Entering a New World: Leaving Hawai’i
Hawai’i vs. The Mainland ~ A comparison of the Hawaiian Islands to the east coast of the U.S. mainlandArchive for II.) A Beauty All Its Own: The Hawaiian Islands
The Big Island of Hawai’i
The Big lsland’s real name is the same as the state name: Hawai’i. It is the youngest of all the islands approximated at just over one million years old. The island is continuing to grow with the eruption of the World’s most active volcano, Kilauea (kill-ow-way-ah), located on the island’s southern half. Contrary to popular mainland belief, this is not the main nor the most populated island.
I used to vacation on the Big Island at KMC (Kilauea Military Camp) Mountain Cottages and Resort. Before moving to New Jersey, this was the closest I ever got to any type of winter weather. It got down to about 55 degrees when I’d vacation there. This was nothing like O’ahu, where the temperature ranges from 68 to about 82 degrees.
The seven other islands could easily fit on the Big Island with room to spare. The island is uncrowded with miles of uninhabited regions.
My family owns 9 acres of land on the Big Island and all of the property is basically a fern forest. The most technological break through there were telephone poles—no telephones though.
Many don’t know this, but there is snow on this island. People even snowboard on Mauna Kea (m-ow-nah kay-ah).
There is so much to this island. Anyone can type in “the big island” into a google search, but its nearly impossible to get insider insight from someone who has grown up on the big island.
I interviewed my friend and former co-worker, Regine Bishaw, 22, who was raised on the Big Island. She left right after high school to attend the state’s main university: The University of Hawai’i at Manoa on Oahu.
Regine Bishaw On The Big Island
Regine Bishaw, 22, was born and raised on the Big Island of Hawai’i. I interviewed her about her experience growing up on the island. This is her story.
How would you describe life on the Big Island?
Life on the Big Island is super chill. People who come to O’ahu, which for me is a fast pace place, think that it is laid back (which it is) compared to other cities in the Mainland, but if you go to the Big Island you will see a big difference. There’s not much to do on the Big Island, but it is an amazing place to visit and I loved growing up there, but there was a time, which was right after high school, that I felt I had to move on and experience more.
A little about my younger years…I grew up on a macadamia nut farm so my sister, brother and I had to find our own ways to keep busy. Read the rest of this entry »
Ostentatious O’ahu
I grew up in Hawai’i on the island of O’ahu. Let me clear up that the > ‘ < in the spelling of Hawai’i and O’ahu (or any other Hawaiian word) is not a typo. The Hawaiian race has its own language, alphabet and culture. The > ‘ < in the word Hawai’i is called an ‘okina and it works almost in reverse of an apostrophe—but looks just like it—actually extending the word by adding a slight but noticeable pause wherever it is placed in the word.
O’ahu is the main island out of the eight inhabited Hawaiian Islands. Famous tourist hot spots like Waikiki, Honolulu and Pearl Harbor are on my island. I actually worked in Waikiki for two years and I can tell you this—Waikiki is nothing like the rest of the islands or any other city and town in all of the state of Hawai’i.
O’ahu is very commercialized in comparison to the outer islands. Read the rest of this entry »
The Paradise Isles
The Hawaiian islands consist of 8 main islands. Hawai’i or “The Big Island,” O’ahu, Maui, Kaua’i, Moloka’i, Lana’i, Ni’ihau (Only those of a majority of Hawaiian descent are allowed here) and Koho’olawe.
The Big Island – This is the island where volcanoes erupt. There are no other active volcanoes on any other of the 8 main islands. Like it’s name, this is the biggest island and it’s continuing to grow.
O’ahu – The main island. Also considered “busy” to outer islanders. Although the most populated, it is only the third largest island.
Maui – The second largest island and home to Haleakalã crater, the world’s largest dormant volcano.
Kaua’i – The fourth Largest island and the oldest. Many Hollywood films are shot here because of its untouched natural beauty.
Moloka’i – The fifth largest island, some consider has the richest Hawaiian culture. Once was a leper colony where infected people were sent and treated by Father Damien.
Lana’i – A very secluded island with only two hotels on location! This small island has some of the best diving in the world
Ni’ihau – Privately owned by the Robinson family, this island is off-limits to the public. You need special permission to set foot on the island and it is rarely granted. Only about 200 people live here and they speak Hawaiian and are either full or a majority Hawaiian.
Koho’olawe – Formerly used as target practice for the U.S. Air Force and Navy, is now being cleaned of the left over shells. The public is not allowed here without permission.
