Email Elizabeththings to do in kona
Fishing in Kona with Captain Bobby on the Cherry Pit
Elizabeth Weintraub caught an Ono fishing in Kona.
When my friend Linda mentioned she had plans to go fishing in Kona, I pretty much invited myself to go along. She seemed a bit surprised to learn that I love to fish. Perhaps because I am more of a lake fishing person than an ocean sea-going mama. Although, I did go deep-sea fishing 7 years ago in Kona on the Fire Hatt with Captain Chuck.
Above is my 21-pound ono. I’d like to say I caught it but the truth is the boat catches the fish. I just reeled it in. We don’t bait our own hooks and we don’t pull our fish out of the water. Captain Bobby on the Cherry Pit handles the entire boat without a deck hand, and that is part of his duties.
But hey, this is the fish I caught. And you should note that I am not left holding the bloody head like my friends. Nope, I got the slimy tail to hold.
Sunrise over Hualalai fishing in Kona
This fishing in Kona trip was set up by Vern Bowen from Roseville, CA. Vern and his wife Pam are a hoot. Last enjoyed their company during the Sunday Stroll in Kailua Village. They used to live next door to Linda in Roseville, but then Linda moved back to Kona. Small world. Only deal was we had to be at Honokohau Harbor by 5:00 AM.
As we chugged over small waves heading north along the shoreline, I watched the water curl into those unnatural pointy shapes you see in bad oil paintings. Every white crest resembled a shark. I was definitely hallucinating and this was not my free flash back we were promised and never got.
Linda Lynn caught an Ono fishing in Kona.
Linda made it look so easy when she reeled in her ono. That fish practically swam toward the boat. Captain Bobby said the stripes on the ono tend to fade once they are out of the water for a while. In fact, Linda’s ono had more stripes than my Ono but hers weighed a little under 12 pounds.
Vern Bowen pulled in a male mahi-mahi fishing in Kona.
When we saw this fish that Vern caught with live bait, we didn’t know what it was. Despite the fact that the back of Vern’s shirt features an illustration of mahi-mahi eating small fish. But yes, it is a very emerald green and glittery fish. Their brilliant color fades after it is out of the water.
Vern Bowen caught the biggest Ono fishing in Kona.
Here is Vern’s 23-pound ono. We trolled with lures for a long time. Probably left the harbor around 5:45 and headed north toward the airport, arriving near the Makai Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Plant. That structure, which turns sea water into energy, was part of our visit to the Kona Natural Energy Laboratory tours a year ago.
Vern and Pam Bowen, Elizabeth Weintraub and Linda Lynn pose with ono and mahi-mahi from fishing in Kona.
Right after I reeled in my ono, I began to feel a bit seasick. It was tough reeling it in. Toward the end, I was doing a two-fisted reel, and then I collapsed on the bench, panting. Still, I would do it again. Fishing in Kona is one of the great experiences in life. Now we have fresh fish to serve our houseguests, Josh Almosch and Vika, when they arrive in Kona today.
If you don’t know, Josh is an exclusive buyer’s agent on the Elizabeth Weintraub Team. Work hard. Play hard.
Kona Haven Coffee Ushers in a Fun Friday in Kona
My friend Linda in Kona sent me a text message on Thursday to invite me to a meet up with her and Laura at Kona Haven Coffee. Only problem with that idea was I was still in route from Sacramento to Kona. I hate to decline any invitation because sometimes people take it the wrong way. They think you don’t want to get together or other things in your life are more important than friends. I suggested we do it some other time.
Then, yesterday morning, just as the guys from Lowes were pulling into our driveway to begin our remodeling project at the house, I received another invitation. I had to ask myself did I really want to micromanage the demolition of our two baths or did I want to sit by the ocean and chat with friends?
I know what my semi-retired agent friend Myrl Jeffcoat would do. It’s not like my Sacramento real estate business would suffer if I met up for coffee and spent a few hours with friends. So wired now. Apple Watch, iPhone, as long as I don’t have to create a document on the run, but home was only a mile away.
I decided it was time for a mental health break. Zipped down to Kona Coffee Haven and ordered up an iced Thai tea. It wasn’t on the menu for some reason. But I noticed they had hot Thai tea, so surely a little condensed milk could be added with ice.
Linda shared a few YouTube videos by Creative Mom making fairy houses. If you’re like me, you’re probably wondering: what is a fairy house? Silly, it’s a house where fairies and other mythical creatures live. You know, with mushroom caps for roofs and rounded doors. This woman makes fairy houses out of empty plastic coke bottles. Along with homemade clay, coat hangers and aluminum foil. Then she paints them.
No way am I that creative with my hands, and I’m in awe of this talent. Who knew? Fairy houses?
I suggested that Linda could sell them to real estate agents. Personalize them with a client’s name and include the name of the agent, maybe on a For Sale sign in the yard. Then, agents could give the houses to their buyers as a closing gift. She could charge $100 to $200 per fairy house, depending on how much work it entailed. Right?
