Hawai‘i, The Big Island

Hawai‘i, or what we call the Big Island, for well, it being the biggest island. The big island is home to Hawai‘i’s active volcano, black sand beaches, and a whole lot of driving.
If you’re looking for some nice empty beaches, flying into Kona is a good idea. Driving north of Kona there are beautiful beaches, cool lava tubes (like seen in the image to the right), incredible snorkeling (image below), and lots and lots of lava rock.
Though if you are looking for Lava, Kona side is not where you want to be unless you want to drive two hours just to get to get to the other side of the island, then drive up the mountain.
Keep in mind, here in Hawai‘i we are home to many different environments being tropical islands. Therefore, depending on the area and side you drive, deciphers your weather and atmosphere.
Warning: the sulphate from the Vog from the lava can leave us with many side effects like headaches and allergies. I recommend remembering to bring some Advil or ibuprofen, (whatever works for you) when driving up the mountain, just in case.

Kai

 The ocean surrounding the Big Island makes me thirsty for more every time I think about it. From the clarity to life to rawness of this salty H2O.
If you’re lucky, you may meet a few new friends. The honu (turtle) are beautiful and also an endangered species so make sure to not touch but to also keep your distance. The bacteria on our skin is threatening to the turtle, reef, and to most of the sea life.
On that note, our rubbish is also very delicious looking food to the honu and their friends, so please malama our aina, take care of our land by throwing away your rubbish and any other rubbish you see so it does not get to them and keeps this island and ocean as incredible as it is.

An example of one drive experiencing the vast array of environments and atmospheres you will experience depending on where you are driving through.

 

Waimea Coffee Company

For some insanely delicious and nicely done local caffeine and delicious breakfast and lunch

My obsession is their dark cortado! My friend Katherine introduced me to her sisters concoction and got me addicted!

Waimea Farmers Markets

There are so many to choose from!

At the Parker School location it is bowls galore! From loaded delicious poke bowls to pitaya and acai bowls with the works! Saturday mornings at Parker school up in Waimea is the place to be. Was so excited to see the option of adding sweet potato to my bowl, so ono! There are so many venders, for someone indecisive like me, it took forever to decide what I wanted to eat! Pastry, burger, sushi, smoothie, thai food, etc etc? Was a challenge my tastebuds gladly took.

Under the Bodhi Tree

Healthy, vegan restaurant to help keep you lookin good on your vacay. Located in the Mauna Lani shopping centre. They also have delicious vegan pastries, pancakes and acai bowls for breakfast. Yummy sandwiches, salads, and soups for lunch. Their Kombucha on tap is strong and guuuudd as well, we got one of each of their flavors of the day.

Kilauea Volcano

One of the most memorable and incredible moments I’ve experienced in my life. Vast array of the islands beauty. There are many trails and spots to stop on the way. Don’t forget to bring some sort of ibuprofen for the vog (volcanic ash) and sulphate. Sometimes I don’t notice it but other times the island chain is effected with allergies or some weird drowsiness. So when you get close and start breathing a lot in, you may or may not find yourself with a minor headache, but SO worth it!