An autumn breeze caresses my neck on a Tokyo night. Taking off from Haneda Airport just before 11 PM, I fly to Honolulu, a seven-and-a-half-hour journey. I cross the International Date Line en route, bound for the tropics. I land at Honolulu Airport at 10 AM the same morning. It's a strange feeling, unique to travel, to be able to live the same day again.
Airplanes from various countries fly in and out of Honolulu Airport, demonstrating the island's devotion to travelers from around the world. I transfer to a small Hawaiian Airlines aircraft and head to Hawaii Island. Hawaii Island, with its vast landmass and diverse natural landscapes, is affectionately known by locals as the "Big Island."
As I board the plane, it slowly begins to move. As the plane flies through the airport, I begin to wonder, "Why?" As the plane approaches the ocean on the outskirts of the airport, the blue ocean, illuminated by the dazzling sun, spreads out beyond the window. The engine roared louder, and the plane lifted into the sky. What a thoughtful gesture! The people of this island must be proud of their beautiful ocean.
After about 40 minutes, we arrived in Kona, a town on the west side of the Big Island. Stepping off the ramp, we were astonished by the bizarre sight: pitch-black earth created by a volcano. We drove south for about an hour in a rental car. Gradually, greenery began to appear on the rugged lava ground, and before we knew it, we were traveling along a road surrounded by tropical flowers. With Kealakua Bay, where Captain Cook once landed, on our right, we drove down a side road for about three miles. We rounded a sharp curve and the ocean stretched out before us. It was impossible to see the entire horizon in one glance. It was a beautiful, magnificent view that made us realize the island was surrounded by the ocean.
We arrived at our lodgings on a hill overlooking the ocean and turned off the engine. The sun sets over the ocean beyond the palm trees, slowly turning the sea a deep crimson. All I can hear is the sound of the wind. What a luxury it is to spend time without any electronic sounds. The sheer beauty of the place made me realize the immense power of nature. Life here is completely different from my life in Tokyo. Thinking about it makes my everyday life seem so far away.
Just gazing at the sea and sky unfolds before my eyes. Why does that fill my heart?
Where did I leave behind the person who wished for more?
The scenery unfolding before my eyes quietly changes color. Just watching this makes me feel happy.
The Big Island envelops us in its abundant nature.
