century ago to bring water to the sugar cane fields.

The mid-morning excursion started with a quick safety video.

Flumin Kohala is not an intense adventure. There are no rapids and only a few small dips for a short thrill. It does not require much physical effort, although you should be able to handle a small hike, climb in and out of the kayak, and help with a bit of paddling. Everyone is provided with a floatation device that ties around the waist, although the water is only knee-deep and no swimming skills are required. This is truly an adventure that most people in good health can enjoy, the only issue might be with those who have an extreme fear of the dark or claustrophobia. The tour goes into pitch-black tunnels ( a few headlamps providing the only light) and through tight spaces- if you reach out you will touch the wall and in a few spots, ducking is necessary.

We piled into vans for a short ride to the flumes.

Our guide ( the guy sitting backwards in the van) entertained us with local history, corny jokes, and a few songs. Unfortunately, I can’t remember his name, but he was very nice and ended up being the guide for our kayak, which was just big enough for him and our family. I do remember that he was a college student, home for the summer, but going to school in California.

We arrived at our location, a lush, mountainous area with waterfalls. We had a very short, easy hike to the flumes.

What to wear? We decided to put on our bathing suits under shorts/cover-ups. This worked out well. It’s not like we got soaked, but we did get wet. Our guide playfully used his oar to splash us with water and we walked around the flumes a bit, about knee high. The weather was warm, but the water was icy.

Close-toed shoes are required. We didn’t want to get our sneakers wet, so we went to the mall and splurged on Crocs for the whole family. I was very reluctant. It’s not that I was worried about Crocs being a fashion faux pas ( which they are) but that I have a painful association with Crocs. When my mom was having her cancer treatments, all of the doctors in the oncology units wore Crocs. I associate them with the worst time of my life.

I swore that I’d never wear them. However, pushed with needing shoes for the excursion, I caved and picked out a pair with flamingos. If you know me or have been reading for awhile, you’ll know that I loathe flamingoes. It seems appropriate.

Long story short, Crocs are the right kind of footwear for this activity. That said, I won’t be wearing them again. Luckily, they are a size too small and gave me blisters, so I have a easy excuse to throw them up on Poshmark!

A picture of our guide. He even played the Ukulele while guiding us through the flumes- Multi-tasking and multi-talented!

We climbed in the kayak with our guide in the front. He did a majority of the paddling. Felix second, Zoe third, me fourth and Dan in the back. Dan had an additional oar to assist with paddling and he got to wear a headlamp.

Dan and I had a problem. We were so physically sore from the Captain Zodiac excursion, that we couldn’t sit comfortably in the kayak. Normally, we would have been fine, but since this was only two days after the zodiac, we were stiff and in pain. We needed to sit with our legs crossed and my legs kept cramping. It was ninety minutes of discomfort.

That said, we still had a blast. Flumin Kohala is a unique tour that blends history and adventure with stunning scenery.

The ride ended near a patch of wild pineapples!

The current prices ( as of March 2021) are 135/adults and 75/children 5-11, this doesn’t include tax or tips. Our entire family enjoyed our experience at Flumin Kohala and the staff is first-rate.

After our excursion, we drove to a nearby town for lunch at a local cafe called Minnie’s. Minnie’s is a friendly burger/sandwich place, where we all went for grilled cheese. The owner overheard us mention Zoe’s birthday and she kindly surprised Zoe with a chocolate sundae. Minnie’s has great food and even better people. It’s the type of local restaurant that you should make sure to visit when in the area.

Hawaii 2019: Captain Zodiac Raft Expeditions

If you visit Hawaii, It is mandatory to explore the Pacific Ocean. We booked a snorkeling excursion with Captain Zodiac Raft Expeditions. We took a midday tour, meeting at the Captain Zodiac tour office in Gentry’s Kona Marina. The marina was easy to find and offered free parking.

We were offered a warm greeting at the tour office as we signed our waivers and were fitted for equipment. Upon booking the tour, I asked about a changing room, as the excursion was far from our hotel and I didn’t want to be stuck in my bikini all day.

It turned out that the “changing room” was actually a small bathroom that all of the local businesses use, including a bustling restaurant. It was awkward to change with a queue of women waiting to use the toilets. If we take this excursion in the future, I will definitely just wear my bathing suit under my shorts.

Make sure to wear sunscreen and make sure that it is designated “reef safe.” It’s also not a bad idea to bring a hat with a tight strap and sunglasses. The sun is intense and we all returned pinker than we left.

As soon as the other guests arrived ( about ten of us in total, including several older children) Captain Rick and his assistant, Amanda, walked us over to our zodiac boat.

At first, the ride was a lot of fun. I was laughing and having a great time. I hadn’t been on a zodiac raft in many years and I forgot how bumpy the ride can be, especially when we hit open water. We had to lean forward and keep a minimum of one hand gripped on the safety rope as our feet were tucked under a different rope.

After about twenty-minutes the ride turned from thrilling to uncomfortable. I was white-knuckling the rope. If you want to feel old ( I was forty-one at the time) go on a zodiac raft ride. You will feel every ache and pain in your body. The following day, Dan and I could barely move. There are warnings regarding this not being a great excursion for people with neck/back conditions and other medical problems that might be aggravated, but for us, it was simply being in our 40’s. Ouch!

