Hello my faithful readers. Well this is slightly awkward. It’s truly amazing how a few short months can change the world so drastically. I promised Part 4 of my Hawaii Big Island Experience would be coming out shortly…..way back in February. I truly do apologize for the months of silence on this blog. I will have to give an update of how the Covid-19 pandemic has altered my life. But right now, I find myself reminiscing on the beautiful beaches I got to experience on the Big Island of Hawaii back on my birthday week in January, and I’m eager to share them with you.
Day 4 on the Big Island was a long and adventurous day. I took a 2 hour road trip, injured my foot at the beach, hiked down and up a mountain, and returned home utterly exhausted. I still remember the chuckles of my cousin Celica as she provided the supplies to properly clean and bandage my wound.
“Ay, pobrecita. Not even a week in Hawaii and you’re already injured!”
So while I had big plans for day 5, such as zip lining or hang gliding, it is no surprise that I inevitably decided to take it easy and spend the majority of the afternoon relaxing on the beautiful black sands of Punalu’u Beach.
Punalu’u, Black Sand Beach
Punalu’u AKA Black Sand Beach is one of my favorite beaches on the Big Island. Just look at this BEACH!
The charcoal black sand is a stark, yet beautiful contrast to the white sands that most are accustomed to.
The environment at this beach is so chill and peaceful. Since I didn’t want to disrupt the bandage on my foot, I opted not to get into the water, but I was more than satisfied to find a spot on the sand and read a good book as I enjoyed the nature around me.
Punalu’u is also known for the sea turtles that come to rest on shore from time to time. I was lucky enough to spot a couple just chilling!
But one of my favorite aspects of Punalu’u is the sand itself. It is really difficult to describe how therapeutic it is to play with the sand in your hands or under your feet. Somehow, the individual grains feel both coarse and smooth. It feels different than white sand, and probably a bit larger, but it is glossy and mesmerizing both to see and feel when turning over the grains in your hands.
You’ll just have to visit Punalu’u and feel it for yourself!
Journey to Kona
The remaining beaches that I’d like to introduce to you are found on the Kona side of the Big Island. My cousin and I had the liberty of spending the long, MLK weekend in a hotel held on the more touristy, but no less beautiful city of Kona.
Walking the streets in Kona gives a much different feel than in Hilo. With the several marketplaces and waterfront restaurants to choose from, Kona is lively and exciting, and is the perfect place to go if you’re missing that “big city” feel on the big island.
While staying in Kona, I will always remember my experience on Day 7 on the Big Island, when we visited Kua Bay, and the City of Refuge.
Kua Bay
My stay on Kua Bay was different than any of my previous Hawaii Beach Days for a couple reasons. First, since this was on the weekend, Celica, her husband and her baby actually got to go to the beach with me. It’s a lot more fun when you’ve got family and friends to share your experiences with!
Secondly, unlike before, this time I had the opportunity to fly my drone around, capturing stunning images and footage of the bay from above.
I. LOVE. THIS. BEACH!
My love for Kua Bay may very well be tied to my personal experience there, and not necessarily the beach itself, but I still think it can hold its own. Divided in half with a rocky side and a sandy side, Kua Bay has terrain for everyone. It’s so much fun to play or sit on the rocks, and let the water splash you. Or, venture over to the crystal clear waters at the sandy side, and ride the waves to your hearts content.
I just have so much love for this beach, I feel like it was my first “real” beach experience on the Big Island, despite visiting several beaches prior. Do not miss Kua Bay if you find yourself in Kona!
The City of Refuge
After Kua Bay, Celica and I packed up for a trip to the City of Refuge, one of the most important historical reservations on the Big Island. I still chuckle now, as I remember on our car ride over, how Celica tested me on my ability to pronounce the official name for the City of Refuge. Are you ready for it? It’s a mouthful.
Pu’uhonua O Hōnaunau
Try saying that five times fast!
The City of Refuge is a preservation on how the ancient Hawaiians used to live centuries ago. Living huts, hunting boats, tools, household items, pebble games, statues and more can be seen as they would have been if their way of life was not interrupted and colonized.
I think it’s important to pay your respects to these types of these reserves. It was such a beautiful city, and the deep history and stories rooted into it made me feel, for a second, like I was back in time, living life as the Hawaiians would.
We got to see the chief’s living area, with his own private pond to fish in exclusively, and were told the story of how no one was permitted to look at the chief, or even step into his shadow, lest he be executed. However, if someone were to commit a crime, they could escape to the City of Refuge, and find pardon and safety there.
It really was an awesome experience to walk through this preservation of history.
Ending Day 7 on the Big Island with a beautiful, sunset dinner, I was completely hyped to finally visit the famous Hapuna Beach on Day 8.
Hapuna Beach
Hapuna is HUGE! At half a mile from end to end, Hapuna is by far the largest beach I visited on the Big Island. It is perfect for surfing, swimming, picnicking, or to satisfy any of your beach cravings.
For my first 2 hours on the beach, I played at the shore, flew my drone, challenged the waves, got dunked in the water, and walked the entire length of the beach. And for the remaining 3 hours, I mainly sat on the sand, read a good book, and took a nap under the sun.
I love beaches, okay! I can almost never get “beached out.”
Celica and her husband had to leave Hapuna a few hours earlier than I did, so the activities for the rest of the evening were entirely up to me.
I ate an amazing pumpkin curry at an authentic, Thai restaurant, then drove the 2 hours back to my temporary home in Volcano Hawaii.
It was Monday evening. MLK day, and my last full day on the Big Island. My flight to begin my travels back to Memphis would be leaving at 4 pm the following afternoon. During these past 8 days, I felt like I only scratched the surface of what the Big Island had to offer, and seeing as I have family here, it is only natural and expected that I return one day to continue my adventures.
This concludes my Hawaii series for now. I actually have one more (fortunately unfortunate? hilariously frustrating?) story to share on how I got stuck in Honolulu for a day on my return trip to Memphis, but I’ll leave that story to be told at another time.
Thank you all for sharing in my tale! Keep safe, and stay away from that bug!
Bonus Content!
Craving more marvelous beaches? Check out my vlog on the experience!
