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Back in Honolulu, we booked some inter-island
flights to both Kauai and Maui. On Kauai
we visited Kilauea Point Lighthouse, the only lighthouse in the
Hawaiian Islands readily accessible to visitors, and Nawiliwili
Light, which required permission from a guard, and a long ride
down a bumpy road. As soon as we had photographed the two
lighthouses on Kauai, (our mission), it started to rain, so we
were not able to do much sightseeing.
We went on to Maui, where the weather did cooperate. Such a
beautiful place. We
photographed the Lahaina Harbor Light, which is called "the
oldest lighthouse in the Pacific".
This is not the earliest lighthouse, but is on the site of the
earliest. We also verified with the Coast Guard that Pauwela Point
Lighthouse no longer existed except as a beacon on a pole.
There are many small "light structures" in the Islands
that we did not search out. (Light
Structure is a term given us by the head of Coast Guard Aids to
Navigation in Honolulu.)
After returning to Honolulu from Maui, we booked a flight to the
Big Island, Hawaii. WE
landed at Kona and in our rental car, drove directly to Hilo where
we stayed at "Uncle Billy's Hilo Bay Hotel". (An
experience in itself).
The next day, despite torrential rain, we drove to Cape Kumukahi
to photograph this fascinating lighthouse. It is a tall metal
structure, the most powerful beam in the Pacific. As often happens
to us, the rain stopped long enough for us to photograph the
lighthouse. It has been through several volcanic eruptions. At one
point, the lava flow stopped, split and flowed around the
lighthouse, but consumed the keepers houses and outbuildings,
although the keeper and his family escaped with their lives.
After checking out the Volcanos National Park, we headed to Kona,
taking a side trip on
the way to Kapaau at the north end of the Big Island to find
information on getting to Kauhola
Point Lighthouse, our last one. We were told it would be very
difficult to access and not to try to attempt it in our rental car
as the road was nothing but deep mud due to the current rains.
We were also told not to try to hike the road as we would
never make it in the mud. We determined that we would not leave
the Hawaiian Islands until we photographed Kauhola Point. Asking
around Kapaau, we were directed to Bill and Sandie Wong, at ATV
Outfitters, who arranged to rent a 4 wheel drive vehicle to take
us out there as soon as the rain stopped.
We had to wait in Kona for the torrential rains on the north end
of the island to abate. It
was not raining in Kona, so we were able to play tourist while we
waited. The lava fields are just stunning. The flowers were
wonderful along the roadside in Kona-Kailua. We stayed at
"Uncle Billy's Kona Bay Hotel", wandered through the
tourist shops and drank Kona coffee. We were able to sightsee, and
yes, we went to another luau.
Finally the call came, we would go to Kauhola Point the next
morning. The day was windy, but no rain. Our driver, Bill Wong,
was descended from Chinese workers brought over to labor in the
sugar fields. He had great knowledge of history, myths and stories
of the area and kept us enthralled with his stories the whole
trip.
The road was almost impassible, even in the 4 wheel drive truck.
Bill informed us that if
the truck slid into the muddy ruts, that it would be the end of
our trip. Luck (or Fate) was with
us. After slipping and sliding in the muddy ruts, our vehicle
finally came into the clearing, and
there it was: Kauhola Point Lighthouse.
While we were photographing, Bill stood between us and the cliff,
because the wind was
blowing very hard, with gusts up the 70 miles per hour. (He didn't
want to lose us over the cliff, after all that trouble to take us
out there). After we had photographed the lighthouse, Bill took
our photo in front of it. He said, "Now, you are ALL PAU".
(Hawaiian for ALL DONE).
And so, on the North end of the Big Island we achieved our goal
to photograph every lighthouse in the United States.
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Kilauea Point
Lighthouse on Kauai
Nawiliwili Lighthouse
on Kauai
Lahaina Harbor
Lighthouse on Maui
Cape Kumukahi
Lighthouse on Hawaii.
The Lighthouse People
at Makapuu Point, Oahu.
These photos and many more photos of the
lighthouses of the Hawaiian Islands are in our first book:
"Lighthouses of the Hawaiian
Islands"
This book has 32 pages of full color photographs including the
ones shown,
book is 8 1/2x11, full color covers, sells for $10.95 plus
$3 S&H. If you order two books, send $3.50 S& H. for
teh two.
You can order by
calling us (850-862-4069) or mailing your order to: The Lighthouse
People, Bob & Sandra Shanklin, 517 Thornhill Rd. Fort Walton
Bch, FL 32547
Any of these photos are for sale.
Check our price list for sizes & prices.
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