Hawai`i 2009: Day 20

This morning we ventured over to the Mauna Loa Macademia Nut factory, near the Panaewa Zoo. As far as we know, it is the largest mac nut manufacturer. We began by browsing the visitor center, which is mostly a gift shop (with free samples). Then we took the self-guided tour of the factory, where we peered through glass to watch the workers and machinery. There were videos to go along with each stations (ie, salting, sorting, glazing, packaging, etc).



It was neat to see the nuts move along the assembly and shoot down slides. I love those shows on the Travel Channel that go inside candy factories to learn how it's all made, and this felt sort of like that experience (without voice over).



On the 3 mile drive toward the factory, we passed many mac nut tree. Mac nuts can only be harvested once they have fallen to the ground. They then have to have both their husks and shells removed before moving along in the process for consumption.



Taste buds aroused, we headed into Hilo for one final stop at Basically Books. We both had a heck of a time deciding on books for the flight home. I ended up going with a collection of stories by Jack London describing his time in Hawai`i and a novel by a local Big Island author. Dan found a book about a couple who move to the Big Island from the mainland and try to live off the grid (and learn it's not so easy).

After going into Pahoa for daily errands for so many days, it felt comforting to be back in Hilo (the "big city"). We had lunch at Cronie's again, and I ended up eating another Caesar salad (this time, with chicken). The food and drinks were great, but more than anything we were craving that Hilo hospitality. Perhaps it just comes with living in a port town and wanting to please the customer for the sake of business. People in Hilo seem to be the friendliest, and happiest people on the island.



After lunch we perused a massive furniture store before zipping over to the Lyman Museum to use our rain check. We viewed the upstairs with a more careful eye, and even wandered through the downstairs exhibits again. The staff there was friendly as always, though we were unable to figure out if Dan's cousin still works there as no one seemed to know.



I had so much energy today that I went running twice. We enjoyed our L&L leftovers and the remainders of our desserts from Island Naturals.

Tomorrow will be our last full day on the Big Island. We haven't decided how to spend it just yet, but a portion of it will be designated for packing and cleaning up the house.