ALOHA FROM HILO ~~ March 5

HAWAIIAN ARRIVAL~~ March 5 ~~ ALOHA!

As we sailed into our first stop in the Hawaiian Islands, the ship was requested by the local authorities to keep the ship’s illumination to a minimum, whilst in or near Hawaiian Waters. This is to reduce the impact that artificial lighting may have on some bird species and on their migration routes. Princess Cruises are committed to the protection of the environment and so we noticed a slight reduction in the restaurant’s lighting during our breakfast.

HELLO FROM HILO, HAWAII

5:00 a.m. Didn’t sleep as well as usual ~~ I think because we were halfway worried we would sleep in and miss our arrival into Hilo. LOL!!!

6:00 a.m. Dressed and ready so went and ate breakfast. As we were eating, we began to see some land and landmarks (which included the largest volcano on the island) when we were eating breakfast so finished and came back to our room/balcony. We watched the volcano turn into a brilliant rosy glow from the first rays of the sun as it rose on the other side of the ship. It was quite a remarkable sight to watch!

7:00 a.m. We discovered that we have cell service so quickly called Chip and then Brian and Amy to make a touch with our “kids” who were nearing the lunch hour at work as we were just finished with breakfast. It surely was good to hear their voices!!

7:45 a.m. We reported to the Princess Theater where we were staged into groups according to which excursion we had purchased. At about 8:15, our group was called out to board our bus for our “Highlights of Hilo” 4-hour excursion. Here is what we did on our excursion: We experienced the Big Island’s tropical splendors on a drive along the Hamakua Coast. We walked through a lush rainforest to view Akaka Falls and also a second water fall. I have to note that we had to go down a steep walk way with lots of steps DOWN to the bottom so that we could view the waterfall. The downside was that we had to come back UP all of those same steps to get back up to the top where our bus awaited us. I actually did pretty well considering…..





From the Falls, we rode out to the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Factory. We were able to peer into the factory but didn’t a soul at work. We enjoyed visiting the gift shop, eating free samples of macadamia nuts, and looking at all of their wares for sale. We boarded the bus from there and were driven out to the Nani Mau Gardens, a 20-acre repository of native Hawaiian Flora. It was a lovely ride through the gardens on a tram. It would come a good shower and then clear up and be sunny. Come a good shower and then clear up and be sunny. We were glad we had our rain jackets at times!! But, it is nice and warm (probably 75) so we were very much enjoying the day out on Hilo.

We were driven back to the ship where we had to go through security measures to get back into the ship’s area. We are always thankful they keep a careful watch on who comes aboard the ship!

1:30 We had lunch at the buffet. After all of our walking and nice outing, we were hungry!
SOME INFORMATION ON THE ISLAND OF HAWAII WHERE HILO IS LOCATED:

The Big Island of Hawaii is the largest of the Hawaiian Islands (4/038 square miles and still growing), the youngest, and the island is considered to be the cradle of Hawaiian civilization, the birthplace of kings. It is the source of much Hawaiian folklore, a place where history is palpable and accessible and where past and present fuse together to add a special mystical quality to its shores. On the eastern coast is the seaport of Hilo, the seat of government and the fourth largest city in the state. It sprawls along the crescent-shaped edge of Hilo Bay and is the flower capital of Hawaii. Hilo is also the gateway to Kilauea Volcano and Volcanoes National Park, which was established in 1916.

With its varied terrain, diverse climate, lush vegetation and rich array of attractions, many find Hawaii the most interesting of all the islands. In a single day, we may travel from black-sand beaches to lava flows, from snow-capped mountain peaks to tropical jungles, from tranquil bays to volcanic craters.

FROM THE NAVIGATOR ON FRIDAY MORNING, MARCH 5

During the night, Golden Princess followed a West sough Westerly course towards Hilo. We boarded our local pilot at 6:45 a.m. who assisted with the navigation towards our berth. Hilo is an old port town, but much of the port was taken away by a tidal wave in 1960. The tsunami deluged the waterfront, sweeping an organ console out the stage door of the Palace Theater, depositing fishing boats in the street like parked cars and taking out many blocks of the business district and dock area. It its place are some beautiful gardens and green vistas. Located on the windward side of the island, Hilo has rampant tropical growth, waterfalls, leafy tree ferns and various flowers. The rainfall is well over 100” annually, making Hilo the wettest city in the USA.

3:00 p.m. We are back on the ship in preparation to leave in a little while and sail to Ohau for our big day in Honolulu tomorrow!

Aloha (which means both "hello" and "good-bye" in the Hawaiian language