On the Road | The Big Island

The Detour That Changed the Pace

The Story

Hawai‘i wasn’t part of the plan. It was a feeling — one that hit somewhere between a cold Seattle night and a few well-earned beers after an Alaskan cruise. I was supposed to fly home. Instead, I swapped my ticket, bought a few shirts, and boarded a plane to Kona.

From the moment I landed on the Big Island, I knew the detour was the right one. Lava fields stretched in every direction. The air was warm, thick with ocean and openness. I checked into Hualalai just in time for dinner and my first sunset — live music playing, the Pacific turning gold. That set the tone.

The days that followed were a mix of adventure and stillness. I snorkeled with manta rays under moonlight, wandered coffee farms in Holualoa, and soared above volcanoes on a helicopter tour that made the world below look like a storybook. I played one of my best rounds of golf ever, shared a hometown laugh with a waiter from Metro Detroit, and sat poolside for long stretches doing nothing but breathing it all in.

This wasn’t a trip about landmarks or lists. It was about moments — the kind that catch you off guard and stay with you longer than you expect. Hawai‘i didn’t just surprise me. It slowed me down in the best way. And in that stillness, something new began.

What you’ll read below is the story behind the adventure.

🏕️ Where I Stayed

I stayed at the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, a place that somehow manages to be both extravagant and grounded. Lava-rock paths, private plunge pools, perfectly framed ocean views — it’s a resort that understands stillness without sacrificing service.

Other Luxe Alternatives Worth Considering:

• Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection – Understated luxury with a strong wellness vibe. Great for those who want adventure by day and stillness by night.

• Fairmont Orchid – Oceanside serenity with tropical gardens, a peaceful beach cove, and exceptional spa offerings.

• Holualoa Inn – Intimate, artsy, and perched in the heart of Kona Coffee country. Think warm wood, open-air lanais, and panoramic hillside views.

🧭 Exploration & Adventure

My days were filled with a blend of curiosity and awe. One day I toured the Heavenly Hawaiian Coffee Farm, winding my way up narrow mountain roads to learn about the history and heart of 100% Kona Coffee. Another day I spent in the ocean, floating under stars and lights during a night snorkel with manta rays near Captain Cook — an experience I won’t soon forget.

On July 3rd, I took part in a full-day Big Island Backroad Adventure, guided by a local expert who brought stories to life — from lava fields and microclimates to the tragedy and transformation of Captain Cook’s final landing.

⛳ A Round Worth Remembering

I played nine holes at the Hualalai Golf Course, one of the finest rounds of my life. Great instruction. Great energy. I started par-par-par-bogey-par — not bad for a 29 handicap. The course was immaculate, and the surroundings were even better.

🌅 Sunsets, Music, and Magic

On July 1st, I had dinner at the Beach Tree Restaurant, where the live band transitioned into Here Comes the Sun just as the real one slipped beneath the ocean. Local beer, good food, barefoot energy. Everything felt easy.

🎆 Fourth of July in Paradise

A helicopter tour on the 4th revealed the full scale of the island — lava cliffs, deep valleys, forest canopies, and rugged shoreline. That evening, the resort hosted a full Independence Day celebration: live music, buffet, drinks, and fireworks over the water. Not a bad way to cap off an unplanned getaway.

📸 Photography Moments

Hawai‘i is light and texture and movement. I give it a 9.0 OTR Rating because every hour of the day feels like a different kind of story. You get layers — lava, palms, mist, water, light. Whether shooting from a helicopter, standing in a coffee grove, or floating beside a manta ray, the camera never had to search for meaning.

🧾 Destination Experience Scorecard

📍 What the Numbers Mean

Where numbers meet feeling.

Each destination I visit is scored using the On the Road Experience Scorecard™ — a blend of photography potential, culture, vibe, food, adventure, and stillness. But beyond the numbers, each place leaves a feeling behind — and that’s where the meaning lives.

8.9 | A Place That Lives for the Light

Visually extraordinary. Built for golden hour. Meant for wide-open lenses and quiet awe.