The Coroner (Big Island, Hawaii)

Author: Annette Madsen
Date of Trip: January 2007

As usual I had waited too long to book a place to stay in Volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii & my choices were limited. We had not ever stayed at a B&B before, but the owner was so nice on the phone. We arrived to check in, & the maid was still “cleaning” the room. She was wearing a coroner jacket, hair in disarray & either talking to herself or growling. My daughter was horrified! We later saw the “coroner” hiding under the house peering out at us which increased my daughter’s terror.

That night we hiked out to the volcano & didn’t return until quite late. There were freshly baked cookies on the table & no sight of the “coroner” which eased tension slightly. She was still very nervous about every noise in the house as we thought we were the only guests.

In the morning to our surprise there were other guests that had arrived while we had been out hiking & had gone to bed before we had returned. The owner fixed us a wonderful breakfast & provided us with great information about Volcano National Park. By this time my daughter was laughing at herself, her visions of the movie Psycho, & fear that the “coroner” was going to get her during the night. She was happily surprised to learn that there were indeed other guests present which explained random noises during the night. It was an adventure that none of us will forget & always brings a smile to our faces as we remember our first B&B.