he 'Big Island', known as Hawaii, is an amazing mix of old meets new. The largest in the Hawaiian Island chain, you can fit the islands of Kauai, Oahu, Lanai, Maui, and Molokai in it, and still have room to spare. It is vast in land mass, and diverse in geography, with one side of the island, known as the Kona side, desert like in appearance and arid, with 10 inches of rainfall a year, compared to the Hilo side, which averages 250 inches a year. In driving time around the whole island, it is approximately 8 hours without stopping. This vastness lends to an eye full of beauty everywhere you turn. It is an island that is alive and growing, and a lesson to those who visit, in history.
I landed on the Kona side of Hawaii. The airstrip is carved out of black volcanic lava fields. It's quite unique and beautiful, and you begin to feel as if you have stepped back into time. Immediately after arrival, I hurried to my car rental area. I suggest that you rent a car, as it is one of the best ways to experience the island.
With map in hand, I ventured to the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai in Kona. The resort is on a half mile of white sand beach, on the Kona Coast, about 10 minutes from the airport. It is incredible, and there has been great care in keeping with nature and solitude. As I walked around, I noticed that the grounds had remnants of ancient lava flows and beautiful birds and flowers I had never seen before. It is a quiet, serene place that you can bring your family to, with five pools, three wonderful restaurants, and a top rate fitness club boasting tennis, canoeing, surfing and, for those who want nothing but pampering, a full service spa where you can have an outdoor massage or body scrub... trust me, you'll leave rejuvenated.
I ventured out of the resort, to soak up the opportunity for Hawaiian adventures. There are several adventures to enjoy when you visit Hawaii. It is an outdoor enthusiasts dream.
One of the best adventures that Hawaii has to offer is the active Volcano on the Hilo side of the island. Blue Hawaiian Helicopters had the most spectacular way to see it. They offer several aerial tours, which take you over and around the Volcano, over the Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa Volcanoes (now extinct), Parker Ranch, and through the Kohala Mountains to the magical 1000 plus feet waterfalls that cascade down the sides of the cliffs. You can choose a tour of one or the other or both. Request pilot George Nischan for the adventure. He's informative and a great guide. It is a must do, even if you do nothing else during your stay.
There's another great way to see this vast island--by boat. The Orca Raft Adventure takes you on the ride of your life on their 28 ft., hard bottomed raft with a 350 horsepower engine that sends you flying over the wakes. It's great fun and a fast way to get you in the water and snorkeling with spinner dolphins at Kealakekua Bay. What makes this experience complete, is Mitch Stauffer and Kirk Hering, who are so knowledgeable about the island and it's underwater life, sea caves and lava tubes.
Hawaii is also one of the best areas to star gaze. Astronomers have come from around the world to visit the highest point in the Pacific, Mauna Kea. It is the tallest mountain in the world and rises slowly to 13,796 feet. It is headquarters to the largest observatory called the Onizuka Center for International Astronomy. You can take guided tours up the summit, which take up to eight hours. Parkas are included. Or if you want to skip the actual climb, The Four Seasons, and many other resorts on the island, invite astronomer, Wayne Fukunaga and his telescope to share his knowledge with guests and visitors. It's a great, less exhausting way to stargaze.
Scuba divers take note! If you haven't tried a night dive, this is the place to do it. And the added plus is swimming with Manta Rays. The dive is called "dinner with the Manta Rays." It's an amazing experience to be in the water with these shy sea creatures, with wing spans that cover 12 feet across, and can weigh as much as an elephant. Each Manta has descriptive patterns on their underneath, and over a 100 have been identified and studied, and while I was there, three new ones were added to the list. Many of the Kona diving facilities offer this truly one of a kind experience.
Driving the endless stretch of road can be quite daunting in some areas. But, it can offer some spectacular views and sites that might go unseen. For example, take the Green Sand Beach, called Pu'u Mahana. It has incredible emerald green sand. Accessible from Highway 11, it's a 6-mile hike into the beach area. Unique and a must see.
Everyone knows about the Black Sand Beaches around the island, and especially the famous one at Kehana Beach. Turn off the road and spend some time exploring the lava inlets, where sea turtles visit and you can relax in a lava-lined pool, heated by a volcanic stream to 95 degrees.
The Kona area is also known for its coffee belt. There are orchards just off Road 11, and on the way to the green and black sand beaches. You can find Margaret McGuire selling her specialized coffee from the mountains of Waialua Valley, in a makeshift tent on one of these orchards. Purchase a coffee, or macadamia nut and white chocolate spread, or coffee beans to take home. Her coffee is called Kilauea Kofe, and is one of the best I have tasted. Try the Pahoehoe, which is dark and rich in flavor.
There are some great restaurants to check out. For fun and a great view of the waves, check out Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. in Kona. Your waitress will drill you on what you truly remember about the movie, Forrest Gump, while you dine on shrimps and more shrimps. Do you remember the name of the shrimp boat? That's right, "The Jenny". Or Jameson's for a local favorite. Another mentionable is the Kilauea Lodge, which won the Aina Award as one of the best restaurants on the island. If you are looking for a Luau, try Kona Village for an event to remember!
In Hawaii, you can relax on one of the many beautiful beaches, or get as adventurous as you'd like. There's a tourist book on the island that states there are 101 things to do, and trust me... there are! You can "Go Flumin'" through the old sugar plantation waterways, or Humvee-ing in to the rainforest, hike under a 500 foot waterfall, or ride and ATV from the mountains to the sea. You can go rafting, ride a mule, horseback ride, roast your own coffee, watch whales, surf, kayak, visit Waimea Town, tour an ancient peace temple, and of course... shop till you drop.
What ever you choose to visit and see, the Big Island--Hawaii--is unique and mysterious, and with adventures abound, a place to revisit through time.
The 'Big Island', known as Hawaii, is an amazing mix of old meets new. The largest in the Hawaiian Island chain, you can fit the islands of Kauai, Oahu, Lanai, Maui, and Molokai in it, and still have room to spare. It is vast in land mass, and diverse in geography, with one side of the island, known as the Kona side, desert like in appearance and arid, with 10 inches of rainfall a year, compared to the Hilo side, which averages 250 inches a year. In driving time around the whole island, it is approximately 8 hours without stopping. This vastness lends to an eye full of beauty everywhere you turn. It is an island that is alive and growing, and a lesson to those who visit, in history.
Goldeneye Resort
