Today didn’t offer much excitement until I reached the charming Manago Hotel. I rose around 9 am, got myself ready, and began some writing on my laptop in my beautiful hotelroom at the Kohala Village Inn. However, hunger soon beckoned, prompting me to stroll back to the nearby store. As I stepped outside, the lively sounds in the air hinted at a special event—a celebration for King Kamehameha. Grabbing a drink from the shop, I returned to the hotel. Shortly after, I made the impromptu decision to head towards Kailua-Kona. On my way out, I struck up a conversation with two men painting the hotel exterior. They suggested I check out the local festivities at Kamehameha Park. Considering I had visited the park the previous day, I figured, why not?
Local event at the Kamehameha Park in Kapaau
I made my way back to the park, encountering a minor traffic jam along the route. Fortunately, it wasn’t anything major. After a brief 15-minute wait, I finally secured a parking spot and parked my car on the expansive sports field.
I followed the crowd and arrived at a bustling terrain adorned with market stalls, primarily selling local delicacies and clothing. While there were additional stands inside the sports hall, I opted to simply capture the event through photographs. Venturing outside, I discovered a large party tent, where a notable figure from the Big Island delivered a heartfelt speech, expressing gratitude to all attendees. It was enlightening to learn that this event was held in the birthplace of King Kamehameha. Following the speech, the entertainment commenced, featuring a captivating hula dance performed by a group of talented young girls.
Back on the Road
That’s when I made the decision to continue my journey to Kailua-Kona. Returning to my car, I set off once again. The landscape appeared increasingly arid as I drove. After some time, feeling the urge to capture the scenery, I veered off the main highway and embarked on a detour. I followed the road until it dwindled to a stop at the coastline, anticipating a picturesque vista awaiting me.
Upon reaching the end of the road, I parked the car and stepped out. Nearby stood a small building, but it turned out to be just a simple shelter for swimmers. The area was bustling with activity—a mix of motorcyclists, swimmers, divers, and locals unwinding by the coast. After a brief stop to use the facilities and capture a few photos, I decided to move on. While it was a pleasant spot, I couldn’t help but feel that I had encountered more impressive locations before.
Heading back onto Highway 270 towards Kailua-Kona, I found the drive pleasant, accompanied by my favorite tunes playing in the background. Realizing I wanted to create a CD for the upcoming week, I programmed my GPS to lead me to the nearest Target store. Fortunately, there was one located in Kona where I planned to purchase some CD-Rs. With these in hand, I looked forward to burning a personalized CD for the week ahead.
Hotel Recommendation
Later in the afternoon, I arrived at the store and purchased the items I needed. The Target store turned out to be impressively large, constantly exceeding my expectations. I picked up a 5-pack of CDs for approximately $5—a bargain. Following my shopping excursion, I headed towards a hostel in Kailua-Kona, though I regrettably forgot its name. Thankfully, it was the second listing on Google. The host assured me of a room and recommended the Manago Hotel, conveniently located near Pineapple Park Hostel. Seeking more privacy to work on my articles, I decided to inquire about availability at the Manago Hotel. A desk, reliable Wi-Fi, and a bit of solitude sounded ideal after a relatively unproductive evening of work the night before.
Expressing gratitude to the man, I assured him that I would call once I had confirmation from the hotel. Then, I embarked on a 30-minute quest to locate a Subway in the area. Despite Google Maps leading me astray for about 20 minutes, I persevered until I found another Subway location. With sandwich in hand for later, I set my course towards Captain Cook, where the Manago Hotel awaited.
The Manago Hotel
The receptionist greeted me warmly and confirmed the availability of a room. Upon mentioning my early check-out, he kindly instructed me to leave the key in the room, locking the door behind me upon departure. While the hotel appeared a bit dated, its cleanliness took precedence and made for a comfortable stay.
Laundry Pranks and Local Hospitality
Upon entering the shop, I proceeded to use the automat for my laundry. Surrounding me were mainly locals, who quickly noticed I was not from the area, resulting in a light-hearted chuckle. The shop manager, in cahoots with another customer, decided to play a prank on me by pretending they were closing at 5 pm, despite it being only 4 pm at the moment. Feigning surprise, I glanced at my watch, eliciting laughter from everyone in the store. The manager quickly revealed it was all in jest, and we shared a laugh together. Their jovial and friendly demeanor made the experience enjoyable.
Seeking to pay for my laundry, I inquired about the process as I couldn’t insert coins or bills. The manager explained that I needed a $5 pass, generously offering me the use of his own. After loading the pass with some of my money and starting the washing machine, I expressed my gratitude before leaving the shop.
Meeting a Local Dutchie
Realizing I had missed the laundromat earlier and needed to turn back, I ventured down the street, noticing various shops along the way. Entering a chocolate shop, I found their products to be a bit too pricey, despite their specialty appeal. Continuing my stroll, I came across a small souvenir shop. With a desire to purchase gifts for my family back home—such as earrings and hairpieces—I browsed their selection. While the items were more expensive than those at the ABC store, I appreciated that they were locally crafted rather than mass-produced in China and Taiwan. Engaging in conversation with the helpful salesgirl, our discussion eventually turned to travel, prompting me to inquire about her origins. “Holland,” she replied with a smile.
We conversed for about 30 minutes in Dutch, delving into topics ranging from our homeland to travel experiences and how she ended up here. Marlien shared a fascinating tale of falling in love with the place years ago. She mentioned the opportunity to swim in the bay with wild dolphins, a revelation that left me feeling a bit saddened as I had discovered it too late—I was leaving the next day. Meeting someone from the Netherlands in Hawaii was a unique experience; Marlien was the first Dutch person I had encountered on the island. Though I had heard there were more on Oahu from fellow hostel dwellers, I always found myself pondering the Dutch presence in various locales. Before parting ways, I handed Marlien my blog card, bid her farewell, and wished her all the best. I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of envy knowing she lived in such a beautiful place. She shared that her entire mindset had shifted: no more stress, worries, or exhausting nine-to-five jobs—just a peaceful and fulfilling existence.
An Evening at the Hotel
Returning to the laundromat, I loaded my clothes into the dryer, with the assistance of the friendly man once more. Following this, I made a quick stop at the supermarket nearby to grab some drinks and snacks for the evening. Twenty minutes later, the dryer completed its cycle, and I sorted out my clothes before heading back to the hotel. There, I indulged in some relaxation, catching up on reports, downloading music, and marveling at the exceptional Wi-Fi connection—the best I had encountered thus far. Around 1 am, I finally retired to bed, setting my alarm for 5:30 am.
