Big Island Photos

The "Big Island" is formed from 5 large shield volcanoes. The highest, Mauna Kea (White Mountain) is actually the highest mountain in the world, when measured from it's base below the ocean's surface. This island is also home to one of the largest cattle ranches in the United States, The Parker Ranch. Climate varies from rain forests, to deserts, to snow capped mountains. "South Point" is also the southernmost place in the United States
A market place in Hilo
Hotel garden
Sacred Village
Why does a lava flow cross a road?
Lava flowing into the ocean
"Painted Church" - front view
"Painted Church" - rear view

Market Place in Hilo
Once or twice a week, there would be a market in Hilo where you could buy all sorts of fresh produce and cut flowers. Shown in the foreground are Anthuriums, grown in many areas of the "Big Island". Anthuriums are strange looking flowers that look more like plastic than a real plant. Bunches like these and other varieties of exotic flowers could be bought for about one to three dollars.

A Hotel Garden
This is the inner courtyard garden of a hotel in Hilo, the name of which is "Uncle Billy's", if memory serves me correct. This was a beautiful and quaint hotel, that made me feel like I was back in time about 30 years or so. Although it was a modern hotel with all the conveniences, the 70 year old banyan trees out front, the garden leading up to the ocean out back, and the relative peace of it's surroundings was a nice compliment to the crowds and noise of a Waikiki Beach hotel.

Sacred Village
This village was an important religious haven for the ancient Hawaiian people. All sins and transgressions would be forgiven, if the guilty party could reach this "Village of Refuge" by the ocean. Not a bad deal, since punishment included such practices as death by strangulation.

"Painted Church" - Front View
This church got it's name because the priest that founded it painted scenes from the bible throughout the interior of the church. In this way, he could teach the bible to the native Hawaiians, even if they could not read.

"Painted Church" - Rear View
This is a view of the back of the same church, showing the gardens, and the Pacific Ocean in the background.

	Market Place in Hilo Once or twice a week, there would be a market in Hilo where you could buy all sorts of fresh produce and cut flowers. Shown in the foreground are Anthuriums, grown in many areas of the "Big Island". Anthuriums are strange looking flowers that look more like plastic than a real plant. Bunches like these and other varieties of exotic flowers could be bought for about one to three dollars.
	A Hotel Garden This is the inner courtyard garden of a hotel in Hilo, the name of which is "Uncle Billy's", if memory serves me correct. This was a beautiful and quaint hotel, that made me feel like I was back in time about 30 years or so. Although it was a modern hotel with all the conveniences, the 70 year old banyan trees out front, the garden leading up to the ocean out back, and the relative peace of it's surroundings was a nice compliment to the crowds and noise of a Waikiki Beach hotel.
	Sacred Village This village was an important religious haven for the ancient Hawaiian people. All sins and transgressions would be forgiven, if the guilty party could reach this "Village of Refuge" by the ocean. Not a bad deal, since punishment included such practices as death by strangulation.
	"Painted Church" - Front View This church got it's name because the priest that founded it painted scenes from the bible throughout the interior of the church. In this way, he could teach the bible to the native Hawaiians, even if they could not read.
	"Painted Church" - Rear View This is a view of the back of the same church, showing the gardens, and the Pacific Ocean in the background.