The Island of Hawaii |
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Also known as the Big Island or the Orchid Island, Hawaii is the youngest (approx. 700,000 years) and the largest (approx. 4,028 square miles) of all the islands in the Hawaiian archipelago. It also is host to virtually every climate found on the planet: sandy beaches, lowland jungles, upland forests, deserts, active volcanoes, tundra and even snow capped Mauna Kea at 13,796 ft above sea level.
First settled by Polynesians around 1,100 AD, the Big Island is now home to a virtual melting pot of cultural diversity including: Native Hawaiians, Japanese, Caucasians, Chinese, Filipino, Korean, and so many more from every corner of the planet.
Hilo, on the eastern or windward side, is the County seat, and is also home to the University of Hawaii at Hilo, as well as the annual Merrie Monarch Hula Competition. Other features Hilo has to offer include: Imiloa Astronomy Center, Tsunami Museum, a bustling Farmer's Market, botanical gardens, stunning water falls, and a small boat harbor by a mile long sandy beach.
On the western or leeward side of the island about 80 miles away is the Kona and Kohala districts. Places and activities of note on that side include: World class resorts and golf courses, abundant white sand beaches, calm seas with world class deep sea fishing, and a handful of ancient Hawaiian heiau (temples).
Among the major industries on the Big Island: World class astronomy research facilities, extensive aquaculture, Coffee, Macadamia Nuts, Ginger, Citrus, Banana orchards as well as a vast array of flower and tropical foliage nurseries.
Year of Statehood: 1959 - 50th State.
State Motto: Ua mau ke ea o ka `aina i ka pono (The life of the land is pepuated in righteousness).
State Flower: `Ohia Lehua
State Fish: Humuhumunukunukuapua`a
State Bird: Nene Goose
For more information on the Big Island, go to: http://www.gohawaii.com/
The link below to stunning lava video footage from LavaScapes and lava image in the slide show below is courtesy of Mick Kalber at Tropical Visions Video, Hilo, Hawai‘i http://tropicalvisions.com/
First settled by Polynesians around 1,100 AD, the Big Island is now home to a virtual melting pot of cultural diversity including: Native Hawaiians, Japanese, Caucasians, Chinese, Filipino, Korean, and so many more from every corner of the planet.
Hilo, on the eastern or windward side, is the County seat, and is also home to the University of Hawaii at Hilo, as well as the annual Merrie Monarch Hula Competition. Other features Hilo has to offer include: Imiloa Astronomy Center, Tsunami Museum, a bustling Farmer's Market, botanical gardens, stunning water falls, and a small boat harbor by a mile long sandy beach.
On the western or leeward side of the island about 80 miles away is the Kona and Kohala districts. Places and activities of note on that side include: World class resorts and golf courses, abundant white sand beaches, calm seas with world class deep sea fishing, and a handful of ancient Hawaiian heiau (temples).
Among the major industries on the Big Island: World class astronomy research facilities, extensive aquaculture, Coffee, Macadamia Nuts, Ginger, Citrus, Banana orchards as well as a vast array of flower and tropical foliage nurseries.
Year of Statehood: 1959 - 50th State.
State Motto: Ua mau ke ea o ka `aina i ka pono (The life of the land is pepuated in righteousness).
State Flower: `Ohia Lehua
State Fish: Humuhumunukunukuapua`a
State Bird: Nene Goose
For more information on the Big Island, go to: http://www.gohawaii.com/
The link below to stunning lava video footage from LavaScapes and lava image in the slide show below is courtesy of Mick Kalber at Tropical Visions Video, Hilo, Hawai‘i http://tropicalvisions.com/