Place of Refuge aka Pu’uhonua o Honaunau, my favorite place to snorkel
I have visited all the main Hawaiian Islands at least twice, always with a flutter of joy, but the one I fervently return to, my favorite, is the Big Island.
It’s not a typical tropical island, with white sand beaches, sand as fine as sugar. It’s paradise in a raw form, with fiery volcano eruptions, and warm Pacific waves meeting porous lava sprawls.
Kalij Pheasant, Big Island
The Big Island, also known as Hawaii Island, is built from five volcanoes, some of which are still active (see map below). It is the largest and youngest island of the chain. At it’s widest point, it is 93 miles (150 km) across.
The volcano activity is literally the foundation of this island. Eruptions have changed the shape of the land, sent residents scampering, closed roads, and claimed lives.
Pu’uhonua O Honaunau, Place of Refuge, Hawaii
So what is it about the Big Island that makes it so glorious?
The green sea turtles foraging in the lava rocks.
Green Sea Turtle
The vibrant tropical fish and colorful coral.
Yellow tangs, Big Island
Pink coral, Big Island
Expansive ocean vistas and endless ways to ride the waves.
Big Island
Psychedelic lava patterns with pooled puddles, crabs, and shorebirds.
Lava beach and sea
Crab, Big Island
Sitting beneath the rattling palm fronds, steeping in the magic of the black sand beaches.
Punalu’u Beach
Flowers and fragrance and geckos.
Hibiscus
Hawaiian gecko on our rental car
Adventuring inland and up into the mountains to see the native birds and forests.
Apapane, native Hawaiian bird, Big Island
Nene pair, Hawaiian goose, Hawaii’s (threatened) state bird
Jet birding, binoculars inside jacket, pouring rain
Sitting quietly in the parks, watching the colorful birds and Hawaiian families, graced by the gentle fragrance of plumeria.
Myna pair on palm frond
Java Sparrow, Hawaii
Red-crested Cardinal on a coconut
Driving across the island on Saddle Road, surrounded by miles and miles of lava fields.
Saddle Road, Big Island. Our rental car, left of center.
Hiking in the old volcano craters and lava tubes.
Kilauea Iki Crater with hikers on trail
Watching Kilauea Volcano smoke and spew.
Close-up, Halema’uma’u Crater at Kilauea Volcano
Relaxing on the lanai and watching the sun set.
Thanks for joining me on the Big Island…or as they say in Hawaii, Mahalo.
Photo credit: Athena Alexander
Five volcanoes of the Big Island. Courtesy Wikipedia.
Jet Eliot 
Though I have never had an opportunity to visit Volcano areas so far but your narrative and pictures took me there virtually!
Cheers, Charu
Thanks very much, Charu, I’m glad to have given you a look at the beauty of the volcano areas.
Another wonderful post !!!
Thank you !
Thank you for your visit and kind words, domnuio. Much appreciated.
It’s the geckos that really do it for me Jet, then the birds. What beauties, all of them. Im also fascinated by the white and black sands. I heard recently that the white sand is made up mostly of parrot poop! On further investigation it seems that it is parrot fish poop and that that is mostly coral. Id love to go there someday.
The geckos are really cool, I could never get enough of them. There are no parrots in Hawaii, so that theory doesn’t stand for Hawaii. The black sands are the broken-down basalt of the volcano eruptions. We saw green sand on this island too, this is from a lava silicate deposit called olivine. (We walked out onto that surf and got our butts kicked, surf was so strong.) Glad to have brought the Big Island to you, Alastair, and as always, much appreciate your comment and visit.
There is such a thing as parrotfish though – or am I being gullible?
Oh yes, definitely parrotfish there. They eat the coral and when you’re underwater you can hear it crunch in their teeth. 🙂
A collective Wow! from me, my wife and daughter on that on Jet 😄
My thanks and warm smiles to all three of you, Alastair. 🙂
You have to love Hawaii but the volcanoes scare the health out of me –you just never know. I’ve been looking for the Apapane for years and so far only my lovely bride has seen one in our travels–thanks for sharing
The lava flows are scientifically measured and often predictable, but there are times I suppose when they are a surprise. Apapanes are more unpredictable than the lava flows, but we have always had good luck (with tenacious searching) on the trails in Volcano NP. Thanks so much for your visit, Bill, always a pleasure.