That said, the ride had beautiful views and it’s always a joy to be out on the water soaking up the sunshine.

And we saw dolphins…loads of dolphins!

We stopped at Kealakekua Bay for about two hours to snorkel. We were told that Disney animators came here to get inspired for Finding Nemo. It’s a calm snorkeling spot with plenty of fish.

It’s not easily accessible by land, so the bay was filled with various excursion operators. There is a trail that takes approximately 2.5 hours to the Captain Cook Monument, a memorial with an obelisk for the explorer that is said to be on the spot where he died. This tiny area of land is technically British soil. Cook is a highly controversial historical figure, having bullied his way into many indigenous populations, causing them harm. He met his demise in Hawaii, when the Hawaiians fought back.

Captain Rick and Amanda gave us our life jackets and snorkel gear. They also had pool noodles for anyone who wanted extra floatation help. Despite having little snorkeling experience, Zoe and Dan jumped right in. I was nervous. I have no fear of swimming in the ocean and I’m a strong swimmer, however, I had a claustrophobia issue the last time that I went snorkeling and panicked. Amanda was very kind in talking me through my panic attack and I felt brave enough to give it a try. Felix and I jumped in the water at the same time and started exploring.

The minute I hit the water, I felt confident.

Colorful fish were everywhere! These pictures absolutely do not do it justice. It was far more bright and magical. I clearly remember the underwater crunch sounds that I was later told were fish eating sand.

Before our bouncy ride back, we were given snacks: fresh pineapple, chips, cookies, juice and soda. On the way back, we took a slightly different route, so that Captain Rick could show us some special points of interest. We went near sea caves, saw teenagers cliff-jumping into the ocean, and visited some rock faces where Disney animators found inspiration for Moana. I think Disney animators are just finding excuses for Hawaiian vacations!

I can’t remember if the rate is the same as what we paid in 2019, but the current prices for this tour are 125.00 for adults and 90.00 for kids. Plus, don’t forget a tip! My only negative was the aches and pains from the zodiac ( I think Dan would agree), but the kids thought it was fun. Captain Rick and Amanda did a professional job and the tour included many wonderful experiences. We recommend Captain Zodiac Raft Expeditions.

Hawaii 2019: Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes are one of the most iconic elements of Hawaii and they are most prominent on the big island. Located on the Hilo side of the island, Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is massive and contains two of the most active volcanoes in the world: Kilauea and Mauna Loa.

The entrance fee was a reasonable 25.00. We spent about four hours exploring the park, but we could have easily spent an entire day ( more than a day) if we had intended to hike. We mostly drove and hopped out of our car at the various points of interest.

Our first stop was the Kilauea Visitors Center. I’m ashamed to admit that the primary purpose of our stop was for a toilet break, however for most people, the visitors center is a place to learn about volcanoes and Hawaiian culture. It is filled with educational exhibits and knowledgable park rangers.

We had a disappointing reality check when we learned that there was no current molten lava activity. When planning our vacation, we looked into tours to view lava activity, all of which were dying down from a previous eruption in 2018. We missed experiencing molten lava by just a few months.

Although it was certainly something we wanted to see, we also had to think about the destruction that it caused. We saw that until shortly before our trip, private tours were being conducted of a local housing estate that had been destroyed by the previous eruption. It was a form of disaster tourism, akin to people visiting Katrina sites after the flood. Many people are interested in witnessing the wrath of nature, but there also has to be a sensitivity and compassion towards those who have suffered, whether it be property loss or worse, the loss of a loved one.

No lava, but we did have steam coming from steam vents. This was as “active” as it got, but still neat to experience. It’s sad to see signs to remind people not to throw things into the vents. The way some people treat nature is appalling.

Speaking of nature…

I visited Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park when I was about ten years old (didn’t see active lava then either) and one of the parts that I remember the most is The Devastation Trail. This short hike shows the destruction from volcanic activity. It is just as barren and desolate now, as it was in the late 80’s.

The coolest thing we did was just to pull off and walk amongst the lava rocks. It seems strange, but it is allowed, although good shoes are recommended. We picked up a few lava rocks to admire, but we certainly did not remove them from the park. That is not only illegal, but according to Hawaiian superstition, very, very, very bad luck! You know the episode of The Brady Bunch with the tiki idol? Kind of like that, but worse.

We discovered a Nene Goose that was actually crossing!

Our final stop was a scenic overlook with breathtaking views of the ocean.

No trip to the big island would be complete without a stop at Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. Since it was on the other side of the island, it was a very long day for us. I wish we had thought to pack a lunch and maybe dressed more appropriately so that Waikoloa Village to Vwe could have gone on a hike. We enjoyed it, but only in a superficial way. If we do it again, I’d plan the day better and maybe even consider a tour to gain a deeper perspective on the experience. That said, although we were exhausted, it was a successful family outing. My step kids (9 and 12 at the time of the trip) were able to enjoy this new and very different experience. The landscape is like something from another planet!

On my next trip report, I will detail our unexpected adventure that we had in our evening after our day at the volcanoes..