The Big Island: geographic diversity

"The Big Island is the southernmost and easternmost of the Hawaiian Islands--it is also the largest. This island dwarfs all the others in the Hawaiian chian at 4,028 square miles and growing. It accounts for about 63 percent of the state's total landmass; the other islands could fit within it two times over. With 266 miles of coastline, the island stretches about 95 miles from north to south and 80 miles from east to west." Moon Handbooks Big Island of Hawai'i by Robert Nilsen.

The above picture is where we stayed in the little area of Puako. The house is on the far right hidden by the trees. You'll notice the desert-like land in the foreground and the green near the ocean. This west side of Hawai'i only gets about 10 inches of rain per year.

This picture is taken from the helicopter. We were approaching Hilo on the east side. The contrast is that Hilo is one of the wettest cities in the U.S. getting over 200 inches of rain per year. Hilo is less than two hours from where we stayed in Puako.

Above is lava coming from Kilauea on the southeast side of the island.

This is the ranchland where Amy and daddy rode horses. It's in the north, only about 45 minutes from the desert area.

These are trees in the Volanoes National Park. The air quality is acidic due to volcanic activity. I wonder if that's why they look so bare or if that's just the nature of that type of tree.

This is Akaka Falls near Hilo. The falls drop 442 feet to the pool at the bottom.

I was most fascinated by the diversity of the island and it's demonstration of God's power. While we are subject to God's power wherever we are I was more aware of it in Hawai'i because of the possibility of volcanoes erupting and tsunamis approaching. While we played in the ocean I noticed the strength of small waves. They knock you over. They sat my dad down a couple times. My brother-in-law was knocked into some coral and needed 10 stitches. I can hardly imagine the strength of a tsunami.

All these differences are cause for praising God for His creativity and His mercy in allowing us the fun and safety we enjoyed. I'm sure I'll have more later. ; )