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POV: You’re boarding a United Airlines Boeing 737 MAX in Hawaii…and there’s no jet bridge in sight. ✈️🌴

Open-air boarding at Kona International Airport (KOA) on the Big Island is one of those aviation experiences that makes getting on the airplane part of the trip.

Walking across the ramp gives you an incredible up-close look at the 737 MAX before climbing the stairs for the flight from Kona to San Francisco (SFO).

And yes, I had to check the flight deck for my pilot friend @craig_norris_1 👀😂 No Norris this time. Maybe on the next United Boeing 737 flight!

Between the ramp views, that huge LEAP engine and boarding a 737 under the Hawaiian sky, KOA knows how to send off an AvGeek.

Would you rather board like this or take a jet bridge straight onto the plane?

📍 Kona International Airport (KOA), Hawaii ✈️ United Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 🛫 KOA → SFO

#konaairport #boeing737max #unitedairlines #avgeek #aviation

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Standing on the shore in Kailua-Kona, Hawai’i, with a piece of Hawaiian history right behind us. This is Kamakahonu, the royal residence associated with King Kamehameha I “the Great,” during the final years of his life and reign over the Hawaiian Islands. Kamehameha lived here after unifying the Hawaiian Islands and died here at Kamakahonu in 1819.

Just offshore from where we were standing is Ahu’ena Heiau, the reconstructed temple within the historic royal compound. Swipe to the third photo and you can get a closer look at the distinctive ki’i (tiki) standing at the site.

It’s easy to walk through a beautiful place like Kona and focus on the ocean, palm trees and resorts, but knowing the history of the land you’re standing on changes what you see.

Slidee 1: Mom, Lenny, and me with one of Kona’s most significant places behind us.

Have you visited Kamakahonu in Kona, or is there somewhere you’ve traveled where learning the history completely changed how you experienced the place?

📍 Kamakahonu | Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

#kona #bigisland #hawaii #gohawaii #travelhistory

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My heart goes out to the Punalu’u Bake Shop and to all of its owners, colleagues, ohana, and the community on the Big Island of Hawai’i. It’s my favorite place to get malasadas. Sadly, it suffered catastrophic damage—including floodwater and boulders—from Hurricane Lala, whose storm eye skirted just offshore of the Big Island. Lots of memories made here and good eats shared with family and friends over the years. #punaluu #punaluubakeshop #bigisland #hawaii #malasadas The Punalu’u Bake Shop sign hanging on the front of the store in Hawaii.

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My second visit to Green Sand Beach, or Papakōlea, on the Big Island of Hawaii. On my first visit, we hiked all the way out there, and it was one of the most unforgettable experiences on Hawaiʻi Island. This time around, being a little tighter on time, we decided to pay locals for a 4WD lift out to the beach, shaving hours off of the excursion.

On our first visit, we had the pleasure of swimming here, but on this round, the ocean currents and waves were rather strong, and we took the good advice to stay out of the water this visit, and we witnessed firsthand why. 🌊

Located near South Point (Ka Lae), Papakōlea is one of only a handful of true green sand beaches in the world. Its striking olive-green shoreline gets its color from tiny crystals of olivine, a volcanic mineral left behind as the surrounding lava rock erodes over time.

The hike or drive across the rugged coastline is just as memorable as the destination. Along the way, you’re treated to sweeping Pacific Ocean views, dramatic sea cliffs, and one of the most unique grass and lava rock landscapes on the Big Island. Reaching the beach and seeing the green sand in person is something photos only begin to capture.

If you’re planning a trip to the Big Island of Hawaii, Papakōlea is well worth adding to your Hawaii itinerary—but be prepared for a hot, exposed hike and remember to respect the land by packing out everything you bring in. Remember to observe the ocean and waves for a while before deciding to get in, and if local reports or residents who know the area well advise against entering the water, heeding their advice is recommend.

Have you visited Green Sand Beach, or is it still on your Hawaii bucket list?

📍Papakōlea (Green Sand Beach), Hawaiʻi Island, Hawaii

#greensandbeach #hawaiitravel #travelblog

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On the open, lonely road leading to the ocean from top of Halema’uma’u Crater at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The sun had just set and we were the only ones left alone with the landscape.

📍 Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park - Big Island of Hawaii

#hawaiivolcanoesnationalpark

@user_lenny catching the moment and the lone road heading toward the horizon here on the Big Island of Hawai’i.

@user_lenny on the road stretching to the horizon at Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island of Hawai’i.

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Waipi’o Valley on the Big Island of Hawai’i is famed not only for its beautiful views and preservation of Hawaiian life and karo farming before colonization, but also as being a political and spiritual center, a “Valley of the Kings,” that was the place where, as a child, King Kamehameha the Great was hidden away for his protection. It is also the site where he received his divine war god Kūkaʻilimoku, which would be instrumental in his later conquest uniting all the Hawaiian islands under his rule.