Amazing wildlife shots! Big Island is the place to swim with the honu. Can’t believe you saw the Apapane, was hoping to catch a glimpse during my stay!
Apapanes are native, and native birds don’t come down to the lowlands, but we have had good lucky in the native forests in higher elevations, especially while hiking around in Volcanoes NP. Thanks very much, Julie, wonderful to receive your comment.
I’d love to see some actual volcanic activity. Been to a lot of old lava fields, and got stranded in the Anchorage airport by a volcano, just never witnessed any of the activity.
Kilauea is a good place to witness the activity, and they have a very sophisticated website with eruption activity. On a different matter, I read Will O’ the Wisp this week, Craig, and enjoyed it very much. Wrote a review too. Great accomplishment, my friend.
I’ve debated a vacation there, or Mt. Etna for years. I read your review and it made my day. We aren’t supposed to comment on reviews, so I kept it to myself. So glad you enjoyed the story.
No more debating about a trip to see the volcano, Craig. You can write it off because it’ll bring you volumes of inspiration for your stories. 😀
Good point.
Excellent collection.
Thanks very much, rabirius. It’s so lovely there, photo opportunities abound.
I can imagine.
I want to go, too!!! 🙂
This made me laugh, Matthias. Really fun, thank you.
Really beautiful photos! Kudos to Athena. 👌🏻👍🏻😌
Thanks very much, John, a pleasure to hear from you. I hope you are doing okay there, I can imagine it has been tumultuous. My warmest wishes to you….
What an enticement to visit. Hawaii should pay you a commission.
I am delighted you enjoyed the aloha visit today, Steve. Many thanks.
During my visit to New Zealand, I was startled when I saw that the Maori word for ‘woman’ is wahine, exactly the same as in Hawaiian. I guess I shouldn’t have been so surprised, given that Polynesians settled both New Zealand and Hawaii.
Interesting note, Steve, thanks very much.
Thanks, Jet, for sharing this place of refuge – easy to see why, with such beauty.
Have a wonderful weekend!
What a delight to share the Big Island with you, pc. Thank you for your visit and warm comment, always appreciated. And Happy Thanksgiving to you.
Visiting a volcano is definitely on my bucket – this island looks idyllic – beautiful captures!
Knowing the beautiful islands you photograph and look out onto, and the many places you have been on this planet, Joanne, I know you would love this island. Many thanks–
Wow ! That’s the only Hawaiian island I haven’t been to. What part of the island would you advise staying on? Thanks, Jan
I like staying 2-3 days near Volcanoes NP (we like Kilauea Lodge) and then driving over to the west side and spending a week in Kona. The volcanoes are really cool to be around, on the east side; and the Kona coast is great for warm, sunny, beach activity. In Kona we like to rent a condo on Alii Drive because it’s walkable to most places in town. I love Kona. I think you’d like it, Jan, it’s quirky and beautiful and less tourists than the other main islands.
I’ve never been to the Big Island, but you make me want to do it soon. Thanks for the beautiful photos.
Thanks very much, it’s a very beautiful island.
Wow – what a wonderful selection of photos! Love those birds … and the mazing crater and volcano. Thanks Jet for sweeping me away to a wonderful part of the world 💛
I had a lot of fun putting this together, as you can imagine, Val. It was challenging to come up with just a handful of photos, because there are so many. A pure joy to sweep you into the Big Island, thanks so much for visiting.
Hi Jet – Tantalizing photography and inforamtion. I’m ready to pack my bags.
Oh what a delight to see you back again, Sharon. I am so happy to “see” you. I’m really glad you stopped by, and what fun it was to draw you into the Big Island. I’m heading over to see what your new blog looks like, and looking forward to seeing more of you and your art again.
A LOVELY post, Jet. Shows the great diversity of such a beautiful island. So peaceful to read…
I had originally written this post with a lot more background and facts, and then I erased it all. I decided the photos could do most of the talking, and therein lies the peace. So very glad you enjoyed it Nan, and your comments are always a joy.
And that’s what makes you a phenomenal writer, Jet!
