Big Island
The island of Hawaii is also known as Big Island, to avoid any confusion. It certainly lives up to its name, being larger than all the other Hawaiian island combined and covering 4,028 square miles. It is so large it encompasses 11 of the world’s 13 climatic zones, from sandy beaches to snowcapped mountains.
Big Island’s resident population is just over 200,000 but the numbers swell with the thousands of tourists who visit every year. The highest peak on Big Island is Mauna Kea, which is 13,796 feet (4,205m) above sea level. However, when measured from its underwater base it is actually even higher than Mount Everest.
Big Island is the most southerly of the Hawaiian Islands and visitors can stand on the most southerly point in the USA at Ka Lae and watch the turtles and Monk seals which can be seen along the coast.
Like the other Hawaiian Islands, Big Island was created from volcanic eruptions. Kilauea, the most active volcano in the world, is part of the magnificent Volcanoes National Park. With its dramatic volcanic landscapes, the Observatory and the Thurston lava tube, the Volcanoes National Park is a fascinating and unique experience to visit. After dark, an orange glow can be seen where the hot lava meets the cool ocean.
Other attractions on Hawaii’s Big Island include the Hulihe’e Palace in Kailua-Kona. This royal palace was built in the 1800s and is now an interesting museum dedicated to the culture and legacy of Hawaiian history.
The Pua Mau Place Arboretum and Botanical Gardens specializes in a type of woody plants known as Pua Mau. The gardens also showcase beautiful hibiscus and make a colorful garden to visit.
Hikers will enjoy walking on the trails around Big Island. Perhaps the most well-known is the walk to the Akaka Falls, a magnificent 442-foot waterfall which cascades down into the Kolekole stream.
Big Island has the ideal conditions for growing coffee and visitors can take a tour of the coffee plantations, see the coffee trees and buy some coffee beans which make great souvenir gifts. Other local gifts can be found on the craft markets such as the Waimea Craft Mall on the Mamalahoa Highway.
Photo: Big Island Lava Flow