I recently visited Hawaii, and I wanted to share my experiences with you all, from the sandy beaches and massive volcanoes to the vibrant city life.
The feel of the salty wind blowing through my hair, the sand between my toes, the vibrant and unique cities, the volcanoes—all were once mere dreams of Hawaii for me. Now, as someone who lives in the US, it felt almost wrong to have never set foot in this unique state. Since the pandemic began, my travel plans have been on hold, and balancing my studies in India with trips back to the US made travel challenging. Now that I’ve returned to the US, the chance to explore Hawaii myself finally arrived.
The journey began with a five-and-a half-hour flight to Honolulu, Oahu, that seemed to stretch on forever. Free airplane WiFi made the journey bearable. Upon landing, the thrill of being in Hawaii washed over me. After settling in, our first stop was the lively Waikiki Beach Walk, conveniently located right near where we were staying. The ambience, as well as its wide array of shops and live entertainment, immediately captivated me.
On our first day, we set off for the beach, as one naturally does upon arriving in Hawaii. Along the drive, we paused at several scenic points to take in the breathtaking views. Once at the beach, we basked in the sun and walked along the shore for a while before heading off to lunch. Although finding vegetarian options was a bit challenging, we eventually found a place that met our preferences. After lunch, we returned to our accommodation to cool off from the hot sun. Rested and refreshed, we returned to the Waikiki Beach Walk to enjoy the sunset and further explore the area.
Diamond Head, a famous volcanic landmark, invited us for an early morning hike. The trail, though slightly difficult, rewarded our efforts with stunning panoramic views of Waikiki Beach and the city of Honolulu. As the sun rose, casting its golden hues across the sky, I couldn’t help but marvel at the beauty of it all. The tranquil atmosphere atop the volcano made our early morning adventure truly unforgettable.
Following our hike at Diamond Head, we continued our exploration. After our previous beach outing, we spent the rest of the morning soaking up the sun at a different stretch of coastline. However, this beach offered more than just sand and water; it had a variety of tropical birds, and even a hen crossing the road with her young ones (yes, a chicken does cross the road to get to the other side). After a lunch at another hard-to-find vegetarian spot, we switched gears and visited the Ala Moana Center, the world’s largest open-air mall. We spent a couple of hours exploring its vast array of shops, boutiques, and attractions. With so much to see, we couldn’t cover it all in one go, but we still enjoyed its many offerings.
Our time in Oahu concluded on a high note, leading us to our next destination: Big Island. The following morning, we boarded a flight that started its descent just ten minutes after take-off — it was incredibly short– and we arrived in Kona, Big Island. The first thing I noticed was its open air airport, which was unlike any I’ve ever seen before. Despite its awe-inducing appearance, it did leave me to wonder how it would fare in the rain.
Our accommodation in Kona, Big Island, offered a stunning, unobstructed ocean view, making me feel as if I was in a Hawaiian dreamscape. The rest of the day was spent indoors, meticulously planning the next day’s adventures, which promised to be the most exciting yet.
First on the list was the Punalu’u Black Sands Beach, which lives up to its name with its distinctive black sand formed by volcanic materials and lava fragments. The sight was mesmerizing, and I even glimpsed a few rare hawksbill sea turtles, leaving me in awe. The island seemed to hold countless mysteries at every turn, and I was eager to discover what else awaited.
Continuing our adventure, we visited the Volcanoes National Park in Hilo, filled with its own plethora of attractions. Steam poured out of crevices in the rocks, filling the air with a sultry feel and the scent of ash. Bright yellow spots of sulfur dotted the area, inviting new vegetation. Despite the gentle drizzle, we eagerly explored the lava tubes, formed when the surface of a lava flow cools and solidifies. The entrance was enveloped in greenery, and the inside was illuminated by a soft yellow glow. The park offered a variety of wonders, but our journey continued to Akaka Falls, a massive 442-feet waterfall that nearly took my breath away. The fall is so big I couldn’t even see the bottom, no matter how hard I tried.
That evening we were able to attend a luau, a traditional and cultural dance show. Under the beautiful night sky, we enjoyed the rhythmic beats of traditional Hawaiian music and the hula dances that went with it, captivated by the dancers’ vibrant costumes. Torches flickered, casting a warm glow as we watched the festivities, experiencing the true spirit of aloha in every moment.
The next day took a historical and spiritual turn with a visit to the Pu’uhonua o Hōnaunau National Park, known for its rich cultural and sacred sites. This park, once a place of refuge for lawbreakers and warriors defeated in battle, offers a glimpse into ancient Hawaiian history and customs. The many pictures of the tiki statues I had seen online made me especially excited to visit this park and get a taste of Hawaiian culture. However, the sun had other plans. The heat was simply unbearable, and we had to retreat after a while.
Our last full day in Hawaii called for another beach, which happened to be our first one on Big Island. We settled for Kukio Beach, and I’ll be forever grateful we did. It was calm and quiet, with both sand and grass, gentle waves, and water showcasing a thousand different shades of blue. To top it all, the weather was perfect, creating an ideal way to end our stay in Hawaii.
But of course, we couldn’t actually leave the islands before buying some of its exquisite chocolate. We went to authentic Hawaiian chocolate stores, one of which was part of a cacao and coffee plantation. The sight of the cacao fruit growing on the trees was fascinating, showcasing the natural source of these delectable treats. Hawaii, known for its locally grown cocoa, produces some of the finest chocolate in the world. From wine berry chocolate to macadamia nut chocolate, we picked up an array of delicacies to enjoy back home.
The following morning was filled with last minute packing and a wild scramble to get to the airport. We had another five-and-a-half-hour long flight ahead, but this time I was prepared and luckily, there was free WiFi on this one too.
Returning home was a bittersweet experience. While I was glad to settle back into my regular routine, I couldn’t help but feel a hint of sadness at leaving behind Hawaii’s alluring culture and landscape. My time on the islands was an unforgettable adventure, filled with natural beauty and moments of awe, and I eagerly anticipate the day I can return to discover even more of it.
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