No wonder they call it the Big Island. Volcanoes?Mauna Loa is the biggest on earth. Stargazing? The clearest night skies in the world. Water sports? Why go anywhere else? Big? Absolutely. Adrenaline ad-dictsi beach goers and culture buffs alike, let this guide take you deep into the Hawai'i that only Big Islan~lers know about.

Why is Hawai＇i nicknamed the ‘Big Island?＇

The island"s "bigness" lies first in its sheer size． The other seven major Hawaiian Islands canfit within its borders twice． It is a microcosm of a continent with astounding geographicaldiversity． Within an hour or two， the landscape morphs from lava desert to rain forest， fromrolling pastureland to snowy mountaintop．

Here， you"ll find stunning extremes in climate． In east Hawai"i， Hilo is the rainiest town in the USA， with over 130 inches of yearly rainfall． The whole windward side is stunningly lush and green， with overgrown jungles hiding unexpected waterfalls and dramatic gulches zigzagging the shore． In contrast， the western Kona Coast boasts guaranteed sunshine， brilliant and blind-ing， but tempered by the cobalts， emeralds and ivories of perfect crescent-shaped beaches．

The island boasts many outdoor adventures： diving and snorkeling in glassy waters， trekking in rugged valleys， stargazing in pristine air． The island"s biggest phenomenon is Kilauea volcano．Depending on nature"s whims， you can see fiery-red molten lava －earth in the making．

Big，too， is the range of people．From ancient times， the island has attracted those seeking spiritual power from the land． Many come to visit but can"t leave． Of course， many longstand-ing locals remain， and while few speak Hawaiian exclusively， the lyrical sounds of the language are heard daily： in street and place names， in island music，in casual conversations．

On an island big enough to remain quite rural， a relaxed， "hang loose， brah" atmosphere still prevails． Here you"ll find miles of undeveloped land and remote spots void of other humans． That"s the beauty of the Big Island －it"s a vast frontier．

The Authors

Gettinq Started

Itineraries

Snanshot

 History

The Culture

Environment

Hawai"i Outdoors

Food & Drink

Kona

KAILUA-KONA

History

Orientation

Information

Dangers & Annoyances

Sights

Activities

Kailua-Kona for Children

Tours

Festivals & Events

Sleeping

Eating

Drinking

Entertainment

Shopping

Getting There & Away

Getting Around

SOUTH KONA

Honalo

Kainaliu

Kealakekua

Captain Cook

Honaunau

Pu"uhonua o Honaunau

National Historical Park

Ho"okena

Miloli"i

NORTH KONA

Honokohau Harbor

Kaloko-Honokohau

National Historical Park

Keahole Point

Onizuka Space Center

Kekaha Kai State Park

Kiholo Bay

South Kohala

Waikoloa Resort Area

Mauna Lani Resort Area

Puako

Hapuna Beach State

Recreation Area

Mauna Kea Resort Area

Spencer Beach Park

Pu"ukohola Heiau National

Historic Site

Kawaihae

North Kohala

Akoni Pule Highway

Hawi

Kapa"au

Makapala

Pololu Valley

Waimea &

Mauna Kea

Waimea (Kamuela)

Around Waimea

Mauna Kea

Around Mauna Kea

Hamakua Coast

Honoka"a

Kukuihaele

Waipi"o Valley

Kalopa State Recreation

Area

Laupahoehoe

Umauma Falls & World

Botanical Gardens

Kolekole Beach Park

Honomu

Akaka Falls State Park

Hiln

History

Orientation

Information

Sights

Activities

Walking Tour

Courses

Hilo For Children

Tours

Festivals & Events

Sleeping

Eating

Drinking

Entertainment

Shopping

Getting There & Away

Getting Around

AROUND HILO

Rainbow Falls

Pe"epe"e Falls & Boiling

Pots

Mauna Loa Macadamia-

Nut Visitor Center

Nani Mau Gardens

Puna

Kea"au

Pahoa

Around Pahoa

Red Road (Hwy137)

Hwy130

Along Hwyll

Hawai"i Volcanoes

National Park

Climate

Dangers & Annoyances

History

Orientation

Information

Sights

Activities

Hawai"i Volcanoes

National Park for Children

Festivals & Events

Sleeping

Eating & Drinking

Getting There & Around

Ka"u

Pahala

Punalu"u

Whittington Beach Park

Na"alehu

Wai"ohinu

Getting There & Away

South Point

Hawaiian Ocean View

Estates

Road to the Sea

Manuka State Wayside

Park

Directory

Transportation

Health

Language

Glossary

Behind the Scenes

World "lime Zones

Index

Map Leqend