The end of road was once a treasured Hawaiian fishing village called Kalapana.
It was also the site of one of the largest and nicest black sand beaches. But in 1990, Madame Pele changed the landscape of Hawaii dramatically. From April through December of that year, lava flowed relentlessly, burying the town and the Royal Garden Subdivision under 10 meters of molten rock.
When you visit Kalapana today, the devastation of 20 years ago is still obvious, but so is the vision of rebirth.
Uncle Robert’s & The Village Café (for lunch)
Uncle Robert is the patriarch of Hawai'i Island's southeastern village of Kalapana (the area is also called Kaimu).
His family compound is a well-known spot in this area. If you are lucky, you can hear him speak about life in days gone by and about living through Pele's awesome activities that have literally covered hundreds of homes in this region. Uncle Robert’s House, one that was spared the destruction of the lava flow, has photos of the village in pre-disaster times, along with an interesting nature trail. The stop is worth your time.
You go to this little shop (it's in Hilo), Solomon comes out to greet you and voila - a big bowl of poke - TO YOUR TASTE (extra garlic, ginger, kokui nuts, YUMO) Oh and for those of you not familiar with the term (poke), it's just like sashimi (raw fish) but usually comes with a mild sauce, seaweed, kokui nuts, etc. A staple here in Hawaii. Plus Solomon is so sweet, he always gives you more than you pay for!!! Yeah you "could" go to Safeway and get poke and get more variety, but why would you? Thanks Solomon, that's the way to make people keep comin' back 8-)
Things are different living on an island. Composting and recycling here is just the way of life. When you live here for a while it just becomes second nature. There is no "trash pick up" like on the mainland. You are responsible for taking your own garbage/trash to the waste station (dump).
And please don't call the mainland the "U.S."... this island is also the "U.S."!
Sustainability is what life here is also all about. Growing a small garden is commonplace, even if it is only for salad greens or herbs or pineapples, papaya, bananas or a citrus or two. In mango season it RAINS mangos on the roads!
Legend has it that two deities — the volcano goddess Pele and the demi-god Kamapua'a (the latter of whom could control the weather) — struck a deal to make the vast Big Island of Hawaii's west side so dry, and its east side so wet. The story's short version is that, after a battle, the pair divided the island in two, with Pele taking the western half and Kamapua'a, the eastern.
Climate & Geography Even so, the island's weather isn't so cut-and-dried. Twelve distinct climate zones exist here, ranging from East Hawaii's tropical rain forests and Mauna Kea's frozen tundra to Ka'u's arid desert in the south.
Covering 4,028 square miles, the Big Island (or the "Orchid Isle") is the youngest and largest of the Hawaiian Islands — twice the size of all the other major Islands combined. And with two of the five volcanoes that created the island still active, it continues to grow: Kilauea Caldera is the longest continuously erupting volcano in the world, its present eruptive phase dating back to 1983; Mauna Loa, meanwhile, last erupted in March of 1984, sending lava to within a few miles of East Hawaii's Hilo town. Of the remaining three volcanoes on the island, Mauna Kea and Kohala are extinct, while Hualalai is considered to be dormant, having last erupted in 1801.
Hawaii is the youngest island in the chain, and it continues to grow. Kilauea Caldera is the longest continuously erupting volcano in the world, its present eruptive phase dating back to 1983. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is a short drive from Hilo (castle’s side of the island) Kailua-Kona is on the “other” side, just a short 2-3 hour drive (depending on how you drive and what you want to see). Each year the Big Island plays host to a number of world-renowned festivals and sports events, the most notable being the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival (in Hilo each April), the Ironman Triathlon World Championships (in Kona every October) and the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival in November.
Fifteen miles off the island's southeast coast yet another volcano, Lo'ihi, is erupting 3,000 feet below the surface of the ocean. While it will still be several thousand years before this volcano breaks the sea's surface, it has already risen more than 10,000 feet from the sea floor and has a crater that measures three miles across.
Kamehameha the Great, who unified the Hawaiian Islands under one king for the first time in 1810, is believed to have been born in the Big Island's North Kohala area.
Captain James Cook, who is widely considered to be the first European to set foot in the Hawaiian Islands, was killed at Kona's Kealakekua Bay in 1779.
The Big Island's official flower is the lehua 'ohi'a.
The tradition of lei-giving has managed to flourish throughout the years. A lei is a common symbol of love, friendship, celebration, honor, or greeting. In other words, it is a symbol of Aloha. They are given for every celebration imaginable—graduations, parties, dances, weddings, and even at the office. In Hawaii, any occasion can be considered special and “lei-worthy.” No one can resist the vibrant colors, the intoxicating fragrances, or the beautiful tradition of Hawaii’s most recognized icon…the lei.
History of the Lei The custom of the flower lei was introduced to Hawaii from the various surrounding Polynesian islands and even Asia. In ancient Hawaii, wearing a lei represented wealth, royalty, and rank. Lei were also associated with hula.
Most Hawaiians preferred the Maile lei--a leafy vine that has fragrant spicy-sweet leaves that is draped and worn open-ended to the waist. However, royalty and Hawaiian chieftains favored the fiery, vibrant Ilima—a thin orange blossom that requires hundreds of flowers to make a single lei strand. Hawaiian Princess Kaiulani’s favorite lei was the Pikake—named after the peacocks in her garden—for the heavenly white blossoms and sweet jasmine fragrance.
The state of Hawaii is consists of eight major islands and each island has its own designated lei, however most lei are unavailable for shipping to the mainland due to strict agricultural laws.
Hawaii – Lehua
Oahu – Ilima
Maui – Lokelani
Kauai – Mokihana
Molokai – Kukui
Lanai – Kaunaoa
Niihau – Pupu
Kaho’olawe – Hinahina
Before there was air travel, tourists arrived to Hawaii via boat. Many old Hawaiians retell their stories of “boat days” with fond memories. When the boat would arrive at the dock, it was a social celebration with lei greeters, hula dancers, music, and photographers.
Since May 1, 1928, Hawaii has celebrated every May first as it’s official “Lei Day.” Hawaiians call it “May Day” and it is celebrated with Hula, parades, and music. Everyone in Hawaii is encouraged to wear a lei on May Day.
Lei Etiquette Lei can be worn, received, or given for almost any occasion. In Hawaii, a lei is given for an office promotion, a birthday, an anniversary, a graduation, or any special event. Yet more notably, a lei can be worn for no other reason than to enjoy the fragrance, take pleasure in the beautiful flowers, or simply, to celebrate the “Aloha Spirit.”
Never refuse a lei! Always graciously accept the lei with a toothy smile and a kiss on the cheek. (If you don’t feel comfortable with giving or receiving a kiss on the cheek, a warm hug is acceptable!) If you are allergic or sensitive to flowers, then discreetly and apologetically slip-off the lei. It is acceptable and considered a kind gesture to offer the lei to your spouse if you are unable to wear it.
Last, but not least, there is one more taboo…it is considered impolite to give a closed (tied) lei to a pregnant woman. Many Hawaiians feel that a closed lei around the neck is bad luck for the unborn child. (Head Hakus and open-ended leis are acceptable to give to pregnant woman.)
There is a lei in our name, I just noticed: cast lei nhawaii
We are "infested" with butterflies... why is that a dilemma? Our FAVORITE things are butterflies BUT they EAT plants - right now they are eating the lilliquoi (passion fruit) that climb up the castle (can you see the leaves on the third picture?) 8-( They also come into the castle... anyone have any suggestions?
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