Notes from Hawai'i
A photo essay, philosophical musings, and sensorial experiences on the Big Island.
On Travel
There are many things I love about travel. For one, I feel I need to physically leave my normal environment to fully rest, away from routine, away from work. I find it very difficult to enforce relaxation when I am at home— there’s always so much to do and people to see.
moreover, travel is an opportunity for self-reflection: in observing another place, you naturally compare yourself and your life to what is before you. Don’t you agree?
Tropical flowers at the little market across from my hostel.
On Travel to Hawai’i
This was my first time in Hawai’i and I was very sensitive about being a respectful tourist in a place where the indigenous population is struggling to preserve sacred spaces and traditions and to simply exist under persistent colonialism. I found this Reddit thread very helpful when considering visiting Hawai’i.
The landscape on the Big Island was so varied. This red dirt colored the steep ascent to Mauna Kea. I didn’t go to the top of the volcano, but even at the visitor center we were above the clouds!
Regardless of its natural beauty, delicious poke, and relaxing beach spots, I felt hyper-aware of my outsider-ness, which, quite honestly, prevented me from enjoying my trip to the fullest.
I must stress this feeling was entirely self-imposed. No one at any time made me feel unwelcome!
Flowers on the Ohi’a tree, a sacred Hawaiian species threatened by invasive fungus. It’s gorgeous alien blooms reminded us of a volcanic eruption. Apt because we standing in a volcano crater!
My own feelings aside, I was inspired by many of the things I saw and experienced, and my dry, wintery skin relished a touch of sun and abundant ocean dips!
We missed a volcanic eruption at Volcanic National Park by 2 hours. Steam was still billowing when we got there.
I felt most inspired by the ever-changing landscape. My friend wanted to take us to a tide pool she’d visited, but couldn’t find it on the map. It had been covered by a lava flow in 2018!
This reminder of impermanence felt so comforting. Change is the only constant, and we are just tiny humans trying to make it through (to where exactly, I don’t know!). Thinking this way sometimes helps me put my problems into perspective.
humungous gourds!
Liliko’i, the Hawaiian word for passionfruit! Sadly, I only had one the entire time I was there— I couldn’t find it at any of the markets! Also, this yellow passionfruit variety was new to me. It is sweeter than the purple ones with the vibrant orange tart pulp and had surprising banana notes.
Flowers were everywhere and the evening air smelled like jasmine or honeysuckle. Something I couldn’t quite place, and never found the true source!
We found a poke spot in kona we loved and returned almost every day to pick up a bowl to bring to the beach.
Sunset above the clouds. I was shocked to learn that the elevation gain on this relatively small island was over 13k feet!
I learned while I was there the Jurassic Park was filmed on the Eastern side of the island which is covered in rainforest and waterfalls.
Endangered Monk seal! I also saw many breaching whales and sea turtles. 90% of Hawai’i’s flora and fauna are endemic to the islands!
healthy and happy cactus growing on the side of the road.
Life in Technicolor
Everything in Hawai’i was like seeing life through a high contrast, ultra-saturated lens. The bluest blues, the greenest greens!
Tastes and Smells
I saw many fruits and vegetables I had never seen before (and I consider myself quite worldly in the culinary department).
We visited a coffee farm and the famous kona coffee lived up to the hype; Rich and chocolaty.
Lava Textures
I found the various textures of the lava flows so interesting. Some places it was smooth and undulating, probably from erosion. Other spots it was porous and rough or piled like sludge.
of all the bits of inspiration I gathered while there, the lava texture was most intriguing— maybe because of parallels to molten metal!
Lava Stalactites in a cave.
sunset over a lava flow landscape.
porous lava rock at the ocean’s edge.
