About me: You haven't cruised till you cruise in Hawaii!
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Cruise Paradise in 2009!
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“Cruise Paradise 2006“
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by M.B. Rosario
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“Cruise Paradise 2006” was 16 days of cruising on the Big Island of Hawaii, June 21, 2006 to July 7, 2006. About 250 streetrods attended the events, some shipped in from other islands and the mainland. Shipping our ‘34 Ford Vicky from California was our biggest concern. As it turned out, it was easy and safe. We loaded our own streetrods into containers at the port of Oakland; the container was closed and sealed. Seven days later, in Hilo, Hawaii, the containers were opened and we drove our streetrods out. The Oakland port terminal manger was a streetrodder and most of the Hilo port terminal workers were family or friends of local streetrodders, so everyone knew how special the streetrods are. Round trip shipping cost was about the same as a rent-a-car would’ve been for the trip. Matson Shipping gave everyone a great deal. We did take out voyage insurance; most car insurance’s don’t cover you over water, just in case!
Members of The Hawaii Classic Car Cruisers, the local car club in Hilo, along with Nelson Parker from Motorhead magazine, greeted us at the Hilo airport and took us to the port to get the streetrods. This was a real nice touch!
The Cruise Paradise travel agent had arranged ocean front rooms in Hilo and Kailua-Kona. The Hilo Hawaiian Hotel reserved parking spaces for us in the underground parking and had security to keep an eye on the streetrods. In Kailua-Kona, we parked on the tennis courts a few nights and what a sight that was. The parking lot was gated with security.
First eight days, the events were in Hilo. The Prince Kuhio Shopping Plaza was the gathering site for show-n-shines and registration, with daily cruises left from there. A show-n-shine block-party was held downtown Hilo. The main street of Hilo was blocked off for parking and across the street in the park were local food booths, a farmer’s market, venders and live entertainment. The first of the, poker-walk took place there. Prizes for the two poker-walks were trips to Las Vegas, and the poker-runs were each, $1000.00 cash. It’s always good to make friends with the local Cops…. and Hilo’s were having fun looking at the cars.
The Hawaii Classic Car Cruisers were our guides in Hilo and took us on cruises to the Kalapana Coast, Verna’s Drive-in, Mauna Loa Mac Nut factory, The Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, The Volcano Winery, the Hamakua coast, Honokaa Town, Waipio Valley Look-out, Tex Drive-Inn, Laupahpehoe Town and Laupahpehoe Point, Akaka Falls State park, Back to the ‘50’s Diner and also put on a “Local Style Pot Luck” for all of us.
A poker-run along the southern route of the island took us to Kailua-Kona and ended at the Old A’s ball field with a show-n-shine, music, food and the first $1000.00 poker-run prize given away.
The Kailua-Kona cruises started with a cruise to Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park, also known as, The City of Refuge. As we walked around the park you could see Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles, “Honu” feeding in the shallow water. The historic Saint Benedicts Painted Church was a beautiful stop. The Kona side of the island has coffee plantations and a cruise went to one of them.
The Ali’I Drive Block Party, downtown Kailua-Kona had about 200 cars! What a sight! Two stages were set up with live entertainment and a poker-walk took past all the cars and the outstanding views of the beach and harbor.
The next poker-run cruise went north along the Kawaihae coast then inland to Waimea Town and ended in Hawi Town with a 60’s Sock Hop. The whole town turned out and decorated the gym and flew in the entertainment from Oahu. The group, “Touch of Gold,” was terrific, and they had the place rocking! The park across the street was full of food and craft booths. Another $1,000.00 cash poker-run prize was given away.
Herbert Leite, Pat & Renee Crivello, Leonard & Debra Luiz and Darryl Turner were just a few of The Hawaii Classic Car Cruisers that guided us around the beautiful island of Hawaii and made us feel like family. On every cruise, they had a chase-car, to make sure no one got lost and if you broke down, a shop trailer, with mechanics available. Great touch by The Hawaii Classic Car Cruisers.
We participated in the 4th of July parade in Kailua-Kona, the street was crammed with people. At the end of the parade the cars parked in the Hale Halawai Beach Park, right on the water so you had front row seats for the fireworks. The give-a-way T-bucket was on display and the drawing for it was held downtown Kailua-Kona after the parade.
The trip back to Hilo was the northern, inland route, to Waimea Town and through Parker Ranch, then south with a stop at the 50’s Highway Fountain Diner, in Lauphoehoe for an early lunch.
A Luau, at Aunty Sally’s Luau House ended this Cruise of a lifetime. A band played while we had dinner, then the entertainment started. The dancers were outstanding! They really put on a nice show and everyone was in a party mood, but sorry Cruise Paradise 2006 was over. We exchanged address, emails and phone numbers.
The next morning, with a soft rain falling, the streetrods were loaded up at the Hilo port to ship home. Less than two weeks later, our Vicky arrived back in Oakland and was ready to come home.
This was a spectacular event. Lots of work went into planning so we would have a wonderful time, and they succeeded! We’ve never felt so cared about on a cruise. We have fabulous memories and great new friends. We’ll be back for the next Cruise Paradise. Aloha till 2009.
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Hey Mary and Al, I just recieved the dvd in the mail! You guys are awesome! and the music matches the pictures perfectly! Anyways thanks again and come back soon! even if it's not cruise paradise 2012 yet.
Hi Al and Mary, I got your postcard the other day and just wanted to say thanks so much! I wish you guys could come back more often. It's always nice to see more great hot rodders in Hilo! take care
Hey there, I just noticed on your cruise paradise schedule, June 27th and July 1st poker runs are actually going to be opposite. On June 27th we will be going to Kona, the Hamakua Way and on July 1st we will be heading back to Hilo, the South Way. You can check it out on my webpage if anything. take care
