Thanks to Mike Boucher for contributing this photo of the rarely seen Napo'opo'o Light at Cook Point on the west coast of the big island of Hawaii. He reports that the walk to the lighthouse is two miles down a 2000-foot mountain. Here is Mike's description of his visit:
"I started around 5:00 in the morning and drove to Napo'opo'o Road off Highway 11 north of the town of Captain Cook. After an hour plus of looking for this road or trail and almost being attacked by dogs and an angry home owner I found the trail. A lady on her way to work pointed out the path that led to Kaawaloa Road. I started walking in grass that was at least 7-feet tall. The trail was tree lined for about a quarter of the way down. The next two quarters of the way down was just nasty, steep, crushed, loose lava rock with some drop-offs. The last quarter of the trail was level and tree lined. I walked on the lava rock to the edge of the Pacific Ocean next to a blow hole and ate my breakfast. What a view to eat breakfast at! The lighthouse was a disappointment, only a 22-foot concrete tower with no out buildings. In the photo you can see some cement piling for some type of building in the background. After taking several photos I walked over to the Captain Cook Monument and met several boaters."
Mike adds that the return trip was a steep and wearying climb: bring plenty of water!
Photo copyright 2003 Mike Boucher; all rights reserved. Used by permission.
