Paddle surfer CJ Kanuha isn't content to ride the waves just anywhere. So he tied himself to a jet ski and rode right up next to Kilauea on the big island of Hawaii.
The board rider got within 20 feet of the shore, but the molten rock sliding into the ocean didn't exactly make the ride pleasant:
I was tentative to get too close at first, and for good reason, the boiling water there is well over 200 hundred degrees in some spots, super hot, and it quickly melted the wax on the surfboard.
And that's not all: The water badly burned Kanuha's legs before he could paddle off. Maybe we'll stick to some other surfing spots for now.
If you love the Big Island of Hawaii and rubber duckies, then have we got a Fourth of July celebration for you: the 17th Annual Great Waikoloa Rubber Duckie Race. The whole day is filled with family fun including face painting, duck waddling contests and free-style quacking. There's even free popcorn and cotton candy.
The main draw of the event comes during the afternoon when the plastic ducks are released. The top 50 finishers are eligible for prizes, including a week-long stay at an Outrigger Villa or the Hilton Waikoloa Village. If your duck doesn't come in first, hope it comes in 17th, as that will get you 17 $100 bills.
Best of all, the proceeds from the event go to the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Hawaii. Last year the group was able to raise almost $40,000 for charity. Ducks start at $5 per bird, or get a $20 "quack pack" which includes three ducks and a shirt. If you didn't get up at the, uh, quack of dawn (sorry!), then you'll be able to stay up and enjoy the fireworks display around 9 pm.
The world's largest observatory rests atop the summit of a dormant volcano, Mauna Kea, in Hawaii. Astronomers from 11 countries operate the telescopes, and just next to the professional observatory, amateurs take advantage of the crystal clear skies. One enthusiastic guide company, Mauna Kea Summit Adventures, had this to say about the summit:
Since starting this outfit 25 years ago with an old Land Cruiser and a basket full of sweaters, my guides and I have had the enviable job of guiding nice folks, like you, to the beauty of Mauna Kea... We invite you to experience, what is, quite possibly, the most dramatic and stimulating scenery to be found anywhere, either on or off planet earth.
Did they say it's the best place in the universe? That's either hyperbole or we're not doing our job here by stumbling upon this place just now.
When you're new to riding the wild waves of Hawaii, it's smart to at least consider your safety. (Nothing ruins a trip faster than a hospital stay!) And we can't think of a much safer way to start surfing than with a crew of trained and certified Hawaiian lifeguards.
Hawaii Lifeguard Surf Instructors specialize in two-hour beginner lessons that run three times a day. The school provides everything riders need to take on the waves, from board to rash guard. It's the safest way to test the waves and waters. And once you've learned the fundamentals safely, you'll be riding the Pipe in no time.
As Category 3 Hurricane Flossie closes in on the Big Island of Hawaii a 5.3 earthquake struck 25 miles south of Hilo. Thankfully, only minor damage has been reported thus far and the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center reports that no tsunami warning has been generated.
And add Puu Oo, a volcano on the Big Island, to the Hawaii watch list. The volcano has recently re-filled with red hot lava, but no change in eruption activity has been reported, though at the moment, Puu Oo is obscured by rain clouds.
No word on any damage to Big Island hotels, nor any reported travel delays, but expect major delays and cancellations as Flossie bears down -- Hawaii has already declared a state of emergency. Furthermore, many skittish tourists have recently scrapped their Hawaii trips completely as Flossie closes in on the islands.
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