Hawaiian Adventures part 2: The Big Island

From Kauai's serene beauty, we moved to the bustling and contrasting landscape of the Big Island. The transition felt akin to switching from a tranquil South Carolina coastal town to the lively beaches of Miami. Upon arrival, the social challenges were glaringly apparent - we encountered many people experiencing homelessness, camped out by the beaches. One image that particularly struck us was of an older woman with long matted hair, seemingly struggling with mental illness, wandering aimlessly from one establishment to another. As a church stood nearby, we couldn't help but pray that they offered assistance to those in need right outside their walls and that we do our best to do the same.

Our first full day on the Big Island was packed with exploration - a 12-hour tour that encompassed everything from Volcanoes National Park and black sand beaches to the rain-soaked waterfalls of Hilo, one of America's rainiest cities. The island, with its striking range of climates - 11 out of the world's 13, we learned - showcased an array of diverse and contrasting landscapes.

We started our journey on the coast, visiting a Kona coffee farm to learn about the coffee-making process, followed by a black sand beach, home to giant turtles napping on the shore. The desert regions, with their unique, moon-like landscapes, were unlike anything we'd seen before.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, with its fields of hardened lava and active volcanoes, was a raw and humbling reminder of nature's power. We narrowly missed witnessing the Kilauea volcano spewing lava, but the terrain already sculpted by previous eruptions was a sight to behold. As we headed back, the landscape changed again, with rolling fields and pastures housing cattle and horse ranches marking the way.

On our second day, we did Hanns' favorite activity - a submarine ride on the Atlantis, offering a glimpse into the rich marine life below. Our final planned adventure - a sunset view and stargazing session from the summit of Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano, and the tallest sea mountain worldwide - unfortunately fell through. An accident had damaged part of the road to the peak, and we could only make it to the 9,000 feet high visitor's center. Despite the disappointment, we remained appreciative of all the unique experiences the Big Island offered. With its snow-capped mountains, lush rainforests, desert regions, and stunning beaches, Hawaii is a haven for landscape lovers.

The wide-ranging travels of our sabbatical - from Telluride to Svalbard to Hawaii - have deepened my gratitude for our beautiful planet. Inspired by this journey, Hanns and I intend to explore more of nature's wonders in the months to come, with visits planned to places like Red 
River Gorge and Yew Dell botanical gardens.

I am very grateful to my congregation for supporting this invaluable time away alone and with my family and for the Lilly Sabbatical grant that made it all possible.