Driving through the lava fields of North Kona, you’ll see signs like these:
After coffee companies stopped using donkeys for transportation, they turned them loose, and a herd of wild donkeys roamed the fields. They apparently picked up the nickname “Kona nightingales” from their, uh, “singing.” They’ve since been moved up to greener—and less traveled— pastures on the lower slopes of Mauna Kea, but the signs remain.
One can only assume the Kona nightingales were the inspiration for Surfin’ Ass Coffee Company and their signature island confection:
For the record: 1-inch macadamia nuts dipped in chocolate.
Day 3: Painted Church…
We spend the morning touring coffee farms and The Painted Church. The afternoon is spent frolicking at Ke’ei beach and ends with spectacular sunset. Who could ask for more?…