There seems to be a mild case of panic in some quarters about the potential threat of nuclear radiation from the troubled Japanese nuclear reactors.
In fact, health stores all around the country are reporting that they are completely sold out of potassium iodide as U.S. consumers have been frantically buying up the supply.
In a televised speech yesterday, President Obama reassured the US public that there is no need to panic:
“I know that many Americans are also worried about the potential risks to the United States. So I want to be very clear: We do not expect harmful levels of radiation to reach the United States, whether it’s the West Coast, Hawaii, Alaska, or U.S. territories in the Pacific. Let me repeat that: We do not expect harmful levels of radiation to reach the West Coast, Hawaii, Alaska, or U.S. territories in the Pacific. That is the judgment of our Nuclear Regulatory Commission and many other experts.
Furthermore, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and public health experts do not recommend that people in the United States take precautionary measures beyond staying informed. And going forward, we will continue to keep the American people fully updated — because I believe that you must know what I know as President.”
Further, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued the following statement:
“Given the thousands of miles between the two countries, Hawaii, Alaska, the U.S. Territories and the U.S. West Coast are not expected to experience any harmful levels of radioactivity.”
I suppose it is natural to fear the effects of radiation from such a disaster. However, I don’t think this event is going to keep me from any travel plans, or even from barbecuing in my backyard.
To me, there is just something about a hammock hanging between two trees overlooking the ocean. A hammock embodies a spirit of relaxation and beacons passerby’s to come lay a spell.
I caught this particular hammock at the Kona Village Resort on Hawaii, the Big Island. I must admit, I had a very difficult time ignoring the siren’s call of the hammock as I walked by.
To see a larger version, simply click the photograph. I hope you enjoy.
As a matter of rule, we don’t talk about activities on our site that we have not personally experienced. However, in our minds, this is likely the best snorkeling on Hawaii, the Big Island, and we were shut out by a severe thunderstorm. ACK!
Located just 12 miles south of Kailua-Kona, Kealakekua Bay is a Marine Life Conservation District perfect for snorkeling, scuba diving, and kayaking. The bay’s brilliant waters are filled with coral and schools of tropical fish. On occasion, you can even see spinner dolphins swimming in the bay. If you want to stay dry, there is a picnic area to relax and enjoy this historic spot.
Kealakekua Bay is not a place that you can merely hop in your car and drive to. It is accessed by a variety of marine transportation options, and we were hooked up for a five-hour “Beat the Crowd” adventure with the folks at Captain Zodiac.
After a wonderful storm-filled night in our Kona Village Resort beach-side, thatch-roofed bungalow, I called the folks at Captain Zodiac and they were sad to announce that they were going to have to, in a rare and uncommon move, cancel our day’s adventure due to very rough and stormy seas. Wimper, wimper!
Well, I figure that just because we didn’t get to go, that doesn’t mean we should keep it a secret from you.
We’ll be back next year, and you can rest assured that we will be snorkeling atop the azure waters of Kealakekua Bay.
Our hearts are feeling heavy today for our new friends at Kona Village Resort on Hawaii, the Big Island. On March 10th, a tsunami marched ashore and clobbered this much beloved resort creating damage to 20 of their hales as well as other infrastructure damage.
Remarkably, all this happened a mere two weeks after our awe-inspiring stay at this magical resort.
While we thank God that no harm came to staff and guests, our thoughts and prayers go out to the folks at Kona Village Resort as they begin the daunting task of putting the resort back together.
From Kona Village Resort:
“On March 10, 2011, the staff of Kona Village Resort safely evacuated all guests after a tsunami warning generated by a magnitude 8.9 earthquake that occurred off the coast of Japan. Our guests were taken to an evacuation site where they were carefully looked after by Resort staff. All are safe and there were no reported injuries. As the resort did sustain some damage due to the water surge, we have closed Kona Village Resort to insure that we will be ready to welcome our guests and be fully operational.”
Here is a recent video of Patrick Fitzgerald, CEO of Kona Village Resort, as he talks about the evacuation and damages sustained at the resort. The video is from Big Island Video News.com and was produced by Visionary Video.
Kona Village Resort ~ Kailua Kona, Hawaii – We have been privileged to stay in some of the world’s best resorts over the course of the last year. However, with the Kona Village Resort, we have found a property that we both would easily put in our top handful of properties.
Imagine a thatch-roofed bungalow sitting upon centuries old black lava belched from the nearly 14,000 ft. volcano visible outside your back door. Further, imagine that your bungalow is sitting under waving palm trees, only 50 yards from the ocean, with an absolutely spellbinding view of the ocean replete with scores of migrating humpback whales breaching in the sun.
As I sit here desperately trying to find words to describe our experience, I find myself nearly mute and forlorn in a great desire to return to the porch of our Hawaiian bungalow on the ocean.
Kona Village Resort opened in 1965 and occupies 82 private acres along the Big Island’s Kohala Coast. Once the site of an ancient Hawaiian fishing village, the resort is now home to 125 thatched-roof bungalows called hale (pronounced ha-lay), nestled around lush tropical lagoons and pristine white and black sand beaches.
To further the magic of this tropical setting, the hales, while providing all the niceties that a luxury baby boomer traveler would expect, are completely void of technology. It’s just you, your lover, your hale, the breeze, and a stunningly beautiful setting.
On one evening we watched a rare lightening storm over nearby Maui from our deck. The following evening we watched the black skies become filled with sparkling stars from the hot tub on our deck.
Fond Memories
Our first impression of the resort was a beautiful Hawaiian girl presenting us with flowered leis, and then finding ourselves gobsmacked as we surveyed the property on the way to our private bungalow in paradise.
Our bungalow had quite possibly the best deck view on the planet. If it’s available, request unit LT 9.
The best food we have ever experienced in an all-inclusive resort.
Sunset dinner, on the beach, under tiki torches at Hale Samoa. Unbelievable sit-down dining with Executive Chef Mark Tsuchiyama’s creative French Polynesian cuisine.
Snorkeling in the reefs just yards away from the resort’s salt and pepper sand beach.
Watching whales and dolphins parade by our bungalow each day.
Walking on centuries old black lava, and watching the waves crash upon it.
Breathing the cleanest air on earth.
Listening to the ocean waves crashing just yards from my bed each night.
The incredible, service orientated staff. Every single person, even the grounds people, went out of their way to make your stay memorable.
One of the most authentic Luau’s we have ever experienced.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: experience is what luxury baby boomer travelers are most looking for. The Kona Village Resort gave us experience in spades, and will certainly come forth when people ask us about our favorite destinations.
If I had ten thumbs, they would all be raised high in the sky. Kona Village Resort is amazing, and we give it our highest recommendation.
Disclosure: this incredible experience was provided by the very kind folks at the Kona Village Resort. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you! Furthermore, a portion of our travel expenses were provided by the Hawaiian Visitors and Convention Bureau. Thanks Hawaii. We love you!
Special Notice: sadly, the Kona Village Resort experienced some damage as a result of the tsunami from the recent Japanese earthquake. As a result, Kona Village Resort is closed and not taking reservations until repairs have been made. Please check their website for further information. Once reservations are again accepted, I will remove this special notice.
The Roaming Boomers
There seems to be a mild case of panic in some quarters about the potential threat of nuclear radiation from the troubled Japanese nuclear reactors.
