"May brooks and trees and singing hills, join in the chorus too, and every gentle wind that blows, send happiness to you".

We are indeed blessed! They say "Life begins at retirement". And that's how we feel. After two years of living in Honolulu, with much deliberation and several back and forth trips, the Big Island has finally lured us. City folks that we are, the idea of moving to 'outskirt' Hawaii was dreadful, if not insane. But, family came first and so there were no more ifs and buts. Move we did. So far, it's been nothing but delight after delight in our 'forced retirement' mode. We believe we have been divinely placed in paradise, in it's true sense.

Let me say too, that as a photo bug/artist, I've been challenged technically and technologically to be better at my craft. I'm told, i don't need a better camera, i just have to know how to make the most and get the best out of my current gadgets. Just to let you know, I am my worst critic and i tend to grade myself a bit poorly. For now, i will be bold to share what I've captured.

In the Hawaiian language, “holoholo“ means to go strolling or driving to see what you can see. That’s what we've been doing and it's really a great and fun way to explore the Big Island, and you’re guaranteed to discover interesting places and people.

Here are some facts for those who may want to consider a new adventure in life::

1. The Big Island of Hawaii is the the youngest of the Hawaiian Islands, at just over one million years old. The daily lava flow keeps the island growing every day.

2. Hawaii is the name of the state. To reduce confusion, the island Hawaii is referred to as the "Big Island."

3. The world's most active volcano, Kilauea, is on the Big Island.

4. Mauna Loa is the most massive mountain on earth and consists of 10,000 cubic miles of rock, and is 13,677 feet high.

5. The Big Island is 4,038 square miles.

6. From the southern tip to the northern tip the distance is 95 miles. From east to west it is 80 miles.

7. In the 1850s, John Palmer Parker and his Hawaiian princess wife amassed land to form Parker Ranch, which today sprawls 225,000 acres and is two-thirds the size of the island of Oahu.

8. In 1946, a 56-foot tsunami hit the east side of the island.

9. In 1981, the Ironman Triathlon moved from Oahu to Kona.

10. The Big Island has the most diverse weather of any Hawaiian Island, including tropical, monsoonal, desert, and permafrost.

11. Just below the summit of Mauna Kea, inside a cinder cone, is Lake Waiau, the only glacial lake in the mid-Pacific. At 13,020 feet above sea level, it is also one of the highest lakes in the world.

12. Hawaii Standard Time is in effect year-round. There is no daylight savings time. Hawaii is 2 hours behind Pacific Standard Time and 5 hours behind Eastern Standard Time. When daylight savings time is in effect on the mainland, Hawaii is 3 hours behind the West Coast and 6 hours behind the East Coast.

For a start, i want to showcase some of the Big Island waterfalls.

Waterfalls on the Big Island of Hawaii are some of the world's finest, and is collectively home to some of the best falls in Hawaii. It boasts of some of the tallest falls in the state.

Umauma Falls is located in the North Hamakua Coast Region. The three levels which Umauma Falls flows down resemble great lava stone steps with recesses that create tranquil little pools surrounded by tropical plants and trees.

A pathway through lush greenery and small waterfalls flowing into babbling streams, a surrounding of giant Ti plants, bird of paradise, torch ginger, bamboo, and split leaf philodendron leads to Akaka Falls, free-falling, all 442 feet. 

Along the path of the Wailuku River, Rainbow Falls is a beautiful waterfall. Its name originated from the fact that on some early mornings a rainbow can be seen arching across the falls. Waianuenue Falls is its Hawaiian name which means “rainbow seen in water.” 

Onomea Falls is located inside of the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden. It is set amidst natural forest of palms and ferns and is located along the pathway inside the garden. Exotic mosses grow on the surrounding rocks, trees. The falls was discovered by Dan Lutkenhouse, years after work on the lower Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden began. While working his way through the jungle alongside the stream, he found the magnificent waterfall.