The island of Hawaii is a lush, tropical paradise in the middle of the Pacific Ocean which feels not unlike what one imagines the Garden of Eden must have. The Big Island, as the largest island of all eight Hawaiian islands is colloquially known, is a place with the most amazing variety of nature in verdant abundance. From black sand beaches to active volcanoes, to thriving rainforests, the place has a magic feeling to it, where it’s easy to imagine everything growing to magical sizes and proportions just by touching this remarkably fertile soil.

The tranquil Aloha spirit associated with Hawaii, is not a mere advertising slogan, as we very quickly discovered. Native Hawaiian’s are extremely friendly and relaxed and you very quickly see the difference between island time and clocks everywhere else.

There are several micro-climates here and a huge variety of landscapes, from near desert to glorious beaches. Because of this, there is a phenomenal variety of activities available, ranging from snorkelling to surfing, trekking in rainforests to star gazing. For a honeymoon couple, boredom will not be an option with both incredible privacy and intimacy available, as well as lively dancing and nightlife.

The night sky on view on this island can hardly be adequately described, but if you go up on to the island’s tallest mountain, the Mauna Kea, you will see shooting stars, falling stars, planets and get an astonishing view of Hawaii and its neighbouring seven islands.

The mountain is considered really sacred by Hawaiian’s, so much so that it is considered that a child whose placenta is buried at the top of Mauna Kea will have a very auspicious and fortunate life. Many Hawaiian’s believe this and consider their piece of soil to be a living, breathing character.

There is history everywhere and evidence of the arrival of Darwin, Captain Cooke and various European explorers who found their way to this Eden and were captivated by the gentleness of its native people and the luxuriant nature.

Thanks to the two active volcanoes on Hawaii, Kilauea and Maunaloa, the soil is unbelievably fertile and every fruit, vegetable, nut and tree appears to grow here, as fast and delicious as if it were a magic land.

The sight of boiling lava bubbling to the surface of the red hot rocks and steam billowing from active volcanoes, is both humbling and awe-inspiring. We flew in a helicopter over the mouths of two of the active ones and I felt amazement as I watched boiling lava flowing into the Pacific, forming new land as it flowed. Fifty new acres of land a year are formed because of this activity.

Hawaii is known as the “youngest” of the group of eight islands, as well as the largest of the islands. A religious pantheist could see God absolutely everywhere, on this growing, throbbing, life filled piece of earth.

I took a long hike along the Waipo Valley, an ancient site synonymous with Hawaii’s peace loving kings. While walking along the edge of the valley in a public space, I came across wild coffee plants in full bloom, cranberry bushes flourishing and macadamia trees laden with the delicious nuts. With so much food growing in such abundance even in the wild, you feel as though nature is constantly providing and renewing itself here, that here, the earth itself seems sensual and fecund.

The flow of the lava also seems an apt metaphor for passion and the cup of nature running over, renewing the earth again and again when it erupts.

There is a whole National Park in the centre of the island designated as the Volcanoes National Park, where you could spend days exploring. The Park is a designated International Biosphere Reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

There is 200 miles of coastline around Hawaii with an abundance of romantic walks and just about every water sport you can imagine. President Obama who grew up on the neighbouring island of Oahu is a passionate body boarder and there are photos of him in his element every where.

ROMANTIC HIGHLIGHTS
A helicopter ride over the fiery lava vent of the Kilauea Volcano, followed by a swim in waterfall at Kapohokine, followed by Mai Tai’s

Watch shooting stars at the summit of Maunakea planetarium. You can also enjoy looking at the closest galaxy visible from here, Andromeda

Snorkel hand in hand during a guided underwater tour of Pauoa Bay, where Hawaii’s green sea turtles love to bask

Take a boat trip out to the waters off the Kohala Coast in the spring and watch humpback whales and their newly born calves frolic in the waters

YOUR HONEYMOON PLANNER
HIP HOTELS AND B and B’s
Hawaiian friendliness and hospitality is rightly legendary and on top of the great selection of luxurious resorts and hotels, there is also a lovely selection of Bed and Breakfasts, should you feel like a more intimate connection with local Hawaiians.

The beautiful Mauna Kea Beach Hotel which was build by Laurence Rockefeller, has just reopened on the Kohala Coast, after a major facelift. As well as the great collection of Polynesian art and the stunning private beach and golf course, the Manta restaurant offers exquisite cordon bleu cookery. The sommelier is Irishman, John O’Brien, who won’t steer you wrong.

They offer a great selection of honeymoon packages . www.manuakearesort.com

Over on the other side of the island is the very exquisite Wainanuhea Inn, a very luxurious bed and breakfast, which is also a beautiful venue for a wedding parties. On forty acres of private land it is also completely self-sufficient, growing most of its own food, filtering rain water and the electricity is provided by solar energy. It is extremely relaxed and private and the six bedrooms here are all distinctly designed, with some exquisite touches , like sunken baths that look out onto the fields around the property. www.waianuhea.com

The Waipo Wayside Bed and Breakfast is a small and very friendly place that serves an amazing breakfast of local fruit, honey and breads. www.waipiowayside.com

Hawaiian food has many influences, combining Asian and Polynesian with some American flavours. You can get just about anything you want to eat here.

For Valentine’s night, we ate an exceptional meal in the very romantic restaurant at the Plantation house on Wimea, which is also home to the family owned and run Hawaiian Vanilla Company. We were served an unforgettabke seven course meal, which had vanilla in each course, an unlikely but delicious taste. www.hawaiianvanilla.com

Getting there:
There are no direct flights from Ireland to Hawaii, but there are several daily flights from London to Honolulu, from where it would take about 30 minutes to fly to Hilo or Kona on Hawaii island. Return flights are about E540.

Another alternative would be to take Aer Lingus direct to San Francisco or New York and pick up a direct connecting flight to Kona or Honolulu.

Most travel agents handle honeymoon packages or you could book on-line though sites such as www.ebookers.ie

Tell me more:
There is a considerable literature on Hawaii, depending on your interest in the region.

www.bigisland.org is the official site for the Big Island of Hawaii

www.keauhou-resort.com is a site with interesting information about the restoration of sacred sites in Hawaii.

The Lonely Planet guide to Hawaii is recommended
www.worldbotanicalgardens.com shows the exquisite botanical gardens and the Umauma Falls

For information on volcanoes on Hawaii, visit www.gov.havo