The island of Hawaii is the largest in the island group and gives its name to the 50th state of the union. At almost twice the size of any other, the island of Hawaii is also regularly called ‘Big Island.’ Its size provides visitors with some extraordinary possibilities, with landscapes stretching from the barren earth of recent volcanic eruptions to a wet tropical climatic zone that’s richly verdant and full of wildlife.
It’s Hawaii’s volcanoes which remain a top attraction. While snowcapped Mount Maunakea – unusual enough this far out into the Pacific Ocean – hasn’t seen any activity in around 4,000 years, both Kilauea and Mauna Loa have seen multiple dramatic explosions of lava within recent years.
They sit within the aptly named Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, covering some 523 square miles (roughly the size of Oahu). Here visitors can undertake short hikes to smoking fumaroles, bask in the expanse of Halema‘uma‘u Crater, and join stewardship projects aiming to preserve the region’s uniqueness for future generations.
Elsewhere, visitors will find pure black sands on Punaluʻu Beach, fringed by stunning palms and the nesting spot for green sea turtles. Further along the coast lies the lush fertile valleys of the Hamakua and Hilo coasts. The former comprises a mix of small-scale farms and stunning scenery, while the Hilo coast on the northeast side of the island mixes the natural beauty of a broad bay with all the amenities a visitor would want.
The northern coast, around Kohala, blends additional areas of natural beauty with the perfectly-manicured greens of major golf courses, with golf just one of multiple sports it’s easy to take up, alongside horse riding and kayaking.
For culture, head to Kaloko-Honokohau or Lapakahi State historical parks, which together reveal the island’s ancient past, boasting rock art sites, temples known as heiau, and fishponds where saltwater fish were farmed centuries ago.
Hawaii Travel Guide
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