I touch down at Kona International Airport on the Big Island of Hawaii late at night. The Big Island is the largest and most southeastern Island in the chain of Hawaiian Islands. It’s population is very small, just under 200,000.

My brother picks me up at the airport in his jeep and we cruise off into the night, down the palm lined street to Kona on the West side of the island. I am surprised and confused to see a rugged, dry landscape made of volcanic rock spanning as far as the eye can see. The terrain looks barren and bleak with hardly a plant on it. This was not the Hawaii I’d imagined.

The dead, barren terrain on the dry side

Where are the lush tropical plants and flowers? My brother explains to me that the big island has 11 or 13 total climates and that we are in the dry side. With just a 30 minute drive we can reach the tropical side of the island, known as the wet side, or Hilo. I can’t wait to get over there.

Map of the Big Island

Tomorrow we are going to a swim spot near the old burial grounds of Lekeleke to swim and look at colorful fish. My brother will practice his spear-fishing and take a shot at catching us some lunch.

More soon~