The Real Hawai?i Island: An Insider's Narrative History of the Big Island

Hawaii is not just a postcard. It is a place where the land is still being born, and where history is written in lava. In the second installment of the Beyond The Postcard series, author Alston Alika Albarado takes you to the youngest and largest landmass in the archipelago: the Big Island. This is not a guide to resorts and golf courses. This is a journey into the "Unfinished Island"—a restless engine of creation where the volcano goddess Pele still dictates the boundaries of life and death. From the snow-capped summit of Mauna Kea, where astronomers and activists clash over the definition of the sacred, to the lush rainforests of Puna, where families farm coffee and cannabis in the shadow of active rifts, The Real Hawai'i Island peels back the glossy veneer of the tourist industry. Inside, you will discover: The Shark Man of Waipi'o: The terrifying legend of Nanaue that haunts the Valley of Kings. The Fire of Puna: A firsthand look at the 2018 eruption that erased neighborhoods and reshaped the coastline. The Inverted Flag: Understanding the modern sovereignty movement and why the Kingdom never surrendered. The Hidden Economy: How Kona coffee and "Green Harvest" defined the survival of the rural districts. The Rat Shooter: The underdog story of Pikoi, the trickster who outsmarted the elites. Perfect for the traveler who wants to be a guest rather than a spectator, this book bridges the gap between ancient myth and modern reality. Step off the beaten path and discover the island that breathes, bleeds, and remembers.