Guest Blog by Allison Schow, an undergraduate student majoring in International Studies at the University of Utah.
Since I've been contemplating the idea of sustainable tourism more lately, I recall one of the best experiences I had taking a kayak trip across Kealakekua Bay on the Kona side of the Big Island of Hawaii.It was July of 1996 and I was traveling with my husband at the time, my two daughters and a stepdaughter who were 12, 13, and 14. We were told about a local woman, Betsy Morrigan, who was offering small group tours across the bay in 2-person open hull kayaks. We contacted her and she told us she could accommodate the girls with a guide for one of them and the other two with either her, or a parent, so they would not have to be two alone trying to paddle to whole way. Our trip would take about half a day and she would provide lunch and snorkel equipment for all of us. Our launching point would be from the Puuhonua O' Honaunau National Historic Park on the western coast, south of Kailua Kona. We would cross the bay, which is a marine life conservation district, and stop for lunch and snorkeling after 45 minutes or so at the monument where Captain James Cook landed in the Hawaiian Islands and where he was later killed following a nasty spat with native Hawaiians.
Kealakekua Bay is surrounded by steep mountains covered with dense green tropical foliage and topped by clouds that build and billow and then dissipate.
Since I've been contemplating the idea of sustainable tourism more lately, I recall one of the best experiences I had taking a kayak trip across Kealakekua Bay on the Kona side of the Big Island of Hawaii.It was July of 1996 and I was traveling with my husband at the time, my two daughters and a stepdaughter who were 12, 13, and 14. We were told about a local woman, Betsy Morrigan, who was offering small group tours across the bay in 2-person open hull kayaks. We contacted her and she told us she could accommodate the girls with a guide for one of them and the other two with either her, or a parent, so they would not have to be two alone trying to paddle to whole way. Our trip would take about half a day and she would provide lunch and snorkel equipment for all of us. Our launching point would be from the Puuhonua O' Honaunau National Historic Park on the western coast, south of Kailua Kona. We would cross the bay, which is a marine life conservation district, and stop for lunch and snorkeling after 45 minutes or so at the monument where Captain James Cook landed in the Hawaiian Islands and where he was later killed following a nasty spat with native Hawaiians.
Kealakekua Bay is surrounded by steep mountains covered with dense green tropical foliage and topped by clouds that build and billow and then dissipate.
The water is deep and blue and calm. The girls managed to paddle quite efficiently after a bit of instruction from Betsy and her local guide. They felt safe in their life jackets and I felt good that their beginner level of paddling was acknowledged and respected.
We set out as a group and everyone was smiling. We got into a rhythmic paddling and slipped across the bay as the sun warmed our backs and reached its midday height. We weren't racing across the water in a noisy ski boat or jostling about on a crowded snorkel tour boat. it was just our own physical power that took us to a quiet cove where we landed and took a cool swim. We enjoyed snorkeling and viewing the sea life of the bay. Betsy had made sandwiches for our group with a special homemade guacamole spread seasoned with homegrown jalapeno peppers!
While we ate lunch and relaxed, Betsy told us a little about the history of the Hawaiian people and their encounter with Capt. Cook. She told us how strongly she felt about preserving the natural flora and fauna of the Hawaiian islands and that is what led her to starting her kayak tours. She was able to provide employment to a few locals that knew the area and take advantage of the opportunity to educate tourists about Hawaii.
My teenage girls were enthralled at the adventure of paddling across the bay and going to the monument only accessible by water. Certainly not everyone gets to do that, right! They were also intrigued with such a knowledgeable and capable woman as Betsy Morrigan. Fifteen years later they still remember her and the beautiful Hawaiian morning we spent on Kealakekua Bay. When we took our tour with Betsy Morrigan in 1996, her business operated under the name of Kayak Historical Discovery Tours. I've done some investigating and it looks like Betsy has sold her company and it now operates under the name Hawaii Pack and Paddle. I've looked at their website, www.hawaiipackandpaddle.com, and it looks like the same high quality eco-tour is their signature offering. I highly recommend this type of tour to the traveler who wants to unique way to experience Hawaii's natural beauty.
My teenage girls were enthralled at the adventure of paddling across the bay and going to the monument only accessible by water. Certainly not everyone gets to do that, right! They were also intrigued with such a knowledgeable and capable woman as Betsy Morrigan. Fifteen years later they still remember her and the beautiful Hawaiian morning we spent on Kealakekua Bay. When we took our tour with Betsy Morrigan in 1996, her business operated under the name of Kayak Historical Discovery Tours. I've done some investigating and it looks like Betsy has sold her company and it now operates under the name Hawaii Pack and Paddle. I've looked at their website, www.hawaiipackandpaddle.com, and it looks like the same high quality eco-tour is their signature offering. I highly recommend this type of tour to the traveler who wants to unique way to experience Hawaii's natural beauty.
RSS Feed