Hawaii is a great spot for outdoor getaway

Rare species abound on Big Island

By Guy Carl
Outdoors

The islands of Hawaii are known for their beaches, marine life and warm tropical climate.

Each island has its own particular specialty, and there is perhaps no place on earth more unique than the “Big Island.”

Upon arrival at the Kona airport, you can’t be sure you’re even still on planet Earth. The bizarre landscape looks more the surface of the moon or a giant asteroid than a tropical island.

As is much of the island, the airport was carved out of a massive lava flow that had gushed forth from the gigantic volcano, Mauna Loa, several hundred years ago. The rippled rock spreads out for miles in many deliberate paths down from the 13,000-foot-plus-tall peak, finally disappearing into the deep blue waters of the Pacific Ocean.

The town of Kona is set on the western shore of the Big Island, which typically does not receive much rain.

In sharp contrast is the town of Hilo on the eastern shore, nestled in a rain forest and considered one of the wettest places on the planet.

Nearly every microclimate in between can be found here, and an equally wide variety of wildlife inhabits the different regions.

My wife Julie, along with my brother Gavin and his wife Carrie, accompanied me on an exploration of the island’s wildlife, landscape and culture.

Hawaii’s state bird is a small goose called the “nene.”

This native goose is listed as endangered, so it is not easy to find.

We were fortunate to spot a pair during a drive through Volcanoes National Park.

The geese landed right on the hardened lava just off the highway, and seemed quite at home here.

These birds are one of the many endemic species of Hawaii, meaning they are found nowhere else on earth.

Another Hawaiian native we encountered was the green (or hawksbill) sea turtle. These fellows are also listed as endangered, but conservation efforts have been very successful. We came across many turtles feeding in the shallow waters along the shorelines. One even crawled up on the shore to pose for a few quick photos before returning to his underwater midday meal.

The island is more than 4,000 square miles and continues to grow, thanks to new land being created in the form of new lava flows from Mauna Loa’s neighbor, Kilauea.

This volcano has been oozing lava continuously for the last 25 years in the southeast corner of the island, adding real estate by the day.

With all this space, the island has plenty of room for wild game animals, most of which have been brought here specifically for hunting purposes.

The wild turkey seems out of place in the tropics, but they have thrived here for over 200 years.

Spring and fall hunting seasons are available for these birds.

We encountered several flocks all over the island.

In the higher elevations on the flanks of Mauna Loa and its sister Mauna Kea live chukar, grouse, quail and several species of pheasant.

All are available for hunting on the sprawling Parker Ranch, located in the interior of the island.

Big game animals open for hunting include Polynesian boar and wild goat.

The boar was introduced by the first humans to inhabit the islands, arriving by canoe over 1,500 years ago from the south Pacific island of either Tahiti or Marquesas (depending which archaeologist you ask).

The wild goat was brought by the British Captain James Cook when he “discovered” the island chain for the western world in 1778.

They can often be seen along the western highways feeding in the plentiful grasses growing right out of the lava.

Our six-day adventure on Hawaii’s big island was, as we discovered, not nearly enough time to see it all.

We drove, hiked, snorkeled, and sailed — really only exploring a small fraction of the island’s beauty.

We will be back!

Guy Carl is a CPA and partner with BDCo Accountants and Advisors in St. Helena (www.bdcocpa.com). Contact Guy at GC.outdoors@sbcglobal.net.

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