The Black Sand Beach Tour

I have discovered that one thing that I really love about the Big Island is that it likes to defy all of the stereotypically things about Hawaii. After all it is one of the few places that allow you to frolic in the sand and the snow in one day. The idea that Hawaii is full of these beautiful palm-tree lined glistening white sand beaches on every shore is another fantasy. The Big Island is the youngest island in the chain and is still growing in size. The island was created from lava, which is black. Over time, the water whacks against the rocks breaking them down into smaller and smaller pieces creating sand. With no established reefs to break the waves from shore, the beaches on the windward side of the island are rocky and almost all have black sand instead of white. 

On the outskirts of Hilo there is a line of beach parks that fill to capacity of a Sunday afternoon. Locals and their families set up camp along the shores with EZ-ups, coolers, and food for the grills. Another great thing about the Hawaiian culture is that they are all about family. If you are called Auntie or Uncle is a term of respect.

This off-shift I also took the opportunity to explore another area of the island called Puna with a co-worker. Puna has a reputation of being very hippy and very off the grid. I once heard someone say that a lot of PQ staff from the past have gone into Puna and didn’t come out. We both made it back to Hilo but there was a part of me that felt if the world was flat, I traveled to the edge the far edge. Hard to explain the feeling really but seeing a road sign that pointed you to the End of the Road was persuasive factor.

Monday, October 19^th: Hilo Tour with

Richardson’s Ocean park, Leleiwi Beach Park, Carlsmith Beach Park, Kealoha Beach Park, Onekahakaha Beach Park

Tuesday, October 20^th: Puna Bus trip, Kalapana, Kahena Black Sand Beach, Painted church

Almost All Local

I have worked at PQ now for three shifts, and feel so fortunate for the assignments I have been given. I have worked with all different parts of the program in three different locations. This has allowed me to get paid to interact with areas of the island that I thought I would have to seek out on my own. So, I decided for this off-shift I would try and keep things a bit more local.

First Friday in Hilo was hopping with local business staying open later exhibiting artists and musician all around town. I ran into some PQ peeps and joined them in checking out the contemporary art exhibit with up-cycled art. Always so inspiring!

The Horticultural Show was very educational as I am still trying to learn the flora and fauna for the islands. So of my greenhouse knowledge has carried over, but moving from zone 6 to zone 11 changes things. I am so thankful for the shipment of tropical plants Frey’s got this past season. I have seen them all in great abundance.

Kaumana Caves was a lesson in how to maneuver around Hilo without a car. Two car-less co-workers joined the adventure as we walked in dark places where lava once flowed.

Makalawena Beach broke the “local” rule `tis true, but one does not turn down an invitation to a place that is not accessible by bus.

Friday October 2^nd: First Friday

Saturday October 3^rd: Autumn Horticultural Show

Monday, October 5^th: Makalawena Beach

Wednesday, October 7^th: Kaumana Caves

HI-50 Hit List

One of the highlights about the place that I work is that most are transplants to the island and have been here longer than I have. This means they are a fantastic resource to figure out what should be seen and explored and tips for the best way to do so.

Naturally, I started a list – my Hawaii-50 hit list as I lovingly call it. On this off shift one of the big ones was crossed off – Green sand beach and the southern-most point of the United States. One of only a few in the world! I also took a bus trip in to Cowboy country in Waimea and hit one of the local sights: the planetarium. The origami exhibit showcasing the dance of art and science blew me away.

Thursday, September 17^th: Line Dancing

Friday, Septemeber 18^th: Library Card, making my move official 

Saturday, September 19^th: Waimea Parade and Ho`olaule`a

Tuesday, September 22nd: South Point and Papakolea Green Sand Beach

Wednesday, September 23^rd: `Imiloa Astronomy Center

Hawaiian Festivals 101

After 6 days of training, a 2-day break, and then my first official 8-day shift, the time to soak in the local area and the Hawaiian culture finally began.

One of the first things I learned about the Hawaiian way of life is that celebrations are a way of life. And so, I got my first introduction at festival celebrating the birthday of the last Queen of Hawaii – Queen Lili`uokalani. This celebration was the perfect introduction as there was food, hula dancing, `ukulele performances, and the grand showcase of 50,000 orchid blossoms being dropped from a helicopter!

The rest of my off-shift included some local exploration at Rainbow Falls (a mile from my house) and a bus ride to the other side of the island. The beauty of the drive was well worth the time it took to get there, the best way to survey the island by far. Now I know that if the rain gets too be too much for me on the windward side, I can always take a ride over to the leeward side to soak in the sun.

Sat. September 5: Lili`uokalani Festival, coconut Island (Moku Ola)

Monday, September 7^th: Rainbow Falls

Tuesday September 8^th: Kona Side Bus Ride

HI-50 Fill-in

August 17-25, 2015

First, I have to confess that I put a lot of pressure on myself in regards to my timeline once I landed in Hawaii. My flight was due to land at 1:30pm. For work, I had to get a drug test 2 hours later at a location that wasn’t too far from the airport. Naturally, I thought two hours would be more than enough – if everything ran smoothly, as in flights were on time. In the end, all did run smoothly as far as flights. I had no trouble getting on, and I even got to check my carry-on bag for free due to an overbooked flight. Little did I know that that decision was the best one I could have made. As I already had one bag already checked, what was the harm of adding a second?

When I arrived at baggage claim at the tiny Hilo airport. I stood and wait for the belt to start moving. And it did, just like clockwork. Bags started flowing out. After about 10 bags, everything stopped. We waited. Nothing. An employee made an announcement behind me that the rest of the bags were still in Maui and to come and fill out a claim.

I could not have been happier! All of the vacationers were a bit disgruntled, but I, the first one in line to file my claim, was 75 pounds lighter. My biggest worry about this whole move was the transport of all of my bags. And they were heavy. With only my small backpack, I could easily walk to my appointment. The airline would deliver my bags to the hostel I was staying at once the next flight from Maui arrived.

So my first day in Hilo included a hike to my appointment and then a hike to the hostel on the other side of town – baggage free! In totally I did about 4 miles, but it was well worth it.

Two days later, training started. Five of us from the training were staying at the hostel. After day one of a pretty intense training, we were no longer strangers. Everyone was pretty much in the same boat. All of us were trying to figure out how all of the pieces need to be arranged, and how the busy training schedule was going to give us anytime to try and find a place to live.

This is the part of the story that still amazes me. The journey to this point, the people met along the way played a very significant role. A visit with Laura led to a trip on a boat that led to a conversation with another women named Laura that had a sister-in-law that lived in Hilo. Emails where exchanged which led to a correspondence with a women named Elizabeth. After explaining my situation, Elizabeth hooked connect me with a women from her church named Dixie who just so happened to have a bike in storage that she wasn’t using. Elizabeth too is a teacher and happened to remember that one of the substitutes has rooms that she rents out. This led to another email with Lyn who had a room opening up in early September but also had a room that was available on a week-to-week basis.

Yesterday, I moved in. One might call this chain of events luck or coincidence. This girl, however, will claim it as purely providential.