The Big Deal About the Big Island

The island of Hawaii has been known by various names over the years: the Volcano Island, the Orchid Island and the Island of Hawaii. And yet, this largest of the Hawaiian Islands chain, is perhaps best known locally as the Big Island.

And big it is too. At 4,038 square miles in size, the Big Island is twice the size of all the other Hawaiian Islands combined. It’s still growing with the recent volcanic activity and lava flows of the last few years from Kilauea Volcano, which has added many new acres of raw rocky coastline to the island. Of the 50 United States, Hawaii is the only one that actually grows in size.

The Big Island lays claim to a handful of “Bigs.” The island’s dominant features are the 13,796-foot dormant volcano, Mauna Kea, and the 13,677-foot active volcano, Mauna Loa. The Mauna Kea Observatory Complex, home to a dozen of the world’s leading astronomical observatories on the summit of Mauna Kea, has more light-gathering power than any other site in the world. (Read our Mauna Kea Observatories article.) Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is the state’s biggest park at 229,177 acres and features stark raw volcanic and lava flow landscapes. The biggest and best preserved Hawaiian heiau (a temple where the islanders’ ancient religion was practiced) is in the North Kohala district. The port town of Hilo is home to the annual spring Merrie Monarch Festival, the recognized “Olympics” of hula dance competition with hundreds of dancers and groups taking part. The Kona district is home to the state’s famed Kona coffee industry. The Big Island has the state’s biggest cattle ranch (and one of the nation’s largest), the biggest tropical flower industry, the biggest macadamia nut orchards, the biggest papaya farms, etc. You get the drift. The Big Island is big in a big list of ways. 

• The Kona weather pattern of bright sunny mornings, humid rainy afternoons and mild nights creates favorable coffee growing conditions.
• Pacific Pictures-John Penisten

Hawaii is also big on activities, scenic beauty, cultural diversity and friendliness. The small-town casual atmosphere of this rural island defines its residents who live an unhurried and unheralded lifestyle. Take a tour and see what the big deal is about the Big Island.

Kona and Kohala Coast

The Big Island’s main tourist centers are the Kona and Kohala Coasts on the island’s west side. The Kona Coast covers about 60 miles of rough, rugged coastline with the town of Kailua-Kona as the focal point and a bustling hub for all sorts of visitor activities. Your choices range from historic cultural tours to hiking, golf, tennis, plenty of water sports and more.

• A quiet cove along the Kohala Coast.
• Pacific Pictures-John Penisten

The Kona Coast consists of mostly dry rolling foothill country and the steep slopes of the volcanic peaks Mount Hualalai (8,271 feet) and Mauna Loa (13,679 feet). Numerous small coffee farms and mills are scattered across the upland slopes where the perfect blend of rainfall and warm climate creates the famous gourmet Kona coffee. You can sample a fresh cup of Kona’s finest at several of the local mills and coffee farms.

Glimpses of Kona’s ancient Hawaiian heritage are evident at such sites as Ahu`ena Heiau in Kailua-Kona and the Pu`uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park at Honaunau. The heiau (temples) have been reconstructed with authentic wood frame and grass-thatched huts with fearsome looking carved tiki idols lending a serious look.

• An oceanfront bungalow at the Mauna Lani Resort.
• Courtesy of the Mauna Lani Resort

Water-bound youngsters will especially like activities such as the Atlantis Submarine tour off the Kailua-Kona pier or Captain Dan McSweeney’s Whale Watch Learning Adventures off the Kona coast. For children with a more skyward focus, the Astronaut Ellison Onizuka Space Center has interactive exhibits and is conveniently located at the Kona International Airport.

The Kohala Coast is the Big Island’s leading luxury resort destination. Several world-class resorts are spread along some 30 miles of desert lava coastline north of Kailua-Kona, interspersed with fine golden sand beaches. Here you’ll be pampered at such fabulous hotels as the Hilton Waikoloa Village and Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa at the Waikoloa Beach Resort. The Mauna Lani area offers the plush Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows and the Fairmont Orchid Hawaii. Further north on the Kohala Coast is the first-class Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel. Families will also find a range of Kohala Coast resort condo rentals for every budget and need.