Our earliest trips to the Hawaiian Island were primarily to Oahu and Maui. When my brother moved to the Big Island over 45 years ago, we added that to our itinerary and today it is one of my very favorite places!

The map shows the districts of the island. With 10 different climate zones, conditions vary dramatically from one part of the island to another. You will find everything from tropical rainforest in the east to arid, sun-drenched desert north of Kailua-Kona along the Kohala coast, temperate zones inland throughout the island, arctic polar tundra at the summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, and everything in between. I’ll feature the Kona side with this post and the Hilo side in the future. The differences are totally striking!

This is an island for love!

A special place to embrace the wonder.

The azure sea and unique coastline are captivating.

Picking out the perfect beach is of course subjective as locals and visitors have their favorites. One of my favorites is Anaeho’omalu Beach above, which locals call “A” Beach.

Another favorite is at the Mauna Lani Beach Club at Makaiwa Bay. Beach chairs are for resort visitors, but the beach can be accessed by the public. Although this protected bay is calm enough for beginner swimmers and children during the summer months and most of the winter, some may find the winter surges and currents are far too strong for novice swimmers and children.

Girls just want to have fun!

The look on Marla’s face says this is a wonderful little place for an easy swim at “Keiki Beach Queen’s Bath” in Kailua. Click on link for access info.

The boys of summer. Our grandsons are getting stoked to try out kayaks and hydro bikes.

On a 2018 trip my nephew, Kekoa, showed us one of his favorite beaches at Waialea Beach 69 just south of Hapuna beach. Very quiet and natural with twisted Kiawe trees at the water’s edge.

Grandson Owen loves the beach!

“Can I get a little help here?”

Our daughter Lisa enjoys the Mauna Lani Beach Club.

Adventurous seafarers

“OK…I think I’ll keep my day job!” I definitely will not be in Paddleboard Magazine anytime soon!

You can tell my brother Gary and nephew Kekoa are totally enjoying my favorite breakfast spot, 808 Grindz Cafe, in Kailua Kona. Their restaurant in Lahaina, Maui, is fabulous as well! I sure miss their Portugese sausage! This is a local’s favorite!

A treasured 2016 Big Island memory of …All The Girls!

A 2013 memory. My niece, Marlena, joined us as well.

We found a large 2020 home rental in the Kolea development in the Waikoloa area to accommodate 12 of us. We loved it! Daughter Lisa, husband Ray, and grandsons Logan and Paxton above.

A 2016 memory in the Mauna Lani estates.

The only thing the grandchildren asked for was, of course, POG Juice and Maui Chips!

We LOVE our Mai Tais!

When you are cooking for a big group (or a small one for that matter) you want the freshest seafood! My go-to spot for years is “Da Fish House” near the Kawaihae Harbor. I love it when they have Mahi-Mahi and Ono!

Marla and I never miss driving to Waimea for their Saturday Farmer’s Markets.

Kekoa and brother Gary were the head chefs one evening on our 2020 trip. Kekoa cooked an incredibly delicious Opah for 14 of us. Gary’s garlic bread was superb!

Big Island explorations in the North Kohala area. Near the tiny town of Kapaau is the historic 1886 Tong Wo Society building.

Paxton looks out at the Pololu Valley Lookout. This is as far as the road goes at the northern end of the island. There is a trail down to the black sand beach far below.

Drive east from Waimea and turn left to Honokaa. Then drive east to the beautiful Waipio Valley Lookout. You can hike down to the black sand beach. Due to recent road problems a shuttle is used to take people to the lookout.

Take a Big Island shoreline hike.

The Big Island sunsets are breathtaking!

Stacy takes a picture at Anaeho’omalu Beach.

The sunset view from our Kolea rental.

A marvelous sunset at a 2018 Kailua Kona condo rental.

Sunset during our 2016 Mauna Lani Estates trip.

Mesmerizing!

If you are lucky to coordinate your travel dates, the Kokua Kailua Village Stroll happens once a month. A super fun evening of shopping, dining, music and hula.

We love exploring the tiny towns in the hills above Kailua Kona. Touring the Holualoa Inn is very interesting. The owner collected fabulous Asian antiques and the inn features them throughout. The weather is cooler up here.

I snap to attention when the lady with the wine arrives! Patty has been a good friend since high school in Northern California. She invited Marla and I along with great high school friends Nancy, Linda, and husband, David, to spend a week at her beautiful beachfront home in the Kona Bay Estates. So much fun!

A quick group shot before a sunset dinner!

Patty’s hammock is perfect for watching a sunset. Keiki Beach is a short walk away.

Marla cools off in the pool.

Marla was out early with her cup of Kona coffee and her Sudoku. Patty’s house is available for rental, but you need to plan pretty far in advance. Click on the link: Patty’s home rental in the Kona Bay Estates.

I’m chilling out at our Kolea 2020 rental. “Can someone bring me a Mai Tai?”

I’ll do a post on the beautiful Hilo side of the island soon.

Photos: Dick Gentry (Except “Kokua Kailua Village Stroll). Photos not to be used without permission.