Hawaii 1999 Album - The Big Island
Trip #3, island #1
For Sonia and I this was our third trip to the island of Hawaii, for Catherine, this was her second. We landed in Hilo, spent some time looking at the Liliuokalani Gardens, had dinner, and then drove up to the area near Volcanoes National Park where we stayed at the HaleKilauea B&B. Arriving in Hilo in the afternoon, I thought we would avoid the typical morning shower we had encountered previously. We did, only to find the occasional afternoon shower. Of course with daily rain the waterfalls are always running.
note: Each of the photographs is a thumbnail image of the original. Just click on the thumbnail to view the full size picture.
"...as in daily."
Rainbow Falls
The coast around Hilo is very beautiful. The daily showers (usually in the morning) give rise to lush vegetation and scenic beauty. 
Hilo is on the east side of the Big Island. The moisture laden clouds pass over Hilo and drop some of their moisture as they climb Mauna Loa or Mauna Kea (both 13,000+ feet shield volcanos). The picture of the coast on the left is of Onomea Bay near the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden. We spent half a day touring it last trip.
The daily rain on the eastern side of the island also gives rise (or should that be 'falls') to many waterfalls. This one is Rainbow Falls. To me, the most dramatic falls are those that go right into the ocean.
"...you get wet!"
Could this be the car from yesterday's hikers? 
"...volcano=1, civilization=0"
When lava flows there is very little that stands in its way. The picture on the left above shows a 20 foot high flow of lava that went right over the road. The picture on the right is standing on top of the flow looking back to the road. The flow itself covered about a quarter mile of the road. This area is near the Kalapana area t the 'end' of Route #130
Buildings and other structures also disintegrate in the path of the on coming lava. Land location on the island is rated by the likelyhood that it will be 'involved' in a lava flow.
The majority of Hawaii's volcanos are of the 'shield' type rather than the 'cone' type. I read a comment somewhere in relation to the laid back lifestyle of the Hawaiian Islands -- even their volcanoes are laid back.
Of course it doesn't take nature long to begin making the barren lava into useful soil. Ferns are among the first colonizers of lava flows. 
Along with the weather they begin the process of making soil. What looks like a 'V' in the picture at the left is the impression made by the crotch of a tree engulfed by the lava. The wood eventually burned out, but not before the lava around it had cooled.
Lava exposed to the air begins to cool. A variety of surface patterns form and are often later distorted by the continued movement of lava beneath the thin crust. Most major flow develop 'lava tube' which carry molten lava many miles from its source, usually down to the ocean.
"...volcano=1, ocean=1"
The contest is sort of a draw. There is no clear winner or loser. As you might expect, hot lava entering the ocean produces a lot of steam, but depending on the consistency and temperature of the lava, it may also cause the lava to explode into a fine gravel.... the birth of a 'black sand' beach. Back from the ocean the ferns do their thing. These pictures were taken near Kaimu.
Closer to the ocean, coconuts, carried by the waves, replace ferns as the primary 'colonizers' of the lava.
The coconut husks are waterlogged from their ocean voyage and the young plants get additional water from the morning mist and showers.
Being in the middle of this island building process, a process which spans thousands of years, gives me pause... What is my life and what is it's impact on this earth?
"compared to the East, it's a desert!"
Hapuna beach
We came here twice, first the day we discovered it, then the second time we came back for the great snorkeling.
While the volcanic areas had their own charm, we welcomed the opportunity to bask on a regular sand beach and do a little snorkeling.
Having dropped their moisture to get over the mountains, there is little moisture left for the western side of the island. But this is not to say that the western part of the island is not inhabited.
Quite the contrary, there are plenty of signs of colonization. Earlier Hawaiian settlers left a variety of petroglyphs which tell us a little about the interests and outlook on life. More modern settlers also leave their mark.
Although probably classified as graffiti, these roadside marking, made with white coral, somehow seem less offensive than the spray painted symbols of most urban settings.
