The Big Island of Hawaiʻi embodies a sense of feral magic; it is both ancient and vibrant with new green life. As you set foot on the ʻĀina and breathe in the ocean air, your whole body drops into awe. You feel Tūtū Pele’s mana rising through the warmth of lava rock beneath your feet, her essence carried on salt-kissed trade winds drifting in from the vast Pacific. The land meets you exactly where you are and whispers, “Slow down and breathe in the blessings.”
Mauka to makai — mountain to ocean — this island isn’t just a destination, it’s a living, breathing kūpuna, inviting you to remember what it means to be here now.
329 Out-of-State Medical Cannabis Card
My first stop when arriving on the “Big I” is always for some good Aloha-grown, medical-grade ganja from my hānai ʻohana at Big Island Grown. Hawaiʻi offers an online out-of-state patient card known as a “329 OSP.” A valid home-state medical Cannabis card, matching government ID and a nonrefundable $49.50 fee grants patients access to the island’s best medical-grade Pakalolo. Once approved, visitors can access their electronic Hawaiʻi 329 OSP through an online account, keeping the journey pono, legal and rooted in respect for the plant.
The B.I.G. Aloha Sesh: Mauka Side
Every adventure is elevated by the perfect Cannabis pairing, so I asked the good people at Big Island Grown for guidance. In true aloha spirit, the team’s lead cultivators invited us on a mauka-side waterfall hike to sesh and connect.
We arrived at a hidden gem on the Onomea side of the island, known locally as “6 Tons.” Entering through a small opening in the jungle, we mindfully weaved along a riverbed into thick tropical growth. The trail pulsed with life — roots underfoot, mist in the air, everything breathing. For a moment, I felt completely swallowed by the island, like an ant working within a vast, living garden.
The hike was pono, no rush, no hype, just real conversation and connection. We discussed the nuances of growing in a tropical climate, the importance of respecting nature and the team’s humble mission to give back to the island communities.
At the waterfall’s crest, the view opened into a breathtaking, lush, green valley stretching toward the deep blue ocean, reflecting sunlight in the distance.
“Big waterfalls call for big dabs,” Vic, B.I.G.’s director of cultivation, laughed, firing up the torch. He blessed us with a Papaya Live Rosin dab. Sweet, juicy, minty terps melted my tension while my mind hummed with gratitude.
We shared plans for the days ahead, snorkeling Kona-side and playing like keiki in the garden at Megan Love’s.
They recommended Maui Girl, a bright, uplifting sativa that felt like sunlight dancing on water. It was perfect for a snorkeling adventure, keeping us present and flowing with the ocean. Cuban Linx was also on their list, a creative hybrid with a citrus spark and social energy that is ideal for making art, movement and laughter-filled garden sessions.
A Stop at Megan Love’s: Home of the High, Happy, Holy, Healthy, Hula-Hooping Hippy
After stocking the stash, we drifted over to the Megan Love bed-and-breakfast in Kona, a hidden gem that provides a heart-centered ʻohana experience. Megan herself is a whole vibe, radiating mana aloha. The space felt like stepping into a childhood backyard where time dissolves; barefoot in the grass, hoops spinning, laughter echoing through the trees.
Vinyl records played softly, blending with the birds and breeze. We shared a Cuban Linx joint in her tropical garden bursting with orchids and hibiscus. No rush, just storytelling, connection and genuine joy. It was the kind of high that roots you deeper into the moment.
Makai Adventure Time: Salt Water and Surrender
The next morning began with Kona coffee and a Maui-Girl-sunrise sesh: light, euphoric and expansive. It set the tone for a two-hour snorkel adventure along the Kona Coast with Hawaii Island and Ocean Tours, where crystal-clear waters and underwater landscapes created a dreamlike playground. Dropping into the ocean, everything softened. Vibrant fish drifted through coral gardens as sunlight flickered in the water like a living mosaic.
Guided by Captain Kekoa, we explored secluded reef pockets near the Captain Cook Monument while appreciating Native Hawaiian storytelling and fresh-cut pineapple. One of the highlights was The Grotto, a sea cave carved by Pele’s ancient fire. This lava tube stretches nearly 14 miles before dropping beneath the coastline, connecting land to ocean.
Locals speak of the Grateful Dead’s Jerry Garcia falling in love with Hawaiʻi’s waters in the late 1980s, logging hundreds of dives through its volcanic arches and underwater caves. I couldn’t help but playfully wonder if Garcia ever sparked a doobie deep inside Pele’s submerged cathedral.
In true Hawaiian spirit, this adventure wasn’t about chasing a high. It was about flowing with the breathing essence of Aloha — from stillness in the jungle to childlike joy at MeganLoves to the living ancestral presence in the ocean. Mauka to makai; the island has a way of reminding us OGs that life doesn’t need to be complicated to be meaningful. Sometimes it’s as simple as good people, open air and moments in nature that take your breath away.
bigislandgrown.com | hawaiiislandandoceantours.com | airbnb.com | @bigislandgrownhawaii | @meganloveinhawaii | @konamantraynightsnorkeltours
