The stunning part was the rapid loss in elevation as we drove over the lava striped escarpments.
The petroglyphs date back to ancient Hawaiian tradition of leaving the umbilical cord of the child in the rock to assure long life.
Below we saw the ocean as it slammed into the lava coast sending spray onto us apx 80 feet above.
We went on to the Thurston lava tube. This is an enormous tunnel left behind by molten lava running through and out of solidified lava. Like a soda straw made of lava. The rainforest surrounding the tube was the most spectacular we saw in the park.
From there we hiked the popular 4 mile Kilauea iki trail which begins and ends in forest and crosses an enormous and steaming lava crater that erupted Nov 1959.
Lunch at the visitor center brought a welcome donation of fresh local pineapple from a nice group of folks from Arizona. We traded them our greatest hits list for the park.
We headed out from lunch on the Sulphur banks trail that boasted steaming vents and sulphur crystals. Gave good memories of Yellowstone. 
The lava tube from the day before was too good to miss a second visit.
On the way we saw this:
We traveled to the end, maybe 300 feet which feels like forever in an unknown, black, silent place.
We found this beauty near the end and took some effort to decide so far as animal, vegetable, mineral. My deduction is fungus. It was a wonderful mystery.
On our way to Manago hotel we stopped at a Black sand beach and gasped when we noted there was a turtle laying right there on the sand.
The hotel is a lovely gem. Started in 1917 by a Japanese couple. Only one year after the park opened. Thank you Wayne for the recommendation. Clean rooms and well priced. We are excited to tour the bonsai garden tomorrow. But more excited for showers and bed.
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