Hawaiian Vacations - Hawaii

Big Island of Hawaii

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The Island of Adventure

Famous for the active Kilauea volcano, Hawaii’s Big Island is home to a list of fascinating anomalies. Eleven different climate zones generate everything from lush rain forests to arid deserts, black sand beaches to snow-capped mountaintops. The Big Island is Hawaii’s biggest playground.

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Hawaiian Vacations - Big Island of Hawaii:

It’s easy to picture Pele, the Volcano Goddess, showing her wrath – or mercy – on those she encounters. As you explore the Big Island of Hawaii, you’ll see jagged lava fields immersed with new vegetation, providing an amazing contrast of Hawaii's Big Island’s diverse landscape. To see the lava flow glowing at night is an incredible experience you really shouldn’t miss! Yet the molten lava is just one of Hawaii's Big Island’s hot attractions – there are also cool shops in Kona, coffee plantation tours, excellent golf on the Kohala Coast, and the quaint town of Hilo, where you’ll feel as though you’ve gone back in time.

Learn more about the Big Island of Hawaii:

Facts: Population 148,677, Area 4,028 sq. miles

Hawaii's Big Island has spectacular contrasts...the mighty volcanoes Mauna Loa (13,679 feet) and Kilauea, lofty snow clad Mauna Kea (13,796 feet), the Kau Desert, gorgeous waterfalls, the Puna Fern Forest, and the colorful orchids of Hilo. The island grows sugar, coffee, cattle and macadamia nuts. Landmarks: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Kealakekua Bay, Kailua-Kona, Kawaihae, Parker Ranch, Waipio Valley.

Hawaii Flower: Red Ohia Lehua

Hawaii Island Color: Red

Kona-Kohala Coast (Virtual Tour)

The 40-mile coastline of the sunny Kona-Kohala Coast has many important historical sites as well as the world's top resorts and the sunniest beaches such as Hapuna Beach, a beautiful stretch of white-sand beach with gentle rolling surf. Walk remnants of the King's Trail, an ancient coastal path. Visit Puukohola Heiau, the last temple built during Kamehameha I's reign. The Kona-Kohala Coast has large lava fields extending from mauka (mountain) to makai (ocean). Large concentrations of petroglyphs can be seen there.

Puuhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park (Virtual Tour)

Puuhonua O Honaunua National Park is a 180-acre compound on the South Kohala coast where defeated warriors, war victims and law-breakers traveled to seek forgiveness and safety in ancient times. Puuhonua is surrounded by a large stone wall, which measures 1,000 feet long, 10 feet high and 17 feet wide. The 180-acre site includes a fishpond, canoe landing, thatched hale (house), halau (A-framed large structure) and Hale O Keawe heiau (temple), an ancient temple surrounded by large ancient wooden kii (statue), which stand guard over the buried bones of 23 alii (Hawaiian royalty).

Waimea (Virtual Tour)

Howdy, partner, you're in paniolo country! Waimea is great for cattle with its misty rain that nourishes lush pastures for grazing cattle. At 2,600 feet above sea level, the temperatures are usually cool and crisp. One hundred fifty years ago, Massachusetts sailor John Palmer Parker started famed Parker Ranch when he began capturing wild cattle in Waimea area. Mexican cowboys were imported to teach Hawaiians roping, riding and cattle breeding, and Hawaiians became America's first cowboys called paniolo, a name they interpreted from the word "Espanol." Six generations of paniolo at Parker Ranch, one of the largest single-owned ranch in the United States, have continued to raise 300 horses and herd 35,000 cattle on 225,000 acres of ranchland.

Mauna Kea (Virtual Tour)

Mauna Kea, elevation 13,796' above sea level, is actually one of the world's tallest mountains -- some 33,000' high when measured from its base at the bottom of the sea. Away from city lights, Mauna Kea is one of the clearest, driest and pitch-black spots on Earth making for superb viewing of planets, stars and nebulas. Keck Telescope on the summit of Mauna Kea is considered the world's largest optical and infrared observatory, allowing astronomers to explore the universe by gazing through telescopes housed in domes that look like alien eyeballs!

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (Virtual Tour)

On the Big Island, you'll find Kilauea, the world's most active volcano, Mauna Loa, the earth's largest volcano, and Mauna Kea, Hawaii's tallest volcano. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has more than 150 miles of trails for hiking, backpacking, camping, petroglyphs and the Thurston Lava Tube 3, also known as "Nahuku."

Panaewa Rainforest Zoo

This special 12 acre zoo is the only tropical rainforest zoo in the US. It is home to more than 80 animal species including 3 of Hawaii’s endangered birds –the `io (Hawaiian hawk), the `alae `ula (gallinule), and the nene goose (Hawaii’s State Bird). Rainforest animals include Namaste` a white Bengal tiger, giant anteaters, a pygmy hippo, two-toed sloths, lemurs, and spider monkeys. The grounds are considered a botanical garden with orchids, clumping bamboos, tropical rhododendrons, a water garden, and more than 100 varieties of palms. A Petting Zoo is held every Saturday 1:30-2:30, and tiger feeding is 3:30 daily. Complimentary umbrellas are available to borrow, and keiki cars to rent.

Island image courtesy of Hawaii Tourism Japan

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Stories of Hawaii provided courtesy of the Hawaiian Tourism Authority.