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Discover The Big Island

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WE'RE YOUR EXPERTS TO THE BIG ISLAND!

Today, on the "Big Island" or "Orchid Isle" of Hawaii you can safely see how the active Kilauea volcano is still adding to the island's size. Here, you'll find exceptional deep sea fishing, extraordinary landscapes and vistas, incredible hiking trails, and more historic sites than on any other island. The resorts here rise from lava fields or sit on white sandy beaches.

Hawaii has more historic and natural attractions than any other island. In its 4,000 square miles you'll find wide open spaces, thundering waterfalls, barren deserts, steaming rain forests, mysterious lava fields, beaches of white, gray, black, and green sand, the restored temple ruins, petroglyphs, coffee fields, orchid farms, and enormous ranch lands.

Most of the resort activity is incorporated along the Kona and Kohala coasts on the western part of the island. On the eastern side, rustic towns are set amidst giant tree ferns and orchid fields. Hilo, the county seat, is the center of the commercial activity on Hawaii. Hawaii's diversity promises a wealth of vacation memories. This is truly the land of fire and water, where you can snow ski in the morning, visit a live volcano in the afternoon, and tan on a black sand beach.

The Big Island offers a fascinating and unique vacation experience.

The average day-time temperatures in the coastal areas range from the mid-80s in the summer months, to the mid to low 70s in the winter months.

Big Island of Hawaii Quick Facts:

• Twice as large as all of the other major Hawaiian Islands combined.
• The Hawaii Volcanoes National Park contains one of the world's most active volcanoes which continues to pour into the sea adding to the shoreline.
• From its snow capped peaks to its black, white and green sand beaches the island is really a study in contrasts. Rocky deserts and lush rainforests. Peaceful bays and rolling pasture land. Luxurious orchids and waterfalls on the windward side, and areas on the western slopes where the world famous Kona coffee is grown.
• Horseback riding in Waimea. Golf everywhere. Snow skiing (really!) at Mauna Kea. The ocean is gorgeous at any time of year. Kona is the marlin fishing capital of the Pacific.
• The Big Island is also the place for history. All over the island you'll see petroglyphs, and heiau, ancient places of worship.

Accommodations on Big Island of Hawaii:

Located on the sunny side of the island, the primary resort areas on the Big Island are the Kohala Coast, Waikoloa, Kailua-Kona and Keauhou. From elegant private estates to deluxe hotels and resorts to spacious condominiums, the Big Island offers the ideal lodging for everyone. Click here to browse accommodations available on the Big Island of Hawaii

Activities & Attractions:

AKAKA FALLS

North of Hilo, plunges over 420 feet in a sheer drop over a volcanic cliff.

BLACK SAND BEACHES

Made up of pulverized lava, located on the south-eastern cliff.

CAPTAIN COOK MONUMENT

At Kealakekua Bay, is a tribute to the British navigator and discoverer of the Hawaiian islands who was killed on the shoreline in 1779.

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH

At Kailua-Kona, was erected by American missionaries who first landed on this coast in 1820.

HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK

One of the top scenic attractions in the Aloha State, has an array of unique volcanic formations, forests of giant tree ferns, steaming craters and a volcanological museum which shows free color movies daily.

HULIHEE PALACE

In the village of Kailua-Kona was once the summer home of Hawaiian royalty and now houses a rare collection of Hawaiiana.

KAMEHAMEHA STATUE

In Kohala. This, the original statue was lost at sea during shipment to Hawaii and later recovered after a replica had been made and erected in Honolulu.

KAMUELA MUSEUM

In Kamuela/Waimea, with royal Hawaiian treasures from the Iolani Palace, ancient Hawaiian artifacts and art objects from around the world.

LAPAKAHI STATE HISTORICAL PARK

North of Kawaihae, was once an ancient Hawaiian fishing village.

LAUPAHOEHOE

Which literally translated means "leaf of lava" is one of the Hamakua Coast's many scenic and historic spots.

LAVA FLOWS

Are marked by Warrior signs which designate flows which have surged down the mountains of Mauna Loa and Kilauea since prehistoric times.

LYMAN MISSION HOUSE MUSEUM

In the city of Hilo, contains a collection of historic Hawaiian relics.

ORCHIDS AND ANTHURIUMS

Grow in profusion in Hilo and surrounding areas for export to far ports of the world.

PAINTED CHURCHES

At Honaunau, St. Benedict's is the oldest Catholic church on the Island constructed in 1875. The church has brilliantly hued murals depicting biblical scenes on the interior walls. Murals in the Star of the Sea Catholic church at Kalapana were painted by a priest half a century ago.

PARKER RANCH

In the Waimea-Kamuela district at the foot of Mauna Kea, is the second largest cattle ranch under the American flag, and the largest privately owned cattle ranch in the world.

POLOLU VALLEY

In Kohala, was once the locale of a number of ancient Hawaiian heiau (temples).

PU'UHONUA O HONAUNAU (PLACE OF REFUGE)

A National Historical Park, is said to have been built at the Honaunau location in the 12th century to provide political and religious asylum.

PUUKOHOLA HEIAU

Near Kawaihae, was built by Kamehameha the Great and is now a National Historical Site.

RAINBOW FALLS

One of the Big Island's loveliest waterfalls, is located in Hilo.

WAHA'ULA HEIAU

At the foot of the Chain of Craters Road is maintained by the National Park Service as part of the Volcanos National Park. Walking tours available.

WAIPIO VALLEY

North of the town of Honokaa, was once the home of kings of old Hawaii.

WHITE SAND BEACHES

Hapuna State Beach Park, Anaehoomalu Beach, and Magic Sands Beach, Kailua, all on the western side of island.