Hilo, Hawaii

We drove to Hilo, the state capital and largest Hawaiian city after Honolulu. To get there we drive through the Volcano National Park where the highway climbs to 4,024 feet above sea level.
Hilo is touted as the wettest town in the USA as it receives 128 inches of rain annually.
Rainbow Falls just outside Hilo












Lunch Cafe Pesto go over to their website and listen to a great rendition of Somewhere Over The Rainbow sung by the Bruddah Iz.



My Ahi (yellowfin tuna) poke.Wikipedia states the following:Modern poke typically consists of cubed ʻahi (yellowfin tuna) sashimi marinated with sea salt, a small amount of soy sauce, inamona (roasted crushed candlenut), sesame oil, limu seaweed, and chopped chili pepper.  
Another article on poke's origins.



An amazing steak sandwich made with beef tenderloins.



Liliuokalani Gardens in Hilo, located on Banyon drive next to Coconut Island. We always visit this park to walk around the beautiful and tranquil 34 acre Japanese garden. The ornamental gardens are named for Queen Liliuokalani, a Hawaiian monarch, and dedicated to the many Japanese immigrants living in Hilo. The garden was created in the early 1900's and is said to be the largest Edo style garden outside of Japan. The garden is planned around the Waihonu Pond with bridges, pagodas, and stone lanterns lining walking paths. Trees, flowering bushes, bamboo glades, and acres of green grass fill the park. A traditional Japanese tea house stands in the middle of the park.











Banyan tree