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#CatTravels: Big Island bound

By Catherine Toth Fox • February 21, 2014 • #CatTravels

volcano ohio lehua

I told myself last year that I wasn’t going to travel as much in 2014.

It was taking me away from my work, I was missing too many dinners and weddings, and my dogs were starting to hate me.

But so far, it’s only February and I’m already on my second weekend jaunt.

So much for that.

But both trips — to Maui a couple of weeks ago and to the Big Island this weekend — are work-related, so I’m justified in leaving.

Though, to be honest, I plan to do a lot more than just work on this three-day jaunt.

The Big Island is one of my favorite destinations for several reasons: first off, it’s huge, sprawling over 4,028 square miles. It’s larger than all of the other islands in the archipelago combined. (That’s why it’s called the “Big” Island.) In addition, the island, thanks to its vastness, offers a variety of environments and natural wonders, including the world’s most active volcano (Kilauea) and the tallest mountain in the world (Maunakea). There are lush rainforests and volcanic deserts. You’d be hard-pressed to find another location in the world where you can be playing in snow at the top of a mountain, then later — and the time all depends on how fast you drive, of course — be surfing in the warm Pacific Ocean.

There are national parks, black sand beaches, coffee farms, hiking trails, farmer’s markets, local restaurants and my favorite grocery store in the world, KTA.

So far, the agenda looks like this: arrive in Hilo, grab food at KTA, head to Volcano, where we’ll be staying at a new B&B. We’ll plant koa trees tomorrow and look for native birds in the afternoon, maybe eat dinner at one of the best Thai restaurants on the island. That’s about it. Not a bad way to spend a “work trip,” huh?

Got any favorite stops or haunts in Hilo?

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About the Author

Catherine Toth Fox

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8 Comments

  • Reply rayboyjr February 21, 2014 at 9:06 am

    Hey Cat: the Big Island is my favorite neighbor island … the only island I’ve been to more than once …

    … but the last time was over 15 years ago … so I really don’t know what’s there anymore … I’m guessing it must have changed some … but then again, I prefer the Hilo side and maybe that hasn’t changed so much …

    … what I liked most was driving from Hilo to Kona through Saddle Road … just loved the fact that we felt so isolated up there … away from homes and buildings and concrete … just barren land and the snow capped peaks in the distance …

  • Reply zzzzzz February 21, 2014 at 9:23 am

    Rainbow bread. Strawberry mochi.

  • Reply Maria February 21, 2014 at 9:33 am

    Just sent you an email about an ongoing campaign by KTA Super Stores! 🙂 https://www.hawaii.edu/news/2014/02/18/uh-hilo-and-kta-partnership-benefit-hilo-student-athletes/

  • Reply M February 21, 2014 at 10:20 am

    Hello Cat,

    That’s the kind of work I’ll like to do, travel and get paid to go.

  • Reply Annoddah Dave February 21, 2014 at 11:52 am

    CAT: When you plant koa can you find out how many indigenous acacia we have? I thinks that there are some which are unique based on location but have no idea whether they are different genus/species.

  • Reply Teri K February 21, 2014 at 7:34 pm

    You gotta eat the pancakes at Hawaiian Style Cafe!

  • Reply AJ McWhorter February 21, 2014 at 11:19 pm

    Ken’s Pancake House in Hilo and Tex Drive Inn in Honokaa are my favorites!!

  • Reply Dennis February 23, 2014 at 4:13 pm

    Love the Big Island! Waiting to hear your first report.

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About Me

About Me
Born and raised on O‘ahu, Hawaiʻi, Catherine Toth Fox has been chronicling her adventures in her blog, The Cat Dish, for more than a decade. She worked as a newspaper reporter in Hawai‘i for 10 years and continues to freelance—in between teaching journalism, hitting the surf and eating everything in sight—for national and local print and online publications. She’s currently the editor of HAWAIʻI Magazine.

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