Hawaii: Mauna Kea Beach

It’s been raining off-and-on in Waimea for the past few days. This morning the breeze-blown chilly fine mist drove me indoors while I tried to do my usual outdoor morning pages.

But the Big Island is a place of contrasts, and only 20 minutes away from here is the second-driest place in the US (after Death Valley). We headed out there yesterday to Mauna Kea Beach, considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the country. It fronts the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, but there is public access.

I spent my time on the beach writing, but Erik made a drawing:

And here is the closest thing I can give you to the beach itself: 46 seconds of waves and view.

12 Comments

tamgerines 1 February 2013 at 12:35 pm

2nd driest place in the US?!?! that doesn’t fit with my view of hawaii 🙂

1. satsumaart 1 February 2013 at 1:30 pm
  
  I know, I was surprised too! Especially since the part of the island where we are is quite wet year-round. 🙂
  
Munira 5 February 2013 at 7:27 am

Looks idyllic 🙂

1. satsumaart 5 February 2013 at 9:55 am
  
  It was, though I’m always a little uncomfortable around fancy resorts, as if the staff and guests can sense that I’m out of my usual milieu. 😉
  
  1. Munira 5 February 2013 at 10:26 pm
    
    Omg, that’s EXACTLY how I feel too!
    
    1. satsumaart 6 February 2013 at 10:15 am
      
      Good to know I’m not the only one!!
      
aga 5 February 2013 at 11:26 am

wow Lisa, you have got so much sun there. I hope you enjoy it. p.s. very nice and delicate drawing

1. satsumaart 6 February 2013 at 10:17 am
  
  I did enjoy the sun, though it left us both with a bit of a burn. Thankfully our skin is recovering now! And thank you for the compliments on Erik’s drawing — he’s really a good artist. 🙂
  
ewurabasempe 10 February 2013 at 7:07 am

Lisa
thanks for sharing the images. i was thinking…this woman is getting lots of sun! i hope her skin is coping 😀
happy sunning; glad your skins are healing

1. satsumaart 10 February 2013 at 8:55 am
  
  Hee. Yes, and there’s nothing like a burn to make me more vigilant about sunscreen. ;b It’s funny to get so much sun and yet it’s not always warm here — this morning I’m wearing merino long underwear and a silk scarf to sit outside (because the breezes are so chilly)!
  
Single Malt Monkey 13 February 2013 at 1:29 am

Damn, it’s tough, ain’t it ?! 🙂 Erik’s drawing is cool too.

1. satsumaart 18 February 2013 at 4:35 pm
  
  Ha, yes, this was definitely the most stereotypically “relaxing island holiday” thing we did while here. 🙂 And since I’m not much of a beach person, the once was enough for me!
  
  I like Erik’s drawings too, always. 🙂