ISLAND OF HAWAII

In the midst of Hawaii’s lush greens, the world’s most active drive-in volcano, Kilauea, reminds visitors of the might of the goddess Pele with stirring vistas of desolate lava fields laced with orange ribbons of flame. On the other hand, the black sands of beaches like Punaluu—made even more striking by the electric blue of the water—are a gift in return, with palm trees bursting from coconut shells and baby sea turtles poetically representing life among the ashes.

This contrast of improbability is one of the Big Island’s most striking characteristics. Tropical foliage grows in the valleys between the snow-capped mountains of the Mauna Kea. The rustic charm of cattle ranches, manned by paniolos, are only minutes away from the modern elegance of championship courses in the “Golf Capital of Hawaii.” Charming towns like Hawi beg to be explored on foot after a bike ride down the legendary Ironman Route, but driving becomes a delight with panoramic views on the Hamakua Heritage Corridor, the Pololu and Waipio Valley Lookouts, and the Valley of the Kings. All of this and more, on the island big enough to truly have it all.