The Big Island of Hawaii

When most people think of Hawai‘i, images of turquoise waters and sandy beaches come to mind. But the Big Island is a place of contrasts, a land where fire, water, and life meet in breathtaking harmony. During my recent journey, I had the privilege of exploring the island not only as part of my photo expedition on Mauna Kea but also to film for a cultural documentary created for a special event accompanying my lecture about NOIRLab's photo expedition. This project took me beyond the summit observatories and deep into the island’s landscapes, towns, and traditions. Each location I visited revealed another layer of the Big Island’s unique spirit, blending natural wonder with cultural richness.

Hilo Town: Gateway to the Island’s Heart

My journey began in Hilo, a town that feels both grounded and alive with history. Unlike the bustling resort areas of Kona, Hilo retains an authentic character, shaped by its local community, frequent rains, and lush surroundings. Wandering through its streets with my camera, I found a rhythm of life connected deeply to nature and tradition. Farmers’ markets overflowed with tropical fruits and local crafts, while the oceanfront revealed both serenity and the untamed power of the Pacific. Filming here allowed me to capture the everyday pulse of the Big Island.

Rainbow Falls: The Spirit in the Mist

Not far from Hilo, I visited the legendary Rainbow Falls (Waiānuenue). Cascading 24 meters into a lava cave below, the falls create a curtain of water where rainbows often appear in the morning sunlight. According to Hawaiian mythology, the cave beneath the falls is home to Hina, the mother of the demigod Māui. It is not just a waterfall, it is a living spiritual landmark.

Tropical Gardens: Where Nature Paints Its Canvas

From there, I followed the Old Mamalahoa Highway, winding through lush tropical gardens and eventually leading to the breathtaking Onomea Bay. The gardens were an explosion of color orchids, ginger, heliconia, and towering palms, each plant swaying under the warm rain showers that seem to define Hilo’s side of the island.

Akaka Falls

Continuing north, I reached Akaka Falls, perhaps the most iconic waterfall on the island. Dropping more than 130 meters into a gorge, Akaka is a spectacle of power and grace. To capture its scale, I worked with both wide panoramic shots and close-up textures of water and greenery, aiming to convey the immensity of the scene while retaining its intimacy. The surrounding trail was itself a paradise, winding through a jungle alive with birdsong and the sound of rushing water.

Laupahoehoe Point: A Shoreline of Memory

The next stop, Laupahoehoe Point, carried with it a more solemn mood. This rugged peninsula, shaped by crashing waves and volcanic rock, is a place of extraordinary beauty but also of tragedy. In 1946, a tsunami struck the area, claiming the lives of schoolchildren and teachers. Today, a memorial honors them, reminding visitors of both the power of nature and the resilience of community. As I filmed the waves striking the rocks with relentless force, I thought of the delicate balance between creation and destruction that defines life on volcanic islands.

Donkey Trail and Onomea Bay: Walking Through History

Exploring the Donkey Trail offered yet another perspective. Once used by pack animals to carry goods across the island, the trail winds through landscapes that feel untouched by time. Walking there, carrying modern equipment while imagining the lives of those who once traveled this same path, created a powerful connection to the island’s past. The textures of stone, foliage, and coastline along the trail made for some of my most evocative shots of the expedition.

Onomea Bay itself was one of the most cinematic landscapes I encountered. Waves thundered against volcanic rock, carving out dramatic coastlines where turquoise water contrasted with the deep black lava. Framing these scenes, I realized that this was the Hawaii most visitors never see: raw, wild, and deeply elemental.

Japanese Gardens: Harmony of Cultures

Back in Hilo, I spent time at the Liliʻuokalani Gardens, the largest Japanese-style gardens outside of Japan. With koi ponds, arched bridges, and meticulously landscaped grounds, the gardens are a testament to the cultural influences that have shaped Hawai‘i. Here, I wanted to capture a sense of serenity, the quiet beauty of still water reflecting lanterns and trees, the harmony of design that blends Japanese tradition with the Hawaiian environment.

‘Imiloa Planetarium: Bridging Sky and Culture

One of the most meaningful stops on my journey was the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center and Planetarium. Located in Hilo, ‘Imiloa bridges modern astronomy with traditional Hawaiian navigation and cosmology. Exhibits connect the telescopes atop Mauna Kea with the Polynesian voyaging tradition that used the stars to explore the Pacific. For me, as someone working to create visuals for immersive dome formats, it was especially moving to stand in a place where the planetarium becomes a cultural bridge between science and heritage.

A Cultural Journey Beneath the Stars

This journey across the Big Island was unlike any other. While my expedition to Mauna Kea focused on the challenges and triumphs of high-altitude astrophotography, this parallel project revealed the cultural and natural fabric of the island itself. From waterfalls and coastlines to gardens and trails, each place spoke with its own voice.

To capture these locations on film was to create a visual tapestry not just to show landscapes, but to evoke the spirit of Hawai‘i, where land, sea, and sky are inseparable.

As I prepare to share both the Mauna Kea expedition and this cultural documentary, I carry with me the profound sense that the Big Island is not just a backdrop for astronomy, but a living story of nature and culture woven together beneath the stars.