| | History (Source: WCities) | Top | While the oldest Hawaiian island (Kaua’i) was formed some 5.1 million years ago, the Big Island is the newest addition, and is still growing. There were once five active volcanoes contributing to the island's growth: Mauna Kea, Kohala, Hualalai, Kilauea and Mauna Loa. Hualalai last erupted in 1801, while Kilauea and Mauna Loa are still considered active. By the time Westerners discovered Hawai'i (in the late 18th century), Polynesians from the Marquesas, Tahiti and the Cook Islands had lived on the islands for more than 1,200 years. These island people had traveled over 3,500 miles by sea, bringing with them the plant life and animals necessary for their survival. They had established a way of life based around agriculture and a government based around ali'I (chiefs) and kahuna (priests). The system of kapu dictated the rules of society. The Hawaiian people were, for the most part, peaceful. Because there were only a limited number of able-bodied warriors, a fighting lifestyle was not practical. Pre-contact life on the Big Island was quite prosperous. As one of the primary taro producers in the island chain, it managed to maintain a relatively high standard of living through inter-island trade. The ancient Hawaiians were a highly religious people; many gods and goddesses affected their behavior in everyday life. On the Big Island, the most powerful of these was the Volcano Goddess, Pele. Big Islanders believed that Pele’s wrath showed itself in the form of th
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| How To Get There (Source: WCities) | Top | Getting There By Air Hilo International and Kona International are the two major airports that service Hawaii's Big Island. Hilo International Airport ( ITO ) ( +1 808 934 5840 / http://www.hawaii.gov/dot/airports/hawaii/ito/ ) is located on the eastern shore of Hawaii's Big Island and provides connections to several destinations from the following airlines: Aloha Airlines ( +1 800 367 5250 / http://www.alohaairlines.com ) Hawaiian Airlines ( +1 800 882 8811 / http://www.hawaiianair.com ) Island Air ( +1 800 652 6541 / http://www.islandair.com ) Pacific Wings ( +1 888 575 4546 / http://www.pacificwings.com ) Kona International Airport at Keahole ( KOA ) ( +1 808 329 3423 / http://www.hawaii.gov/dot/airports/hawaii/koa/ ) is located seven miles northwest of Kailua-Kona on Hawaii's Big Island and provides domestic overseas, international and inter island transportation from the following airlines: Aloha Airlines ( +1 800 367 5250 / http://www.alohaairlines.com ) American Airlines ( +1 800 433 7300 / http://www.aa.com ) Hawaiian Airlines ( +1 800 882 8811 / http://www.hawaiianair.com ) Japan Airlines ( +1 800 525 3663 / http://www.japanair.com ) United Airlines ( +1 800 241 6522 / http://www.ual.com ) SpeediShuttle ( +1 808 329 5433 / http://www.speedshuttle.com ) offers 24-hour door-to-door service to and from Kona International Airport. 20 cab companies service Hilo and Kona International Air
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| What To Do (Source: WCities) | Top | Jungle tours, lava flows, humpback whales, stargazing, Kona coffee—the Big Island is a smorgasbord of sensory delights. Give yourself plenty of time to explore Waipio Valley or to hike the trails of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park . Take in a sunset over cocktails or a sunrise over fresh island juice. Enjoy traditional Hawaiian-style entertainment at a luau. Experience the best of Hawaii: eco-adventures, art culture and genuine Aloha spirit. Explore The Island Helicopter touring is one of the most popular ways to see the Big Island. Among the more notable helicopter companies are Blue Hawaiian Helicopter Tours , Safari Helicopters and Mauna Loa Helicopters . Airplane tours are also available; try Island Hoppers or Mokulele Flight Service . Prefer to stay a little closer to the ground? Try a tour by horseback. Ride along the open range of the Kohala Mountains, through a tropical rainforest, or get a little firsthand paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) experience. Some stables are situated on private ranchland, while others conduct tours along the trails of Kealakekua Bay and Waipio Valley. For more information, contact Kohala Na'alapa Stables , Waipio Ridge Stables or any of the numerous stables listed in activity directories. For something entirely different, go to a star party. Constellations are the main event here, and you won’t be distracted by any loud music. Held at the summit of Mauna Kea, stargazing events offer unparalleled views and a unique g
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