Shumway's Christmas in Hawaii

Miriam's photo---Our first sunset on Waikiki.

Hello family....This is a bit late being posted. We had a wonderful time in Hawaii for the holiday and wanted to show you pictures....

We left on Monday Dec. 21 and stayed on Ohau for two nights to enjoy the Polynesian Cultural Center and to visit Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial. A highlight on this island was our first evening there....Waikiki emptied out after sunset and we had the beach to ourselves...Ultimate Frisbee in the sand!

We then flew to the "Big Island"....it was like landing on the moon! So different from what "hawaii" looks like in your mind. The ground is barren-solid black lava flow. We stayed on the dry side just north of Kona. But Christmas eve drove around the island to see the active volcano 'Kilaua'. The eruption has slowed since 1997. There are no huge spouts of red flowing lava and if you are lucky you might see some red lava flowing out into the ocean. But it was interesting to learn about volcanoes and the history of the island being formed. We walked thru an ancient lava flow - a tunnel where the lava exited the side of the volcano. There is a new island in the chain being made just off the southeast side of Hawaii. Its name is Lo'ihi. We stayed until after the sunset to see the glow of the lava lake in the Caldera. It was pretty impressive.

Christmas day was spent on Hapuna Beach...great Boogie boarding! It was so fun to just be together and play all day! Our Treasure Hunt was a Sailboat - Snorkeling Cruise, which we took the next day, on the 26th. It was a blast - real highlight for me! We cruised south into Kealakekua Bay - Where Captain Cook first landed in the islands. The Sorkeling was so cool! Even Kate was great at it.

We traveled north to attend Waimea 2nd Ward. It was their Christmas program in Sacrament Meeting-Lee and Kevin joined the Priesthood men in singing a special number.---Then drove to Waipi'o Valley and to visit 'Akaka Falls in the rain forest-drops 420 feet! So impressive! Heather and Kevin hiked to another fall in Waipi'o Valley which is a 1400 foot drop!

We had a wonderful time! When we asked the kids what their favorite thing was out of all we did-most of them said--- just being together! We do love to be all together---but being in Hawaii altogether was great!