PAHOA, Hawaii – A colorful gecko and a visitor from the mainland on a shaded swing enjoy the warmth the Big Island of Hawaii, while most of the U.S. braces for the onset of winter. The gecko is on the railing of the Ma’ukele Lodge, a three-room B&B run by innkeeper Raven Slaughter. The lodge is only about 30 minutes from the airport at Hilo. Slaughter reports operation is normal after nearby volcanic action earlier this year discouraged some visitors from experiencing her piece of tropical paradise.

The tiny Pahoa community and Ma’ukele Lodge are about an hour’s drive from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the Kilauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes Hardened lava flows from previous events are next to the lodge. One of Hawaii’s famous black-sand beaches is just a few yards from the lodge’s back deck. The Big Island, actually the one named Hawaii, is nearly twice as large as the rest of the islands in the Hawaiian chain combined. Images by Tom Adkinson.

Trip-planning resources: Maukelelodge.com and GoHawaii.com