Hilo Coastline

Hilo has many miles of accessible coastline.  Inside the bay most are smooth grey sand.  South of the bay most are black (and sharp) lava like this one.  The nice white sand beach exception is Onekahakaha where a almost solid rock reef protects the sand.  If the tide is in it is a calm place to swim but when the tide is out it gets too shallow.
We have snorkled some of these but Kapoho is so much nicer for both fish and clarity that it is worth the longer drive south.

Green sea turtles are common all over Hawaii but we are sometimes surprised at what rough waves they will feed it.  This one is resting in shallow water.  Often they will be seen on very crowded beaches.  Sometimes we see them as small as 12" but most are around 36" long and 32" wide.

Banyan Drive, along the bay in Hilo is lined with giant Ficus trees like this one that Myrna is standing in front of.  The common ficus leaves are small.  The large leaves you see here a kind of philodendron vine.
There is at least one true Banyan towards the North end of Banyan Drive which has a larger leaf and prop roots.  Yes, this is only ONE tree in the picture.

    




 Here I am standing in front of the hotel that Myrna stayed in for two months while our house deal was closing.  The other end of the building is nearly within fishing pole reach of the bay.  Rent by the week or month was quite reasonable.