After visiting Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, I went to Pahoa, Hawaii, to check into a rental on Kehena Beach. On the drive there, It became clear how the entire town could be cut off from the rest of the island if the lava flowed over the highway.
The beach rental was the Whale House, which is just across the street from the ocean. It was a one-bedroom cottage on the same property as two other small cottages. Get $55 off their first stay on Airbnb. I get a credit, too.
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| A banana tree grew outside the door. |
Later, I ended up on a nude beach. I became painfully aware of how much we stood out. We sat on a rock and watched the waves and the locals’ interactions with each other. At one point a man greeted a boat tour, which had stopped in front of the beach, by turning around, bending over, putting his hands on his knees, and showing them his bare ass. Later, an older man started to get swept away by the strong surf, and two younger men dove into the water to help him.
I won’t lie, I felt uncomfortable being one of the few people in clothing among the locals.
Later, I went to the Wednesday night farmers market. This is probably the biggest crowd I saw at any time on the Big Island. It was difficult to choose what to eat — everything looked so good. I chose veggie tacos made from non-GMO, locally grown veggies.
I also bought pesto and spinach pizza from a food truck, with lemonade.
Among the goodies for sale were locally made soaps, jewelry, artwork, clothing, and incense. I learned that these Wednesday nights are when the entire town gathers. A few people said they were actually new to the Big Island and that they loved it there.
It was an enlightening experience to be in a setting where you stand out because it’s clear you are not from the area. It’s why I want to travel more; to feel uncomfortable so I can learn more about myself.
Marette Flora is the founder of Floradise blog and personalized gift shop. Marette is a passionate storyteller and creator. She attended the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University and obtained a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication.
She is passionate about creating helpful and meaningful things.