Konaweana like most schools here in Hawaii has an elementary, middle, and high school all on the same grounds. Of course the different levels of education are split up by street. But unlike most schools, Konaweana once stood as a Covent. Oh the Convent is still around, as a matter of fact so is the graveyard.

On your way to the district of Ka'u, you will pass by many homes and commercial structures. You will also pass by many graveyards. The school itself now sits on the site where the first missionaries to Hawaii built their church and set up the graveyard. The church and graves were moved closer to the main road. When turning at the light to go up the hill, it seems like you would be driving into a tree line, but then just around the bend the school is seen. The Convent moved to the right of the campus, and has a huge stone wall to keep people out. A banyan tree grows tall behind the chain linked fence. And although it all seems like an old urban ledge, mark my words, the place is haunted.

After school some say even the ghosts have paper work to do. The secretary often finds the fax machine running with out anything to fax. Or the flag being raised, but the flag is sitting on her desk. There is also the case of the black dog.

Any big home game this mysterious black mutt of a dog finds its way into the gym. The coach has had many episodes where he had locked the dog inside the gym, when he starts to unlock the door the dog bolts into the basketball court, or locker room. When the coach leaves the dog in the gym, it's said that The Wild Cats win games.

But don't ask the little girl in the bathroom at the bottom of the stairs that lead to the high school what she thinks. She never speaks. You can see her as clear as day, looking into the mirror, but when she turns around to look at you, she's gone.

Or you might be the brave soul to spend some time at Hapuna. Although it does have police that patrol the road, even they have seen some things not natural surfacing in the lapping waves of this crystal prestine beach. Maybe a ghostly encounter while shore line fishing. My husband went to the cliffs by Hapuna one night. He came back shortly after he had left. (About 2 hours) When he came home he told me of the people splashing in the water. They swam over to where he had thrown his line. He told me how they jerked at his line until it came out of his hands. When he went down the cliff to find his rod, it was broken into three pieces, and there was no sign of anyone being down there.

Spend the night at the Outrigger Hotel in Kona and hear the howls of a fallen British Captain's dogs. The beach was once the scene of a great battle between the Hawaiian people and the English soildgers. The Hawaiians captured and killed 153 British men including the Captian. The dogs were his loyal companions went every where with him, except the grave. They died from starvation. Many guest's complain about the shore side rooms. The wind you may think, but not to those who know the bloody history.

Although some may say that ghosts don't exist, but I say they do. And if you have the guts to find out, I have a couch with your name on it. But don't ask me to go.

During the winter months it is not uncommon to watch a 40 ton whale breach offshore or for turtles to come on shore and bask in the sun. However tempting it may be to just reach out and touch the forbidden animals please don't.

Most commercial operators abide by federal law intended to protect Hawaii's marine mammals and turtles from harassment, injury and death. Many fishermen slow down and even stop the boat when whales are near by as to not hit them.

It is not against the law for an animal to approach you, but it is against the law to approach, chase, surround, touch or even swim with marine mammals, that's including dolphins.

I am talking about wild untamed animals of the deep. The Hilton at Waikoloa has dolphins that are trained and bread in captivity and they abide by all laws and regulations as to the well being of the animals.

Most important do not feed the wild marine mammals. It interferes with their natural instincts. If they learn to be feed, it is quite possible for the animal to become aggressive when food is not given which may cause injury and death.

Most snorkel cruises once allowed guests to feed the fish in order to get up close and personal with the animals. However they became dependant on the feedings and soon died from starvation. The dead fish lured unwanted visitors such as the tiger shark into areas populated with people. Beaches closed and feeding became a thing of the past.

There are scores of businesses that cater to dolphin and whale watching, as well as snorkel cruises. Look around for the best price. You won't be disappointed. But remember to stay at least 100 feet away from the whales. After all a 15 foot pectoral fin means a 40 ton mammal is attached and if the whale jumps it just might capsize a small vessel. It is wise to stay at least 50 yards from dolphins. Although they are fascinating to see and watch, dolphins are unpredictable and may bite or ram if they are searching for a mate.

Protection of marine wildlife is of the utmost importance. Laws are enforced, illegal actives are prosecuted and fines are administered.

I was 6 years old when the mission was broadcasted across the television and over head speaker system at my school. The moment has been forever frozen in time in several states nation wide, including Hawaii.

When most people think of the explosion they remember the first civilian, a teacher who was selected to travel into the depths of space. Not in Hawaii. Ellison S. Onizuka is the person Hawaii remembers and honors.

