A photographer goes to the big island hawai'i

"Hey honey, we we're planning to stop off at the volcano on the way home." was one of the most peculiar and funny phrases I heard when I went to the Big Island Hawai'i in 2022. My Aunt, who was my travel guide that day was referring to the Volcano House by the Kīlauea Caldera at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park . This was on one of our day trips.

On one of the other day trips we made a 12 hour drive around the big island in one day making sure to stop at some key locations to experience the many, many climates and terrains that the magical Big Island has to offer. Some of the locations that I had the opportunity to experience was the Hamakua Macadamia Nut Company the statue of King Kamehameha and the Bond Memorial Public Library in Kapaau. Rainbow Falls in Hilo Town (Photos Below). AKAKA FALLS at Akaka Falls State Park. The world famous Kens Pancake House. The Liliuokalani Gardens (Photos Below) The Punalu'u Bake Shop where you can get the most delicious fresh baked bread and, is the southern most bakery of all 50 states. Big Island Candies in Hilo Town. South Point aka Ka Lae, (Photos Below) is the southernmost point of the Big Island of Hawaii and of the 50 United States.

While pretty much anywhere you go on a magical island like the big island is amazing. One of the more impactful locations for me was the City Of Refuge (Photos Below) at the Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park. Set on the rugged and beautiful south Kona coast, the ‘place of refuge’ or ‘city of refuge’ was a safe haven for those that broke the Kapu laws, which in old Hawaii were punishable by death. If you reached the Puʻuhonua, you would be pardoned by Kahuna and given a second chance at life. A sacred site, carrying the powerful mana of 23 interred Aliʻi chiefs, the Puʻuhonua and Royal Grounds were used by the Hawaiians for centuries.

Some of the local cuisine I personally loved and would recommend is the Loco Moco at one of the many locations of L&L Hawaiian Barbecue. If you are a cheeseburger fan like me check out The Island Ono Loa Grill in Kona.

While it is not hard at all to get a good picture in Hawai'i I hope that you like the ones that I got when I was there. If you have some of your own I would love to see them!