Moku o Kiawe! Yep, did you know thatʻs the name for what we commonly know as “The Big Island” or Hawai’i Island in honor of an ancient island chief, Keaweikekahiali`iokamoku. In fact, all of the Hawaiian island names you know of have a longer Hawaiian name. More of that in a different blog as I get intrigued and lost in interested history like that.
Big Island was and will forever be in my dear heart and memory as my first Pacific Island on a grand Pacific journey spanning over 6 years.
Overlooking Kilauea Crater, Volcanoes National Park
Great Expanse of an Island
If you come from the continent itʻs quite obvious you come from a place of long distances and long drives. On an island perspective, driving anywhere in Hawai’i might seem far but in reality, distances arenʻt THAT far. On Oʻahu, from Hanauma Bay (Southernmost point) to Yokohama Bay (Westernmost point), itʻs takes about over an hour of driving time. From Kauaiʻs road north to south end, it takes about 2 hours thanks to itʻs local road traffic. To circumnavigate Big island, It takes nearly 6 hours to drive around over endless lava fields and unique varying terrains. One would actually think they were on the continent driving, only you can see the ocean and slopes of volcanoes touching the sea. WOW!
4Runner Parked at Waipiʻo Valley
A Volcanic Experience
Speaking of Volcanoes, the Hawaiian islands creation are based on whatʻs called a “”hot spot”, where the land moves and the hot spot creates land hence the dots you see on a map called Hawai’i. Big Island is the archipelagoʻs youngest island with two active volcanoes, Kilauea & Mauna Loa. Big Island is home to Volcanoes National Park which allows any visitor the opportunity to immerse theirselves into the wonders of Volcanoes near Kilauea, in old craters, lava tubes, and lava fields along the shorelines.
Kilauea Iki Crater Trail
Lava Fields within Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
Kona Coffee
Big Island is famous for itʻs active volcanoes. But if there is anything second on the list that doesnʻt entail beaches and waterfalls, itʻs the very beatiful thing us human beings love and need first thing in the morning, COFFEE! Kona coffee is special in Hawai’i as itʻs grown in the unique landscape only found on Big Island throughout the archipelago. A quote from ʻLove from Big islandʻ, “The fertile porous and mineral-rich volcanic soil and the climate with of sunny mornings, cloud or rain in the afternoon, little wind and mild nights make Kona Coffee a world-renowned (and also one of the most expensive kinds of) coffee.”
Itʻs very country
When I share with people how I arrived on Big Island first rather than Oʻahu, the response I get is “Oh you got the country experience first.” Big Island is very much country in essence that life moves far slower than itʻs island counterparts. (Well Molokai is a unique exception).
Did you know that Big Island has ranches and paniolos (Cowboys)?
Western Week Parade in Honokaʻa
White, Black and GREEN Sand Beaches
Big Island has some of the best and most beautiful beaches in Hawai’i. From crystal clear water and white sand beaches on the Kona side to jet black volcanic beaches on Hilo side. But head South Point to the end of the road and you will find Papakōlea / Green Sand Beach, one of only a few green sand beaches in the world.
Home of Kamehameha the Great
“.. a light in the sky with feathers like a bird would signal the birth of a great chief” That great chief is Kamehameha I or commonly known as Kamehameha the Great. This would be first King of the Hawaiian Kingdom would be notorious for unification of the Hawaiian islands under one rule. Fighting battle after battle across many of the islands to rise up to the legacy he is know for today and loved by all Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawaiians) today.
Kamehameha Statue in Hawi. Credit: hawaiimagazine
Mauna Kea
By far the most heart moving and spiritual places Iʻve ever visited is the most sacred to Native Hawaiians, Mauna Kea. Siting over 13,000 feet high is the highest point of Big Island and the entire archipelago. At this height, you have clear visibility of the sky and stars at night, hence the large telescopes.
Have you ever visited Big Island, Hawai’i?
If so, would love to hear what some of your favorite memories were in the comments below.
