The island of Hawaii, called the “Big Island” due to its size and to distinguish it from the rest of the Hawaiian chain of islands. It has the world’s tallest mountain, Mauna Kea, which rises over 32,000 feet from its base on the ocean floor, although much of the base is submerged. And the world’s most active volcano, Kiluaea.

The Big Island is unique and special. It has 11 of the earth’s 13 climatic zones – from the snowy 13,796 foot summit of Mauna Kea to hot, sunny beaches on the coast. This island is the farthest south of the Hawaiian Islands, and is where you will find the southern-most point in the United States.

The east, or windward side of the island, is green and lush. This is where you’ll see tumbling waterfalls and ocean cliffs, rain forests and rainbow-hued flower gardens and farms. The most visited attraction in the state is the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, located about 30 miles from Hilo, on the east side of the island.

The leeward, or west, side of the Big Island is a black-lava desert.  The coastline is much less eroded than that of the other islands, which are mush older and have been shaped by centuries of wind and water. Although it is becoming more and more developed, you will still see miles and miles of barren, black lava fields, where visitors and locals have placed environmentally friendly graffiti in the form of white rocks.

Here on Hawaii, you can downhill ski on Mauna Kea and surf the waves in the same day, ponder the universe from the best star gazing spot in the world, swim with dolphins or catch a blue marlin. It’s a BIG island, with a lot to do!