The Big Island
Hawaii

The development that will surely come may put an end to that, but for the moment there are sleepy old towns all over the island, unchanged for a century. The few resorts are in the least beautiful areas, built on the barren lava flows of the Kona coast to catch maximum sunshine.

What makes the Big Island truly unique are the various climatic regions from snow-capped mountain peaks to the fiery lava flows of an active volcano. For more moderate temperatures, there are lush rainforests and waterfalls to explore. And for the sun worshipers, there are miles of beautiful white, black, and even green sandy beaches.













Geologically, Hawaii is the youngest Hawaiian island and the only one still growing thanks to the Kilauea volcano, which has destroyed roads and even towns, and spews out pristine beaches of jet-black sand.

Kilauea, the most active volcano on earth, has added 550 acres of coastal land to the island since its latest series of eruptions began in 1983. Hawaii is home to Madame Pele, Hawaiian goddess of volcanoes, and Ku, god of war. (Lava photo by D. Weisel, 5/2/90)

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, which includes Mauna Loa as well as Kilauea (though not Mauna Kea, which is further north and higher than either at 13,796 ft), is an absolute must-see. You can explore steaming craters and cinder cones, venture into the rainforest, and at times approach within feet of the eruption itself.

The summits of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea have the clearest air on earth - and astronomical observatories do take advantage of it - but down below, when the tradewinds drop, the island is prone to a choking sulphurous haze known as " vog ."

If you've never been to the summit of Mauna Kea, you don't want to miss the

These giant mountains create a huge barrier that blocks the moist north-easterly trade winds and makes the leeward side of the Big Island the driest region in Hawaii, a perfect testing ground for Ironman triathletes every year. The Kona and Kohala Coasts, on this sunny western side, have the island’s finest beaches and water conditions.

The Big Island is also home to what can arguably be considered the best sport fishing location in the world off Kona, Hawaii. is dramatic because of the extreme depths to which the water descends directly off the Kona coastline. Within just a few hundred yards off shore, the underwater sea shelf falls off to depths not found in most other Hawaiian waters.

This seems to be one of the attractions for the enormous billfish which are caught often in these waters. Throughout the towns restaurants, shops and museums you will find evidence of these mighty fish in the form of mounted castings. These fish can reach weights in excess of 1000 lbs and the fight to real these ocean giants to the boats can often take many hours and is the grist for many often told sea stories.

As befits the birthplace and base of King Kamehameha, more of the ancient Hawaii survives on the Big Island than anywhere else in the islands. Puuhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park preserves a "place of refuge" for kapu-breakers and defeated warriors. There are more temples north along the Kohala coast. While Waipio Valley, where Kamehameha spent his youth, remains as lush and green as ever.

Flights to the Big Island arrive at Hilo on the rainy east coast, or the much less genuine but inoffensive resort of Kailua (often referred to as Kona) on the west. If you don't rent a car, you may not get to the interesting sites. Although one bus daily links Hilo and Kailua, and organized bus tours visit specific attractions, public transportation is all but nonexistent.