The Big Island is also known as the Hawaii Island or Island of Hawaii. It is an island of volcanic origin and is situated in the Pacific Ocean. It is one of the 8 important islands of Hawaii State of the US. The Big Island is the biggest island of the USA, measuring 4028 square miles. It is said that Big Island is named after its first discoverer, Hawaiiloa, the famous Polynesian navigator. Another legend states that its name has come from the legendary realm or land of Hawaiki, the place of origin of Polynesians.
The Big Island houses the world’s most dynamic volcano that is situated in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. It is also home to the world’s largest mountain in terms of volume- Mauna Loa, and the tallest mountain- Mauna Kea, in terms of its height from sea floor to the summit. You can reach Big Island by flight at either of its two main international airports-Hilo International Airport and Kona International Airport. Big Island has direct flight connections to the mainland, mainly from California, but the best way is to arrive from Kahului or Honolulu. The tourists can get a direct flight from the mainland to Kona and save the waiting and walking time at Honolulu Airport.
Hawaii has many cruise lines, but presently, there is no inter-island service to Big Island. Hawaii Superferry is a private enterprise in collaboration with State Government of Hawaii, and it proposes to start ferry services of high powered catamarans. The best way to explore Big Island is by way of rental cars. If you are restricted to only one particular area of the island, then getting around by bikes, buses or foot works fine. Big Island does not have a well developed public transport. Visitors can use the limited bus services that are available from Hilo to Kona side or Volcano, but reservations are required for these.
Big Island has all the usual offerings of tropical getaway- islands, beaches and water based activities like fishing and whale and dolphin watching. The places of tourist interest in Big Island include Akaka Falls, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, East Hawaii Cultural Center, Amy B. H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden, Hulihee Palace, Ka Lae, Manuka State Wayside Park, Mauna Kea Observatory, Nani Mau Gardens, Onizuka Space Center, Hilo Botanical Gardens, Waipio Valley, World Botanical Gardens, University of Hawaii, Pacific Tsunami Museum, Pua Mau Place Arboretum and Botanical Garden, Puuhonua O Honaunau National Historic Park, Rainbow Falls State Park, Kula Kai Caverns, Coffee Farms and Sadie Seymour Botanical Gardens.
The tourists will be able to witness volcanic activity of the active volcanoes of Mauna Loa and Kilauea in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Other tourist attractions include the beaches of black sand that are formed by the volcanic sands. The well known black sand beaches are Punalu’u Beach and Kehena Beach. South Point’s green sand beach is a must see for all visitors to Big Island. The tourist can see the lava flows also at various beaches. It is advisable to follow the safety warnings that are displayed in the park. You can get valuable insights into the heritage of Hawaii at the National Historic Park of Puuhonua and Honaunau in the form of traditional craft demonstrations. The nature lovers are surely in for a great treat at Big Island.
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