When invading armies from the other islands would attack the ancient Kauaians, they would seek refuge in the Kalalau Valley, protected by the steep three thousand foot cliff walls of Kauai’s Na Pali Coast and rough winter surf. Access into the valley was limited to a narrow footpath - now known as the Kalalau Trail. The trail starts at Ke’e Beach Park near Hanalei and winds back and forth in a seemingly infinite number of switchbacks between steep ridges and breathtaking valleys. After eleven miles and several thousand feet of ascent, it and ends with a descent down the red clay hill at the mouth of the valley and onto the surreal sands of Kalalau Beach. While many opt for a helicopter tour of the coastline, tackling the strenuous hike and camping on the beach for several days is truly a spiritual event that will never be forgotten.

Hawai’i Island, or the “Big Island” as it is commonly called, lives up to its name. Not only is it the largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago and takes a whole day of driving to circumnavigate, but it is home to two of the largest mountains in the world and hosts some of the broadest range of climates of anywhere in the world with snows in the summer atop Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea, hot and humid jungle valleys with hundred-foot waterfalls, volcanic deserts, and sunny beaches down below.

Within this book, you will find over 100 new photos from Billy Harner’s collection from his second trip to Kalalau Valley and a final farewell to Hawai’i in a tour of the Big Island.