The Big Island of Hawaii is a destination of breathtaking scenic beauty and amazing displays of the natural world. These unique adventures are repeatedly stressed by almost all the tourist information available from the Hawaii, tour groups and travel agencies from around the world. But have you asked an elderly relative about the wisdom of your planned trip to the Big Island? Of course not, as he or she would undoubtedly give you the unvarnished truth: There’s a lot of potential danger—both man-made and natural—lurking on that island and just waiting for an unsuspecting tourist…like you.
Perils in Paradise: Captain James Cook
We all owe an apology to world-renowned British explorer Captain James Cook. Captain Cook was killed on a visit to Hawaii on February 14, 1779. Whether he was a member of any extant tour group company is lost to the sands of time, thereby preventing us from making reservations with the same agency. We do know, however, that he seriously offended some Hawaiian natives and lost his life for it. So the first sage suggestion you might follow is to obtain a current Hawaiian etiquette book and study it carefully.
Perils in Paradise: The “M” Word
Captain Cook also left us a potential hint as to the possible background of his breach of conduct. Careful readers have already noted the date of his death: Valentine’s Day. This clue and the openly touted information from the State Board of Tourism leads us to the inescapable conclusion that there is a significant chance that you may return from your Hawaiian sojourn—gasp!—married. You may have an escape hatch, however. There remain so many other potentially harmful activities on the Big Island that the vow “until death do us part” may not be the long-term promise it could be in alternate locations.
Protection Against Perils in Paradise
While nothing can be done to protect you against the event of marriage while touring the Big Island—aside from already being married—you can purchase temporary travel insurance to protect you from potential physical harm while visiting the destination’s other sites. The cost of such insurance is reasonable and depends upon the extent of the policy protection and whether or not the visit to Hawaii is considered international travel or interstate travel for American citizens.
Perils in Paradise: Volcanic Lava
Hawaii’s Big Island is home to Volcanoes National Park, considered the world’s “best volcanic park,” another way of stating that the volcanoes that make up the park are active and periodically spew hot molten lava above-ground and also into the sea. Knowing full well that most individuals dislike being spattered by hot grease while frying food, it’s difficult to imagine the attraction of actual volcanic activity beneath one’s feet. Purchasing the recommended health insurance policy will at least ensure any medical injuries sustained will be covered.
Poolside, in Paradise
The required brevity of this article doesn’t even allow for a discussion of the additional perils of shark attacks while surfing or ill-constructed zip lines. Your elderly relative might best suggest that you enjoy your Hawaiian vacation poolside writing postcards about your adventures to friends at home, but you’d do well to remember to ask your waiter for plastic cocktail containers.
She enjoys baking red velvet cupcakes and walking her puppy, Pete.
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