The steep, high valley walls are also where many of the ruling ali’i (nobility and high chiefs) are buried, infusing the valley with deep spiritual presence (mana).

If you can’t tell, travel and history are my thing. My early childhood was spent growing up on O’ahu island nearby, so I do return travel as often as I can to continue exploring the history, culture, and landscapes of Hawaii. I’m currently reading Hawaii’s Story by Queen Liliu’okalani, Hawaii’s last queen. I highly recommend for any history lovers out there who like a firsthand account of Hawaii as it was under its last royal house and sadly, the overthrow of the monarchy.

#waipio #waipiovalley #bigisland #hawaii #travelblog

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‘Akaka Falls on the Big Island of Hawai’i. This was my third visit, and a first visit for my friend Lenny, experiencing this island for the very first time. Situated in a lush rainforest, ‘Akaka Falls plunges 442 feet from top to bottom, and the waterfall is named after Chief ‘Akaka-o-ka-nī’au-oi’o-i-ka-wao, grandson of Kūlanikapele and Kīakalohia. An easy paved trail loop meanders through dense rainforest, where we encountered beautiful trees, plants, flowers, lizards, and singing birds. There is also a smaller waterfall, Kahuna Falls, that you can see from a viewpoint on the trail, though it is partially screened by trees. #akakafalls #bigisland #hawaii #travelblog #gohawaii

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I love deplaning at Kona Airport (KOA) in Hawaii—no jet bridges, just ramps out into the open tropical air that hits you immediately and lets you know you’re in the middle of the Pacific. On this trip we are deplaning a United Airlines Boeing 757-300 that brought us across the ocean from San Francisco. From KOA we grabbed our rental car and set out to view a volcano eruption! 🌋 #unitedairlines #boeing757 #kona #hawaii #bigisland

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We drove up the Hamakua coastline north of Hilo on the Big Island of Hawai’i, making little pit stops to take in views and visit sites. One of those spots was the scenic Laupāhoehoe Point, which a peninsula of lava that juts out into the sea below the high coastal cliffs, offering views of the coastline. “Laupāhoehoe” means “Leaf of lava,” a perfect description. It’s a peaceful area that includes a park, beautiful ocean views, and a memorial to the victims of the 1946 Tsunami.

Laupāhoehoe once thrived as a quiet Hawaiian fishing village. On 1 April 1946, a devastating tsunami (triggered by an earthquake thousands of miles away) struck this coastline, claiming the lives of 21 schoolchildren and three teachers at Laupāhoehoe. The memorial names them and as you can see in the photo, they are remembered.

From my travel photography archive.

📍 Hawai’i Island (Big Island)

#hawaii #bigisland #laupahoehoe #gohawaii #travelblog

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We did a quick visit to Rainbow Falls in Hilo on while we are the Big Island of Hawai’i. We had successfully witnessed the volcano erupting a fountain of lava the day before, so now we had some free time to head out to other parts of the island to explore. I’ve been to Hilo many times, but this was my first time finally going to Rainbow Falls. Since it’s in the city, it’s easy to get to and super accessible.

From my travel photography archive.

#rainbowfalls #hilo #hawaii #waterfall #travelpics Two male friends smile and pose in front of Rainbow Falls in Hilo, Hawaii. Both men are wearing sunglasses and one is wearing a red Hawaiian shirt, and the other is wearing a green shirt.

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Standing in front of one of earth’s greatest spectacles. This is Episode 49 of the ongoing eruption inside Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island of Hawaii. Watching molten lava erupt hundreds of feet into the air is one of those experiences that no photo or video can truly prepare you for.

With my early childhood spent growing up on nearby Oahu, I’ve always felt a strong connection and pull to these islands, which is why I keep returning to visit.

Moments like this are why I love travel photography , as they preserve places that remind us just how powerful and alive our planet really is.

This moment actually features myself witnessing the majesty of Kīlauea’s eruption at Halema’uma’u Crater, photographed by my friend and photographer, @user_lenny on my Sony A7 IV.

Have you ever witnessed an active volcano in person?

📍 Kīlauea Volcano | Hawaii Volcanoes National Park | Big Island of Hawai’i

#travelphotography #visithawaii #volcano #gohawaii

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The goal: See a lava fountain eruption at Kīlauea volcano in Hawaii. 🌋 Status: Mission accomplished! You can see in the photos the progression of the height of the lava as time went on. The erupting lava got even higher than this. Excuse the white cast of mineral sunblock on our faces 😆 #kilauea #volcano #travelblog #hawaiitravel #hawaii

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