With a Hawaiian twist. Maybe palm trees? A dolphin. Perhaps an I’iwi bird that feeds on Ohi’a, which unfortunately are rapidly dying in Hawai’i, which means the i’iwi could become extinct along with the Ohi’a trees. I know, this is a great idea. Brings awareness.
But you know, not everybody wants to start a new business. Especially while we’re sitting around talking story at Kona Haven Coffee. But she might. Never a dull moment in Kona.
Celebration at Hulihe’e Palace for King Kamehameha Day
After the King Kamehaha parade in Kailua-Kona on Saturday, the celebration continued at Hulihe’e Palace in historic Kailua Village. The palace was the summer home of Queen Emma. Many years ago my husband and I toured the palace, a must-see historic preservation site in town. These guys, I believe, are re-enacting the Royal Order of King Kamehameha I. The uniter of the Hawaiian islands.
The men are wearing a malo, a loin cloth. Hawaiians are not as hung up about their bodies or exposure as we are on the mainland.
The Hula performance was mesmerizing. It takes years to become proficient in hula, which tells stories of the people, life on Hawaii and respects the gods, ali’i (chiefs) and aina (land).
Here is a video I shot that is 44 seconds of music and hula before some clueless guy wandered directly in front of us.
Many vendors lined the perimeter of Hulihe’e Palace selling hand-made goods, food, beverages and this particular vendor was a big hit serving coconut water. He brought piles of coconuts still attached to each other, swung that machete to cut off the tops and sold them. I am not a big fan of coconut water; it is very bland to me.
During my trip to Vanuatu and the village of Tanoliu four years ago, my hostess, Lietau, had her son sprint up a coconut tree in 10 seconds to throw down coconuts. He cut the tops off, and I sat on a blanket with the family drinking coconut water. Afterwards, we scooped out the flesh using part of the top as a spoon. They do the same thing on Hawaii Island. To me, it is pretty tasteless, but if I was really hungry and that’s all I had, I would eat it and not complain.
Erin, pictured here drinking the water of a large coconut, handed each of us her coconut so we could feel how heavy it was. Much heavier than it looks, especially when it’s full of water. Erin will be teaching second grade in the fall.
Linda, pictured here, lives down the street from me and hails from the Sacramento area. She was scooping scented salts in a rainbow of colors and sniffing them. Which lured me over there, and I ended up buying 6 bags of salts. You can set them in small bowls around your house to perfume the air or drop in bath water.
This guy showed us his adorable Yorkie, which is 5 months old. Time for doggie kisses. Laura ended up nabbing this guy as a client because she is a dog groomer. She has her elevator speech down pat. First she approached the potential client to tell him how cute his dog is, and she meant it. Then she casually dropped into the conversation she grooms dogs like this, and before you know it, she got his phone number. That’s a smart woman who should go into real estate.
The steeple of the Mokuaikaua Church was visible from the Hulihe’e Palace, and it looked like it was about to rain, but it did not rain.
Here my friend, Linda, on the left, and Laura, the best dog groomer in Kailua-Kona on the right, checked out the activity on the horizon.
This is the view that captured our attention. Many regatta races were happening at the Kailua pier.
Back at the lava wall to the Hulihe’e Palace, I captured a couple of Hawaiians dressed in ancient attire. Such sweet, kind people, and their compassion rubs off on you. Absolutely infectious. I have noticed that when I am in Hawaii, I am a much nicer person than I have any right, probably, to be.
During our walk to Hulihe’e Palace, Linda noticed an abandoned purse sitting in an alcove of lava. It seemed full of stuff. I picked it up and walked into the restaurant, up to the guy at the cash register. He tried not to take the bag, but I forced it upon him. Explained it was left on the lava wall and he needed to safeguard it. Didn’t give him a choice, really.
Then, when I walked back outside on the deck of the restaurant, in a commanding voice I announced: if anybody comes looking for a missing bag, it is inside the restaurant. Didn’t even think about it when I did it. It just needed to be done. See what I mean? I’m a nicer person than I know myself to be. This is what Hawaii does to you.
Tips for Buying a Paddle Board in Kona, Hawaii
Returning to shore in Keauhou Bay on a Lahui Kai paddle board.
Buying a paddle board in Kona, Hawaii, was a bit more involved than I initially imagined. The first thing I learned was a person should really demo the paddle board first. Don’t just pick the prettiest and least expensive paddle board in the store because you might regret it later. Everybody is different when it comes to paddle boarding. When I considered the fact that I’ve actually only gone paddle boarding 3 times in my life and the last time was 4 years ago in Bora Bora, I felt like I needed expert assistance. And not from some mouth breather.
My husband is what I often refer to as the voice of reason, so it’s good that he was in Hawaii to help me out. He is not a guy who enjoys paddle boarding. He tried once and decided it was not for him. Which I respect, even though I don’t want to. I want him to go paddle boarding with me and enjoy the freedom of sailing across the water free as a bird, but it’s not for him.
I mapped out a few shops in Kona, but decided instead to stop at a place near Costco that looked like a local store for buying a paddle board in Kona. They had the stand-up boards with cross bars like an elliptical. You hang on to the bars, which holds you upright on the board and paddle with your feet. Kind of like a stand-up boat. The guy who owned that shop directed us to Sue over at Polynesian Paddling Products. Sue, a beautiful slim woman with silver hair, referred me to Brian Bradley, who makes paddle boards.
