Wainapanapa State Park

The night is filled with pouring rain coming and going over and over. The winds pick up and blow Kamani fruit down all around us, sometimes making us jump when they make a direct hit with our tent. After a lovely breakfast or freshly picked fruit, cereal and coffee, we pack our day bag and head along the Hana-Wainapanapa Coastal Trail. The ancient Hawaiian path takes us over sea arches formed from lava flows into the ocean, tide pools, and a heiau (religious ruin sites). The trek brings us to Ka'inalimu Bay, a rocky beach where we relax in the morning sun and let the waves crash over us.

IMG_5473 crop

IMG_5472 crop

On the way back I'm on a quest for a coconut to add to our dinner. After throwing rocks up into trees to try and knock one down, finally I am successful. The coconut falls to the ground, bounces once and then down a deep hole in the volcanic rock never to be seen again. Shit outta luck I guess.

IMG_5568edit

We noticed all kinds of warning signs at beaches but this beach had the most we'd seen yet. It seems there are more signs for swimming in the ocean than for driving automobiles.

IMG_5430

IMG_5448 edit

IMG_5479 edit

The rest of the day was spent reading and photographing the beautiful black sand beach and mountain side up to the crater.

IMG_5559 edit

IMG_5554 crop

IMG_5546 crop

IMG_5506 edit