Big Island, Hawaii, April 2017

Currently the largest of the Hawaiian Islands and, as a result of the activity from the Kilauea volcano, the Big Island continues to grow every day*. The majority of people who live on the Big Island reside close to either Hilo (on the east coast) and Kona (on the west coast). To truly get an appreciation of the Big Island, you should take the time to visit both coasts as it feels completely different and offers very distinct experiences.

For those that like adventure, the Big Island has loads to offer, the highlights for me included: Kayaking on Kealakekua Bay on route to the Captain Cook Monument (whilst being accompanied by spinning dolphins) and then to peer beneath the bay for the most exceptional snorkelling; Horseback riding through Waipi’o Valley - sauntering (well the horse was) through lush tropical vegetation and the dazzling vistas; Volcano National Park - a minimum one day visit as there is so much to do: hikes, sulphur banks, scenic drives, petroglyphs, sea arch and watching the steam rise from the Kilauea crater; Kazumura Lava Tube - Kazumura Cave formed between four and six centuries ago, when a vent on the east side of Kilauea Caldera erupted, sending lava down the northeast flank of the volcano and now allowing tours complete with stalagmites and stalactites; hiking to an evening lava show - walking over rugged fields of former lava beds to a viewing point to watch the red lava flow bubble and steam into the ocean; and Snorkel, Snorkel, Snorkel!

And then there are beaches upon beaches; high surf, white sand, green sand, lounging seals, nesting turtles, rays of sun, the coastline is so vast has so much to offer. Then there’s simply that luscious scent of Hawaii, all those tropical flowers captured in the blog: Aloha Hawaii.

*About 1 year after my visit to the Big Island, the Kilauea volcano erupted producing an earthquake opening fissures and sending lava pouring into the nearby residential areas. Thousands of residents were evacuated and although the beautiful house I rented in the town of Puna survived, the access road to the house and neighbouring properties were destroyed. Nature as beautiful as it can be, can also the most damaging force - my heart and thoughts are with those impacted by the eruption.

Featured

Painted Church

Saint Benedict’s Catholic Church, built between 1899-1902 overlooks Kealakekua Bay.

Inside the painted church

The interior of the church was painted with the stories of the bible as a means to teach those that could not read.

Coffee Shack

Reason #1 to stop at the coffee shack is for coffee! Kona coffee is one of the most expensive coffees in the world. Cultivated on the slopes of the Big Island and with the glorious weather and good soil, the result is delicious coffee.

Reason#2 to visit this particular coffee shacks is the fantastic view of Kona coast, overlooking Kealakekua Bay, where the famous explorer Captain James Cook first arrived in Hawaii.

Puuhonua O Honaunau

Puuhonua O Honaunau is the most famous and best preserved of Hawaii’s ancient places of refuge. The historical park preserves the site where, up until the early 19th century, if you broke an ancient law you could avoid death by getting to this place of refuge.

Ki'i

Wooden totems (known as Ki’i) still protect the area that once served as a Hawaiian sanctuary for lawbreakers seeking refuge.

Great Wall

A section of the ‘great wall’, 12 feet tall, 18 feet wide and over 950 feet long. It was constructed with dry-set masonry over 400 years ago.

Waipi'o

Waipi’o is known as the “Valley of the Kings”. Trekking through the valley on horseback on the best way to enjoy the lush paradise.

Waipi'o Valley Lookout

Halema'uma'u

Kilauea caldera is a very large crater formed by collapse (about 2 miles wide and more than 3 miles long) the main crater pit is Halema’uma’u

Sulphur banks

Lava tubes

Big Island has some of the longest and deepest lava tubes in the world and ones that you can walk through (Kazmura system)

Lava molds

The molds of trees where molten lava engulfed and hardened everything in its path including the trees.

Pu‘u Loa Petroglyphs

The largest petroglyph field in the State of Hawaii.more then 23,000 petroglyph images and about 500 years old!

Puka

The vast majority of the petroglyphs are small dot-like holes that are approximately two inches in diameter. Hawaiian historians explain that these holes are called puka. When a child was born a puka would be carved in the lava stone. The new baby’s umbilical cord would be placed in the puka to wish blessings upon the child for a long and prosperous life.

Life

A reminder that although lava will destroy everything in its path, life will return.

Lava road

The road in the Volcano National Park descends form the crater rim to the coast for 30 km with an elevation change of about 3, 700 ft.

Holei Sea Arch

Presently, the sea arch is about 90ft. (27.4 m) high, created by the sea about 100 years ago.

"Lavasplosion"