Brian Bradley helped Elizabeth Weintraub get on her paddle board.
Brian is a tall, gray-haired, very attractive guy at 70+. I recall Sue telling me she was in her 70’s, too. Being 65 myself, I need people to admire who are older, and these two fit the bill. It’s hard to trust people under 50 nowadays.
Brian invited me to Keauhau Bay to try out a few paddle boards. The first board looked like a regular paddle board. Rounded tip and wide. I climbed aboard. Uh-oh, it took me several tries to stand. I did not feel stable. But once I got up, yes, a calm passed over me and I felt in command of the board. I paddled about but it seemed too wide and it rocked in the waves, almost clumsily.
Look straight ahead and focus are the keys to paddle boarding.
Next, Brian suggested the Lahui Kai, a touring paddle board, at 11 feet 6 inches. They don’t make this kind of board anymore. The new boards are 12 feet, 6 inches. But this particular board was for sale at Sue’s shop. It’s made from carbon fiber and weighs 23 pounds. It even has a riser handle to help with carrying the board. They make a cheaper version of this board in fiberglass, but I loved how easy the carbon fiber board is to carry. Let’s not forget I’m only 5 feet tall.
Elizabeth Weintraub paddle boards in Keauhou Bay near Kona.
Soon as I climbed aboard the Lahui Kai, I fell in love with the board. Your heart will tell you. It glided effortlessly. Stability plus. Made buying a paddle board in Kona so much easier. I could have wandered into any shop on Ali’i Drive and ended up with a completely unreasonable board that I would dislike within a few weeks. Instead, I trusted experience. To go with my purchase, I also splurged and bought a Puakea Carbon Fiber Catch 22 paddle that is fairly weightless and Brian custom adjusted the height for me.
In closing, let me say if you are interested in buying or selling a home in Sacramento, trust experience. Call Elizabeth Weintraub, your Sacramento Realtor and paddle board enthusiast, at 916.233.6759 and put more than 40 years of real estate experience to work for you. I’ll be back in Sacramento on February 1.
Kona Natural Energy Laboratory Tours Amaze and Astound
Makai Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Plant near Kona airport, Hawaii
If you do nothing else while on vacation in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, make sure you take at least one Natural Energy Laboratory Tour. It is really incredible. You’ll find a variety of tours to choose from, and all sorts of adventures await. You will see and learn things that seem impossible to ordinary mortals. It’s enough to make you want to go back to school to become a marine biologist or some other kind of scientist instead of maybe a Sacramento Realtor.
When the OTEC project was completed a couple years ago, I recall reading about it and feeling like science fiction has met finally met reality and the future is now. It’s a renewable and sustainable way to convert sea water into energy, utilizing science, that thing Donald Trump doesn’t believe in, science. The Makai Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion plant cost only $2 million to build. There is an entire park built around the Makai OTEC plant called the HOST Park, which stands for Hawaii Ocean Science and Technology.
This is also where you can buy Kona lobsters. They grow Maine lobsters here at the park, along with a large variety of other shellfish and seafood. They also do a lot of algae energy research and production from biofuels to food supplements.
Scientists at Octopus Farm in Kailua-Kona study octopus, with Makai OTEC in distance.
Many of the tubs in the photo above at the Octopus Farm support a live octopus for study. They are under one year of age. The scientists would like to find a way to provide a sustainable resource of octopus due to overfishing and killing of these magnificent creatures. Like my husband says, octopus are smarter than many people he has worked with. Certainly smarter than real estate agents, and I can say that being in the profession.
Octopus are friendly, inquisitive and extremely smart.
You can put your hand into the water and let them wrap around your fingers. After you meet an octopus in person, I don’t know if you could ever eat an octopus again. It seems too cruel to kill such an intelligent creature when there are much dumber species one could consume instead. Even The Beatles knew about an Octopus’s Garden, and how these remarkable cephalopods tend to rearrange their environment to suit themselves.
One of two monk seals in the wild of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.
When our guide, Candee, and CEO of the nonprofit from Friends of the Natural Energy Laboratory, asked if we would like to see a monk seal in the wild, I did not believe we would find one. I thought maybe it was an excuse to stroll along the beach, climb over a bit of lava and hope to spot a monk seal. After all, there are only two monk seals who live in Kailua-Kona in the Pacific Ocean.
Hawaiian monk seal in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, in the wild.
I was very surprised to stumble upon this cove and find a monk seal. The Hawaiian monk seal is endangered. In the park, we were able to visit the Marine Mammal Center Ke Kai Ola as part of our tour. This place rescues and rehabilitates monk seals and releases them back into the wild. They say a monk seal needs to live to be at least 5 years old before the female can mate, but getting them to that age is a challenge.
Monk seals swallow fishermen’s hooks and face all sorts of dangers as a baby. The mother doesn’t stay with the monk seals for very long after birth and they either make it in the wild or they die.
