wandering the big island

The trip had been in the works for quite some time—a long-anticipated promise to a child captivated by dinosaurs and the magic of molten earth. For Wilder, the distant volcano had become a symbol of adventure: so near it felt touchable, yet always just out of reach. The plan was simple—once school ended, the island would be waiting. And just in time, he had begun to snorkel on his own, gliding through the water with newfound confidence. The Big Island, with its crystalline waters and lava-rock shores, seemed the perfect place for discovery.

Life unfolded differently. On the very last day of school, a fall from the monkey bars left him with a broken arm and a bittersweet start to summer. Though the cast limited what he could do, the spark in him remained. Energized and undeterred, he explored with curiosity and resilience, navigating the journey with both awe and frustration.

From the emerald cliffs and black sands of Pololū Valley to the winding ascent through Kohala toward the sunset on Mauna Kea, each moment brought its own form of wonder. At Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, the family chased signs of Pele, the island’s enigmatic force—goddess of both creation and destruction. She revealed herself only in glimpses, arriving in the deep hours of night while children dreamed. Though her full presence remained hidden, the experience lingered. The children now speak of her cave with reverence, already imagining a return, hopeful that chanting to her might one day bring her out to play.

There was serenity, too; in the mist of Rainbow Falls, in the sacred refuge of Pu‘uhonua o Hōnaunau, and in the quiet rhythm of waves at Two Step Beach. Though the original vision of the trip had shifted, the essence of it endured. Wonder found its way in, as it always does, through detours and surprises.

Photos and brief video clips only hint at the richness of those six days. What truly remains is something quieter and deeper—a memory shaped not by perfection, but by presence. The island, with all its spirit and contrast, left its mark. Hawai‘i, they will return. There is more to see. More to feel.

photos : keith ketchum