Big Island Manta Rays, Hawaiian Culture and Kona Coffee

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NaniThe Big Island of Hawaii is so big that all of the other Hawaiian Islands would fit within its bounds, with room to spare. And the diversity of Big Island natural environments runs the gamut from lunar-like lava flow landscapes, some ancient and others a work in progress, to fourteen thousand-foot-tall volcanic peaks, and lush tropical rainforests.

It’s hard to pick a favorite place to stay on the big Island, as the offerings range from boutique B&Bs and inns to mega resorts. I checked in at the Sheraton Kona Resort and Spa at Keuhou Bay. It’s a full-service resort of the first-order, but it was the locale, and most notably, the people I met that made for the fondest memories. The Sheraton is perched on a bluff-top overlooking the Pacific, with historic Keauhou Bay flanking the starboard side. For myself, a hotel serves as a base camp more than a destination in itself, and I did not have to travel more than a few steps to discover way cool things to see and experience. It’s the Manta Rays that first caught my attention. Just a few yards off the rocks at the Sheraton, Manta Rays—some with a wingspan of 16-feet—feed on plankton. And a most memorable Sheraton experience was a nighttime snorkel with the Manta Rays.

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But an equally memorable and most touching encounter was to meet and spend some quality time with Sheraton Kona’s Hawaiian Ho’okipa Ambassador of Culture and Activities, Nani Kupihe. I will forever remember Nani and her sweet lyrical-way of teaching Hawaiian culture, the ancient history that’s to be found just steps from the guest rooms, and most touchingly Nani’s infectuous Aloha Spirit. A week, or two is needed to experience the plethora of cool things to do on the Big Island, like ziplining, golfing, a day trip to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, a walk on the famed Black Sand beach, helicopter flight seeing, and more. Just a short hop down the road from the Sheraton is Kona Historical Society’s, Kona Coffee Living History farm, the onetime home of the Uchida Coffee farm founded in 1900. It is a fascinating showcase of how Kona coffee was grown and harvested by the pioneering Japanese farmers.

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sunset at Sheraton Kona
Sunset over the Pacific at Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa. Photo Credit: Tom Wilmer
Lobby at Sheraton Kona
Main Lobby at Sheraton Kona. Photo Credit: Tom Wilmer
Dramatic Lobby at Sheraton Kona
The Grand Vista at Sheraton Kona. Photo Credit: Tom Wilmer
Great vistas at Sheraton Kona
Timeless Scenes at Sheraton Kona. Photo Credit: Tom Wilmer
Sunset at Sheraton Kona
Dreamy Sunset View at Sheraton Kona. Photo Credit: Tom Wilmer
 Ambassador of Culture and Activities, Nani Kupihe
Sheraton Kona’s Hawaiian Ho’okipa Ambassador of Culture and Activities, Nani Kupihe. Photo Credit: Tom Wilmer
Nani looking for Menihuni
Nani searching for Menehune at Sheraton Kona. Photo Credit: Tom Wilmer
Keuhou Bay
View from Sheraton Kona Resort and Spa at Keuhou Bay. Photo Credit: Tom Wilmer
flowers at Sheraton Kona
Tropical flowers abound at Sheraton Kona. Photo Credit: Tom Wilmer
Kona Coffee Farm Photo Credit: Tom Wilmer
Kona Coffee Farm Photo Credit: Tom Wilmer
Kona Coffee farm
Processing shed at Kona Coffee farm. Photo Credit: Tom Wilmer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE NPR PODCAST

 

1926 gas engine at Kona Coffee farm
Circa-1926 gas engine at Kona Coffee Farm. Photo Credit: Tom Wilmer

 

Uchida stencil at Kona Coffee Farm
Uchida Family’s copper stencil for marking coffee sacks at Kona Coffee farm. Photo Credit: Tom Wilmer
Ryan Nakata at Kona Coffee Farm
Ryan Nakata inspecting coffee beans drying at Kona Historical Society’s Uchida Family Farm. Rains Coming? No problem, the roof closes on rollers when protection is needed. Photo Credit: Tom Wilmer

 

Nani Kupihe
Ho’okipa Ambassador of Culture and Activities, Nani Kupihe. Photo Credit: Tom Wilmer
Nani Kupehi at SheratonKona
Ho’okipa Ambassador of Culture and Activities, Nani Kupihe. Photo Credit: Tom Wilmer