8.15 Hilina Pali (Cliffs) Hike

A word we learned early on in our Hawaiian travels is ‘Pali’—it means cliff. Cliffs are a great
favorite and so we look for them wherever we travel; and as a matter of concern, especially when we walk
along them. On this island, as it is young, a mere million years so they tell us, not much erosion takes
place. It only happens to older lands; hence, not many cliffs on the Big Island. We can attest to this
concept of erosion. Quite a bit is taking place with us, but prematurely it seems. We are nowhere near as
old as Hawaii. Pardon. Not with our editor. Phew! Got that one just in time.

A view of the cliffs

A view from the cliffs

Obviously, displaying too much energy

We hiked down 1,500 feet in 2.2 miles. We then continued along two other trails to complete an
8 mile round trip towards the ocean. The expanse of ocean to each side of our vision was something we
have never seen before. Perhaps the vantage point allows one to follow the coastline for many miles—or maybe,
the hotel industry hasn’t discovered this rainy coastline yet. Interestingly, we hiked up in less time than
it took us to get down.

Our editor had a problem. We wish she’d look at us the way she had her eye on the cliffs for the duration
of the hike. Her brain kept nudging her that she would have this steep finish to look forward to and, at a
time when she had the least energy. For reasons unknown, she communicated this thought for much of the afternoon.
We listened to her rising trepidation and wondered about the lack of confidence. Jenni is strong and courageous
and normally, scales that height before breakfast. We decided to rename our dear editor.

Along with two mountains for which we have enormous liking and respect, Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea,
we have adapted a similar name for our editor to accord her even more love and respect: Moaner Jenni.
We like this trio. However, after completing the climb, we understood her fear as the finish up the cliffs was,
as they say in our newly learned Spanish, El butt kicker.

Energy level fast dissipating

"Our rope is not that long, Jen"

Flap the arms as before—it may give you lift, 'Mauna Jenni'

We meet some very interesting and decent people on our travels although more often than not, off-trail
in Hawaii, as they are infrequently used. When we reached the cliff top, we met and chatted with Barbara and
Jeff, a couple a few years our senior. They hail from Indiana, visiting Hilo to run a half-marathon. Charming
and impressive people they are, an inspiration, too.

The land-grab continues-lava flow area

Finally, the weather again. Stuart Laiken and Gidon Williams laughed (good heartedly, of course)
when we asked them to pray for dry weather for our stay. Man, does it rain on the eastern side of Hawaii.
We placed the dirty laundry in our outside washing machine and noticed it was sunny. We came back inside and
told our editor the good news. She looked out the window and wondered about our mental health—it was raining
again. This happens frequently. We have been fortunate. The places we frequented have been reasonably dry—we
hope it’s not our personalities.

We decided to build our own mountain, more manageable than the cliffs in front, not Babel though.

Cheers,

Jenni and Jeffrey