Hawaii 2024: 1) Intro

During my daughter's last spring break, we visited Hawaii. Which island? Hawaii. I was curious why Big Island has the name while other islands have more Hawaiian(?) names like Ohau or Maui. It turns out that “Hawaii” is its actual name, and Americans simply started calling it the Big Island to avoid confusion with the state’s name—what a witless naming. 

We caught an early morning flight from San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC). Initially, I expected SJC to be like most typical American domestic airports, but I found it surprisingly more convenient, likely due to fewer crowds compared to SFO. Upon arrival at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA), I was greeted by a cozy yet distinctly exotic ambiance. The drive to the hotel was lined with basalt, evoking memories of my hometown, Jeju Island.

We stayed at the Hilton Waikoloa Village, where I could use my Hilton Honors points for a five-night stay. The resort was a luxurious all-in-one beach destination, complete with expansive pool areas and a beach lagoon. The property was so vast that trams were needed to navigate around, and although they moved almost at walking speed, they were a welcome relief after a long day of activities. Interestingly, the tram announcements were in both English and Japanese, suggesting that Japanese guests once predominated here. However, it now attracts a diverse crowd from across the globe.

Staying at a luxury resort like Hilton Waikoloa Village was delightful, but perhaps not the most practical choice given our plans to explore the island extensively each day—yes, it was 'Big' Island. As a result, I managed only a couple of visits to the pool and a single trip to the lagoon. Despite this, simply walking around the resort was an exotic adventure in itself. The breathtaking sunsets there were the perfect complement to our days filled with exploration.