by: Matt Johnson

Often overlooked by the average tourist, The Big Island of Hawaii is not to be missed. Hawaii, or simply The Big Island, absolutely lives up to its name.

Kailua–Kona, HI
After five hours of looking at the tops of clouds we finally see the black, lava rock lined runway at Kona International. Completely outdoors, the Kona International Airport is a great first impression of Hawaii. The unique atmosphere is true island style.
With our feet back on the ground we head into downtown Kailua-Kona, known by locals as just Kona. This is one of the more developed areas on The Big Island. Alii Drive is a hot spot for both tourists and locals. This road runs along the coast in downtown Kona and is packed with food and shopping. Downtown is the spot to taste test all the local delicacies. The famous Kona coffee is a must.
Very tourist friendly, Kona is a good place to stay when visiting Hawaii. Whether you are looking for a local farmers market, a scuba diving excursion, or a booze cruise, Kona offers it all.

South Point
Driving South of Kona, we head for the “true” southern most point in the country, South Point, Hawaii. Don’t be fooled by what you hear in Key West, Florida – it is the Big Island that holds the title. South Point offers an amazing ocean view as well as a flat ledge that is perfect for cliff diving. Then again, the only way back up is a sketchy rope ladder. We decide to keep moving. Besides, just a few miles away a green sand beach is calling our name.
Near South Point is the home of Papakolea Green Sands beach. That’s right, the sand is actually green, but this rare sight is not easy to get to. Four-wheel drive is the only form of transport to get to Green Sands. Poorly maintained, unpaved roads winding in a labyrinth lead the way to the beach. There’s not exactly street signs to follow, so a local guide can be extremely helpful. A guide will also come in handy after reaching the bluff overlooking the hidden cove of Papakolea. At first glance, it looks impossible to scale down the sheer cliffs to the beach. But the locals can always easily find the small, barely visible trails cut into the side of the rock.
Reaching the green sand is such an adventure in itself that you almost forget that paradise is waiting for you at the bottom. The sight of the clear blue water crashing on the sparking emerald sand is truly breath taking. And the best part is that because it is in the middle of nowhere, it is never packed with people. Beautiful scenery and no crowds – a combination that is hard to find anywhere else in Hawaii.

Hawaii’s Volcano National Park
Hawaii’s South East section of land is home to Mt. Kilauea, a volcano that has been continuously erupting since 1983. Some have called it the most active volcano in the world. This non-stop lava flow adds to the landmass of Hawaii everyday. Visitors can get up close and personal with the lava. We even saw someone cook pizza on it! But like most of the other treasures of Hawaii, getting there is the hard part. Our hike to the lava flow feels more like a trek on the surface of the moon than a beautiful Hawaiian island. Climbing up and around the scorching black lava rock is even a little eerie, passing by half melted street signs and remembering that a town once stood beneath those rocks.
Although more dangerous, hiking the volcano at night is worth the risk. Even in the dark, Mt. Kilauea can be seen for miles. The lava lights the mountainside like a giant Christmas tree. The closer we get to the lava flow, the more the air begins to change. Comfortable breathing fades away as the sulfur becomes so thick you can almost taste it. Strong, incredibly hot wind blows off the lava trails and through fissures in the volcano. The intense environmental conditions grow stronger as we near the river of magma.
Standing next to flowing lava is a very humbling experience. It is amazing how such a destructive force is essential to yield new life. Kilauea is building the Hawaii of tomorrow on a daily basis for the whole world to see.
After a long hike we decide to shack up for the night in a cabin at Kilauea’s Volcano House. With a few bunk beds, a fire pit, and an indoor bathroom, the campground has everything we need. The historic Volcano House is located on the edge of Kilauea Crater.

Hilo, HI
Continuing counter-clockwise around The Big Island is Hilo, the largest town on the island. Eastern Hawaii looks nothing like its neighbors to the west. On the eastern, or windward, side of the island lush jungles replace the fields of black lava rock. This is no surprise because Hilo has the wettest climate in the U.S. Sorry Seattle, go stand next to Key West and share the second place crown.
Besides all the greenery, another bonus feature of the excessive rainfall in Hilo is its waterfalls. Under the right weather conditions, the Wailuku River waterfall displays a perfect rainbow from top to bottom, hence the name – Rainbow Falls. But the prize for highest falls on The Big Island goes to Akaka Falls towering in at 420 feet.
Driving into downtown Hilo, it is hard not to notice the differences from Kailua-Kona. Hilo is an older town lacking the luxuries found on the east coast. However, Hilo has its own unique atmosphere and a great island vibe. The native charm of this town is still alive and well.

Kohala Coast, HI
Traveling northwest along the Mamalahoa Highway you reach the Kohala Coast. Quiet towns and empty roads are common to the Kohala region, which is surprising because it offers some of the islands best sand beaches. It’s no wonder that upscale resorts, like the Hilton and the Four Seasons, set up shop in this area. We decide to live the good life for a few hours and wander around the Hilton. Right within the hotel, we find an area call Dolphin Quest, where you can get face to face with these amazing swimmers. The best part is that you don’t have to be a guest at the hotel to participate. The swimming pools are another great feature of the hotel. With three pools in all, we run from one to the next, ducking in and out of the waterfalls, even taking waterslides to get from one pool to the next. When we are asked to leave, we decide we’ve had enough of the good life anyhow. Time for more four-wheeling and lava hikes.

Kona Coast, HI
Driving south from Kohala we hug the west coast on a country road overlooking the ocean. Between mile markers 88 and 89 we pull off road and follow the well-traveled lava path that leads to a makeshift parking lot a mile from the highway. We load our backpacks with what we will need for the afternoon and set off for the 30-minute hike to the beach. A few mountain goats and dilapidated buildings are all that we pass before reaching the white sand beach. Considering what we just went through to get here, you’d think it would be empty. But this beach has been gaining popularity over the years and the word is out on this hidden gem. Great for surfing, sunning, and snorkeling, this beach has something for everyone in our group. A walk in the trees behind the dunes reveals a brackish fresh-water pool that is perfect for rinsing off the salt water and cooling off before the hike back to the car. Breaching whales just offshore play in the ocean while guiding us back to Kona bringing our trip to a close.