Underwater Photography

[TheMercenary]

We lived in Hawaii for 3 years, where you guys headed? Want some suggestions of places to see?

[glatt]

I've only used the disposable film type, and they are marginal at best. Before you go that route, I suggest you dig up your old pictures and look at them. I bet your memory of the quality is a little generous. If I recall correctly, you can't shoot any closer than around 6 feet.

[Tink]

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

We lived in Hawaii for 3 years, where you guys headed? Want some suggestions of places to see?

Mauna Lani close to Waikoloa. Just north of Kona. Doing the volcano park bit of course. Have a house to bunk in on the beach with snorkeling paradise at our disposal. Will visit Akaka Falls but beyond that.... I heard that Waipio Valley lookout is great. Have a book but personal experiences and suggestions always help.

[Elspode]

Where's that pesky Envy smilie?

Oh well, this will have to do...

[glatt]

Originally Posted by Tink

I heard that Waipio Valley lookout is great.

The lookout is nice, or you can get a tour of the valley itself. My wife and I did the tour about 15 years ago on our honeymoon, and there was a guy who would take you down into the valley in his 4wd and then put you in his old wagon pulled by mules. It's fun. But wear your seatbelt for protection during the crash with the other tour van.

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by Tink

Mauna Lani close to Waikoloa. Just north of Kona. Doing the volcano park bit of course. Have a house to bunk in on the beach with snorkeling paradise at our disposal. Will visit Akaka Falls but beyond that.... I heard that Waipio Valley lookout is great. Have a book but personal experiences and suggestions always help.

The black sand beach is a must, walk the lava fields but bring some really good shoes. Try to get down into where you can see the lava pouring into the ocean, esp at dusk or night, what a site. We stayed at a military camp ground near the volcano national park, another must see, and don't bring home any sample of volcano rock it is really bad luck, there are all these testimonials and letters from people who sent them back after vacations.

Hilo was cool. The Big Island is very rural. Do some on line research about the Tsunami that hit Hilo, the pics are wild. If there is any advice I could give it is get off the beaten path of the regular tourist stuff as often as possible. There are numerous ancient temples dotting the islands and people often leave an offering at them, you will see rocks and other things tied up with Tea leaves resting on the temples and sacred sites.

I could go on for hours... most of all enjoy yourselves and rest and relax in the beautiful ocean breeze and watch the sun set with some iced drinks with a little umbrella in them. Go for the Mai Tai.

[Tink]

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

The black sand beach is a must, walk the lava fields but bring some really good shoes. Try to get down into where you can see the lava pouring into the ocean, esp at dusk or night, what a site.

There are numerous ancient temples dotting the islands and people often leave an offering at them, you will see rocks and other things tied up with Tea leaves resting on the temples and sacred sites.

I could go on for hours... most of all enjoy yourselves and rest and relax in the beautiful ocean breeze and watch the sun set with some iced drinks with a little umbrella in them. Go for the Mai Tai.

I've seen pics of the lava at night. It'll be a must I think. Have to make sure to find that particular place.

Are there signs to the temples, I would imagine? I think the kids will get a kick out of that. Shades of Annie Palmer's House in Jamaica.

Mai Tai's, absolutely. Mai Tai Mike's Tiki Hut just outside the Hilton which is across the bay.

Thanks for the hints!

[glatt]

FYI the hot lava flows have typically been to the East side of the volcano, you are going to be on the West side. It's about 150 miles from Kona to the lava flow that crosses Chain of Craters Road and flows to the sea. It may not be active when you are there. Several hours to drive there on the two lane road.

Google Earth coordinates for the end of the road: 19.303822, -155.083775

the lava enters the sea about 2 miles East of where the road is first buried.