Saturday, April 2, 2011

Big Island

The Big Island of Hawaii is the largest of the eight major islands that make up the state of  Hawaii. The state counts a total of 137 islands including Midway which isn't technically part of the state. Only seven of the eight major islands are populated.

There are approximately 20 of the world's 26 climatic zones found on the Big Island. You can go from desert to savannah to subtropical to tropical rainforest in no time at all. On all of our visits to Hawaii we have been impressed by the non-commercial nature of the Big Island. On our last visit we still found roadside fruit and vegetable stands that were completely unattended, leaving to the honor system the exchange of cash for produce. It had a neighborhood atmosphere that was appealing to us and made us feel right at home unlike Oahu which had much more of a cosmopolitan feel.

Our first visit to the Big Island was December of 1999. Our son John had gone in September to work as an intern there and we kept promising him that we would be coming out to see Hawaii while he was there. Unfortunately, our visit was to try to find him, not to visit him. In that process of searching for him we grew to love the Big Island and its inhabitants.

We've had the privilege of returning to the Big Island twice since then and each time has been special. On one of those occasions we had the opportunity to take a spin around Oahu as well.

Have you ever visited the Big Island? What did you like best about it?

5 comments:

  1. I've never been to Hawaii, but I've always wanted to go.

    I hope you found your son. =)

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  2. I've never been to Hawaii, but I know people who have gone. They love it so much and go back as often as they can. Must be a beautiful place.

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  3. I would love to go to Hawaii. I have a cousin who lived on one of it's beaches for years. (long story) and I have friends who work there with Youth With a Mission. Hopefully with those connections, I'll get there someday!

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  4. India, thanks for your comment. Our book, Aloha is Forever, tells the whole story but no, we did not find our son.

    Luana, I hope you get a chance to visit Hawaii some day. It is truly beautiful and amazing.

    Linda, with those connections I hope you do get to go someday. On one of our trips we did the Family Foundations, Ancient Paths seminar for some of the YWAMer's who were doing the DTS. It was an unforgettable experience.

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  5. Thank you for visiting my blog today. No I have never ever been to the Big Island it is so diffaintly on the bucket list of msut do. Lots of different climates.
    Oh how beautiful it must be. One of my girlfreinds and her dear hbby retired there on Oahu. But have recently return to state side in Oregon. I dream of going.
    Blessings

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Thank you for sharing your thoughts.