The Big Island, Hawaii

April 7th-12th, 2004

Hawaii is composed of eight islands, the most familiar probably being Oahu, Maui, and Big Island. Big Island is the one we chose to visit on this trip. According to the map, it's about 93 miles long and 76 miles wide (4038 square miles). However, it seems much larger when you start driving because the road winds up, down, back and forth along the coastline. Of course, this offers grand views of the coastline, paths of old lava flow, and rain forests.

Hawaii

A couple of intersting facts about the island...

  • The south tip of Big Island, called Ka Lae, is actually the southern most point of the United States.
  • Macadamia nuts are a big industry on the island. I can highly recommend the chocolate covered macadamia nuts and macadamia nut ice cream :)
  • For the coffee enthusiast, Hawaii is home of Kona coffee (also good in the ice cream)!
  • From the ocean floor to the surface, about 18,000 feet, plus the additional 13,796 feet above sea level makes Mauna Kea higher than any other mountain in the world.

    • First stop was at Lapakahi State Historical Park, which was the sight of a 600 year old Hawaiian fishing village. There were markers showing where the vegetables were grown, the houses stood, the stone alter to the fishing spirit, and the water well.
    Lapakahi Park Lapakahi Park

    Contemplating the finer points of life...
    northwest coastline

    Akaka Falls State Park...
    There are actually two falls at this park, but this is a picture of the 442 foot drop of the Akaka falls. If you look hard in the second picture you can see a rainbow. The third picture is of the woods surrounding the falls.
    Akaka Falls rainbow over falls woods around falls
    us at falls

    On the far west side of the island lies Rainbow Falls on Wailuku River.
    Rainbow Falls little falls at Rainbow Falls
    up river of Rainbow Falls down river of Rainbow Falls

    As we walked around the falls, the drizzle began to get a little heavy, so we headed under the trees and came across this cool tree.
    tree at Rainbow Falls

    Hawaii Volcanoes National Park...
    Upon entering the park, there is a visitor information center which tells about the history of the volcano, surrounding vegetation, and the Nene bird which likes to live in the barren land. It is possible to hike around the volcano park, but you can also drive to the various sites. The first stop on the circular drive are the steam vents.
    steam vents steam vents
    As the drive continues, the growth thins out and begins to resemble the moon.
    volcano park landscape
    The Halemaumau crater is so expansive it's hard to capture in a picture (1600 meters wide by 85 meters deep). The site of the most eruptions at the summit of Kilauea volcano, it was once filled with molten lava. In 1924 as the lava drained away, groundwater seeped into the volcano causing steam explosions. At that point the crater was 410 meters deep, but due to numerous subsequent explosions it filled in to the present day size. Although the volcanos are active, there weren't any viewable lava flows.
    volcano crater volcano crater

    Panalu`u black sand beach...
    black sand beach rocks black sand beach

    Around the hotel...
    looking out from hotel clouds


    The island End

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