Thank you for sharing that amazing adventure. Stunning photos! Does life seem a bit ordinary when you return home?
Hi Helen. I like that question. I love where I live and I love the everyday of life, in fact it’s “the everyday” that I love so much and strive to present in my novels. So when I get home I am always glad, and when I go on a trip I am always glad too. But admittedly there is one place, Africa, I really miss and is like no other and it’s so expensive to visit. Fortunately for me, I live as close to Hawaii as the mainland gets, so I can visit here every year or two. My thanks for your visit. 🙂
I would love to visit Hawaii – such exotic birds and wildlife! I liked the vivid red crab on the black lava rocks too!
It is a wildly exotic island, and I think you would enjoy it, Cindy. I know you are attracted to the native wilds, so if you go I highly recommend “Hawaii Forest Trails,” touring for a day trip. They take you up to private property where you can hike and observe the native birds for the day. Isn’t that red crab photo wonderful? I’m glad you like it, it’s one of my favorites for expressing the uniqueness of the Big Island.
Paradise and best of all – no need for a passport!
That’s right, Eliza. It’s a pretty easy jaunt for those of us on the west coast…as long as we don’t have to sail. 😉 Thanks for stopping by.
What an extraordinary place! Your narration and the photography are a wonderful introduction.
Thanks so much, Belinda. It was a complete joy to create.
So so beautiful!! 😍😍😍. I have always wanted to go to Hawaii, I am fascinated by the old culture, I mean the culture that was there before the colonists came. It’s enchanting! Thank you for showing me around! 💖😊💖😊💖😊
The Polynesian backbone of Hawaii is still very present, and you’re right, Trini, it is enchanting. It was a delight to show you around, my friend, and I so enjoyed your comment and happy emoticons. Always a pleasure to have you stop by, thank you.
Oh, I would love to learn about and see more of the Polynesian culture! Must go one day! 😊💖😊💖👍🏻
What a beautiful island, and such an amazing diversity of natural life. May it always be, with thanks.
Islands have their challenges in the natural world, because the land is limited. But the Big Island is indeed big and this, in addition to the conservationists who have worked hard to preserve, have helped. It is tricky on this island because the volcanoes erupt and destroy, but there is resilience, too. Thanks so much for your comment and thoughts, Walt…much appreciated. I hope you are enjoying your weekend.
Very interesting narration and excellent photos! …seems like Madame Pele sent you a gift of cloud juice for your visit. Great post my friend! 🙂
It was a true pleasure to share the beauties of Hawaii with you, HJ, and you’re right, Madame Pele did pay me a visit of inspiration. I really appreciate your warm and encouraging words. I hope you are feeling better and continue to heal with each new day.
Look at all the wildlife you saw. I’m envious. This post brought back memories from our only trip to Hawaii. The rawness of the Hawaii Island and its active volcanic activities were what drew me to it most. It ended up being my most favorite of the Hawaiian Islands (although I very much enjoyed Honolulu as well).
I think we’re on the same joys of the Big Island, Keng, that rawness and uniqueness. And as you know in your travels and hiking, we found the wildlife by being out in the wilderness. Many people enjoy Hawaii in different ways, but being on the trails and under the water and rarely idle sure makes the wildlife more available. Thanks so much for your visit and comment.
Much respect for Hawaii people and its people. Seeing thispost, it looks like the people there let nature be where they should be, like the beautiful fishes, the birds, and other visitors. Hawaii looks like a trip to relax, enjoy the beach, and just love nature and wonderful landscapes. You sell it us very well.
Yes, you are right, Rommel, the beauty of Hawaii stems from its people and the Polynesian background. No matter how many times I go to Hawaii, and know what to expect, for instance, I am always struck by the natural slow pace of the people and ways. There is a rushing we do on the mainland (even me, who works hard on not rushing) that just has to stop when you get to Hawaii. Things happen when they happen, it’s the aloha way. It is marvelous. My thanks, as always, for your visit today.
Beautiful birds and views you spotted, Jet. Great post!
What a treat to have you stop by, Helen. I am happy you enjoyed the visit to the Big Island with me today. I think of you often and send my warmest wishes to you during this time.
