Exploring Hawaii
The Big Island
with a sprinkle of Honolulu
We love the quieter, less commercialized feel of the Big Island that starts from the second you get off the little island jumper plane. We land in my favorite airport, completely open to the elements. (Forgot to take photos, sorry.) From the island’s rich agricultural heritage to its more laid-back vibe, it’s a place where you connect with nature and the local culture. Benjamin grew up here, so we typically stay with family friends, spending most of our time relaxing, hiking, and eating. In various combinations. I use the term hiking loosely, it’s mostly my husband tricking me by saying “it’s not that far” or “it’s not much further” or my favorite “we are almost there!”…. but it’s ALWAYS far and we are rarely almost there, wherever there may be. Thankfully, there are usually some crazy beautiful flowers or animals I don’t get to see often to take my mind off how much my feet are killing me from a combination of the terrible footware choice I made for the “short walk” I was promised and the blasted kiavi tree thorn that went right through my shoe. Aside from the basics, we like to visit sites and businesses unique to the island. Here are a few of our favorites.
Big Island Bees
One of the highlights of our trip was visiting a local bee farm on the flip side of the island. This experience provided a fascinating look into honey production and underscored the importance of bees in our ecosystem. As someone who dreams of having my own hive one day, this visit was particularly inspiring. We not only learned about sustainable farming practices and how local efforts contribute to environmental conservation but also picked up some local honey to bring home! If you’re curious about the farm’s approach to sustainability and honey production, check out their website Big Island Bees.
Kona Coffee Farm
If you’re a fan of coffee, odds are you’ve heard of Kona coffee. A visit to the Kona coffee farm was another educational treat. We delved into the process of coffee cultivation and processing, and while the farm itself was quaint, the experience was a bit short. If you’re making the trek over, plan for something else to fill your time in Kona, as the farm tour is fairly brief. A quick tip: just because something is labeled as Kona coffee doesn’t necessarily mean it’s 100% Kona-grown. In fact, we’ve seen Kona coffee products that only contain 10% Kona beans, so be sure to check the percentages before purchasing.
Mauna Kea
During our last stay, it was even hotter than average, and we were without air conditioning. We found ourselves asking where we could possibly go to cool off, as most of the things we typically did while visiting were outdoors. We ended up making the drive up to Mauna Kea’s observatory just to cool off. (different elevation, hence the temp change.) The drive itself, with its winding roads and foggy landscapes, added to the adventure. We pulled off to take some photos in the fog and a Turkey scared the crap out of benjamin. made my day.
Waimea Midweek Farmers Market
We stopped at the Waimea Midweek Farmers Market on the way back down from our volcano cool-down (no, the irony is not lost on me.) This market is a great place to support local businesses and pick up fresh produce. You’ll want to make sure you bring cash to the market, as very few vendors take credit. There were plenty of veggie options for me and protein-heavy dishes for Benjamin, who doesn’t share my diet. We also picked up a few gifts for our host family and some souvenirs for ourselves.
The Big Island is a place where nature, culture, and community come together in perfect harmony. To give you a sense of how small the island’s population is, Benjamin ran into an old classmate who was working at the coffee farm. Whether you’re visiting the local farms or picking up handmade treasures at the market, there’s a deep sense of connection to the land and its people. If you’re ever on the island, make sure to explore these unique experiences—leave the hustle and bustle of the more commercialized spots behind and discover the true essence of Hawaii.