Col. Onizuka was one of the eight crew members who fate was to perished on that fatal flight. Born in the Kona area on the Big Island of Hawaii, he was chosen from over 8000 candidates as one of the 35 astronaut recruits. Onizuka was Hawaii's first astronaut, and to honor him the Ellison S. Onizuka Space Center was erected.

If you travel to the Big Island and are arriving or departing from the Keahole Airport in Kona or just passing through the area stop by and see this one of a kind Museum. Operated by friends and family of Onizuka, they express fondness and honor for their relative who so bravely dared to go where none of them have dared to tread. Frozen moments in time of Onizuka's life hang silently from the walls. Family and friends remember his as a kind and friendly, always willing to go the extra mile for strangers.

Pictures of not only Onizuka, but the crew of the Challenger lines the walls. This small but informative and innovative museum tests your skills as you manipulate the hand held controls of The Manned Maneuvering Unit replica to rendezvous with an object in space. You can launch a miniature space shuttle or log on to the space shuttle computer program.

The museum is just right of the check in terminals. There will be a small fee at the door and the museum takes about an hour to explore. So if you are in the area check it out and learn why Hawaii is so dedicated to the night skies and of the life and death of Hawaii's first Astronaut.

With unexpected waterfalls and cliffs 100 feet and higher, driving the long way the Hamakua Coast line is amazing. It also allows you to visit side attractions such as Akaka Falls and see Lapahoehoe point.

Once you enter Hilo you might think to yourself, “This is it?” Down town Hilo consists of wide open lush green parks as a reminder of the tsunamis that devastated this once tin roofed agriculture community. In 1946 and again in 1960 tsunamis battered this area claiming more than 220 lives.

These huge waves can reach amazing speeds up to 500 miles an hour over thousands of miles of open water. On April 1, 1946, tsunami waves generated by an earthquake in Aleutian Islands raced 2,300 miles in five hours sending a 25 foot wall of water bashing into the coast of Hilo. Striking with little to no warning this massive wave took the lives of 159 people and destroyed more than 1,300 homes and business.

Fourteen years later, on May 22, 1960 an earthquake off the coast of Chile sent tsunami waves ripping through the Pacific at 442 miles an hour. It only took 15 hours before Hilo would see the 35 foot wave. Yanking building off their foundation and leaving 61 people dead, Hilo never recovered.

Thus when driving into Hilo and you are greeted with wide open spaces of green fields think about it for a moment. This once was the business center of Hilo. It once was a place for traders and fishermen. From Kamehameha Avenue, downtown to the shores of Wailoa River near Banyan Drive evidence of these massive unexpected waves can be seen and respected.

And so words to live by; never turn your back to the ocean. You never know when a huge wave may come to claim yet other victim. If the sea surges inland or retreats out to sea, quickly move to higher ground. That is a major indication of something coming your way. There is not a tsunami season. They can and usually will happen without warning. Pay attention to the evacuations signs posted around the coast. And don't stay where you are thinking it will be a great shot or awesome story to tell when you get home, the point is you might not make it home if a tsunami hits.

However the best times to dine at the Steak House are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Sundays are the days that the restaurant is usually out of their world famous Ribs as well as a few other things. Friday and Saturday nights are of course the busiest and it is possible for major delays from the kitchen. So if dinning on these days remember, the waitress is not a battering ram nor responsible for the delay. So please be patient.

Besides those few draw backs the staff is friendly and informative. Those who travel to the Big Island for vacation should check out the Big Island Steak even if for a few drinks to find spots to visit that aren't in the travel guides.

Like anywhere else, the locals know best. So keep in mind if some of the warnings they give you. Remember they live here and if you want the most of your vacation their recommendations are for your safety.

The food ranges from of course Filets, Ribs, Chicken, and they serve up some pretty tasty seafood dishes caught daily. Some of the fish include Mahi Mahi, Ono, and Hebi. The Steak House also serves Alaskan king crab legs which can be added to any entrée. Great pastas are avaliable and the restaurant is family oriented including coloring supplies for the keiki's. They are currently working to provide a well organized wine list and trying to explore new mixed drinks for those 21 and over.

With a view of Mauna Kea and the reflection of the moon off the King's Pond what better way to have breakfast, lunch and dinner? The Big Island Steak House is open from 7 am till 2pm for breakfast and lunch. The Merry Wahine Bar is open upstairs for a light snack from 2 pm till 5 pm. Dinner is served from 5:30 till 9:30pm seven days a week. Open all year round.