Athena’s kickin’ ass and takin’ names with this stunning gallery. And you can tell her I said so. 🙂
hahaha. I told her and we both chuckled. Great comment, Frank, thanks so much. 🙂
I usually only receive my Hawaiian escape during the weekly episode of Hawaii Five-0 and it was so enjoyable to escape to the Big Island with your words and photos! There was a feeling throughout the post that you guys almost had the island to yourselves, except for the exceptional wildlife and fellow birders. The sunset photo, the hikers in the distance and your isolated car along the lava fields enhanced the feeling, although it did appear that the gorgeous Gecko wanted to travel with you. How wonderful you have been able to visit these islands of paradise twice. You have captured the Hawaiian spirit wonderfully and it was impossible to choose a favorite photo of Athena’s this week.
Oh, how I loved reading your comment, ACI, thanks so much. Hawaii Five-O is good for a Hawaiian escape, and I am thrilled to be a part of the Hawaiian escape with this post. I had a lovely time visiting paradise as I composed the post too. Really enjoyed your thoughts and feelings as you absorbed the post, and very much appreciate your feedback, my friend. A joy to bring you some aloha moments, ACI, many thanks.
Such beautiful colours on this island!
Such a delight to cavort with you this week, Bertie, and I’m happy you enjoyed this trip to the Big Island. Many thanks and happy smiles to you. I hope you are enjoying your mountain time….
Such as beautiful landscape.You have countless beautiful photos Jet, I really enjoy your trip photos, amazing!
I am pleased you enjoyed the photos of Hawaii, Dela, and appreciate your visit and comment very much. It is such a beautiful place.
Loved this post on what to love about the Big Island, Jet. So much to see and explore, and sounds like you and company have explored the island far and wide. You really look very happy in your rain gear – what a big smile on your face 🙂 Sometimes travel does that to us – making us feel on top of the world even during the challenging paths. As you mentioned in the comments to Nancy, I do feel a sense of peace coming through the simplicity of this post. Athena did such a wonderful job with the photos. Love the one of the gecko on your rental car. It seems to have blue eyelids 🙂
Wonderful to have you visit, Mabel, thanks so much for stopping by. I appreciate your warm comments, and am glad you enjoyed the visit to the Big Island. The geckos there have some crazy colors and patterns!
Jet we have been looking through your post and Athena’s lovely photos and we are convinced. Next trip it’s the Big Island. We would love to see the volcano activity and loving your description of a more rugged area. It looks like a bird lovers paradise as well. Now that you have us actually being observant enough to look for birds that would be an added bonus. Next step is actually recognizing more than crows and robins.
I am so happy this post piqued your interest in the Big Island, Sue. You and Dave would have a great time. There’s also lots of para-sailing and sea-doo rentals and kayaking. The Ironman Triathlon takes place in Kona every Oct. and that is incredible to watch. We were there about a week before the event one year, and watching the athletes training was fascinating. I have no doubt you and Dave would have a wonderful time. I’ll be happy to give you some help at planning time. Meanwhile, have another Guinness! Cheers!
Jet we will definitely take you up on your offer when we get to planning. We have arrived back to Canada with a full heart of wonderful Irish memories.
Jet also hoping that you and Athena are nowhere near the fires. So tragic reading reports of the rapid spread.
At first glance, I thought the Java Sparrow was a Puffin. They do look a bit similar. What a strange and wonderful island you’ve enjoyed!
You describe it perfectly, Gunta. Thank you for stopping by.
Magnificent photos and what a fabulous trip you’ve been on! Great reading, Jet , and I thoroughly enjoyed this post… thanks for the treat! 😃
You can invite me back anytime! 🙂 I enjoyed this tour of the big island. I LOVE Hawaii, but have spent time in Maui (when our family was younger) and now Kauai once a year in the winter. When I arrive, everything melts off me: worry, care, time. I’m new again, young again, and just breathe in the tropical air, listen to the palm trees sway, watch the whales cavort not far from the shore. Ahhh. But you entice me to visit the big island sometime, also.
Birds I’d very much like to see in real life now! RH
What does Maholo mean? Lovely photos and info about a beautiful exciting part of the world.
Hi Lloyd, “mahalo” means thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed the Big Island…mahalo.
Mahalo Jet.
😀 😀
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Thank you for the re-blog, rexton.