I’ve seen this guy a couple times, not far from the road in the lava fields. Looked like he was wearing a handmade loin cloth-type getup. My father, who lives in the islands, says the guy’s called “coconut man”, but doesn’t know much else about him. I’ll bet there are some IM kona participants who think they’re having delusions when they this guy.
Anyone know the story?
I’ve been to the Big Island several times. A few years ago when we were there for the half IM we saw him every day on the Queen K in the middle of nowhere. I couldn’t believe how he was out there every day. He was usually walking along the side of the road carrying a coconut cup thing. Once he was sitting on a large lava rock. I’ve read a few things about him and find it fascinating. Unfortunately, the last few times I’ve been there I haven’t seen him. I’m going back over for IMH (unfortunately, only as a spectator) and I’ll be watching for him again. Here’s a picture I found on the net about him.
Yup. That’s him. Where’d you find this?
I just did a google search for “‘coconut man’ Kona Hawaii.” It was from a woman’s bike trip on The Big Island. http://www.tarashawaiibiketrip.homestead.com/Day7.html I’m sure there’s more out there.