Nature in The Big Island

There were used to be a lot of mamane trees and koa trees (native plants in Hawai'i)....

What happened to this area?

In the history, many immigrants from other countries came here for new jobs, such as working at plantations and cattle.

In this area is located in a part of Mauna Kea (the high mountain).

As you can see the area becomes so dry and brownish...due to the cattle business in the past.

Over 100 years, people made money out of this land.

We need to care for at least 150 years to re-grow the area.

Still, some cows are left behind and telling our ancestors' history.

They eat mamane trees.

There are cow-free zones, and people re-grow mamane trees.

People's impact in Hawai'i is a really big issue, I believe.

I went to Mauna Loa (the world highest mountain if you measure from bottom of the ocean floor).

Mauna Loa is located to near the Kilauea (Volcano national park).

This area were used to be a cattle area as well.

The area once became bare and naked due to the cattle business.

However, many koa trees and mamane trees have been growing back quickly by keeping wild pigs out. The pigs like to eat these baby plants.

This area suffers from alien plants as same as the Mauna Kea area.

Also, I went to Kapoho area for snorkeling. It takes me around 40min. from Hilo to there.

I was shocked and disappointed a change of the area.

There are seawater tide ponds that have beautiful coral reefs and clear seawater with abundant marine creatures.

Even though the seawater tide ponds are surrounded by private houses, the area for snorkeling is open for public.

At my first time visit, one of ponds only I swam was so beautiful. I was like at a heaven welcomed by many marine creatures.

However, at my second visit, this pond becomes lifeless. The water was yellowish and brownish, and the temperature was very warm. A sudden big change made me so sad.

What happened to this pond? I want to find out!

As you know that economy of the Hawai'i islands mainly depends on tourism.

The islands are considered as one of the man's heavens.

Now, many people can easily access to many areas of the Hawai'i islands.

Tourists enjoy making their sweet memories here.

However, we should not forget how much impact we can leave on these Hawai'i aina (lands).

We need to go back to preserve these remote islands as much as possible.

We should not destroy the islands we call "heaven"......