The aptly-named Big Island is, by far, the largest island in the Hawai'ian chain combine the size of all the others, double that figure, and the Big Island is still the larger land mass. Interestingly enough, this extra space does not translate to population since approximately 140,000 people, many of them living in urban areas like Hilo, call the island home. A nature-lover's paradise, the Big Island has remained relatively unspoiled, and its protected forests include the Kau, Kapapala, and Ruu Makaala Reserves in the south and the Mauna Kea, Kohala, and Hakalau Reserves in the north. At the heart of the island are two towering volcanic peaks, Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. Those visiting Mauna Kea will, quite literally, find their heads in the clouds, as the mountain's summit is some 13,700 feet above sea level, making it a prime spot for stargazing. Meanwhile, Mauna Loa is the dramatic centerpiece of Volcanoes National Park, the 13th park so designated by the United States government. Over the years, park sights have thrilled countless visitors Kilauea Caldera, which has been spewing lava since 1983; ancient lava chutes and smoldering cinder cones; and the dramatic Kau dessert, which is home to the Pu'u Loa Petroglyphs.
Big Island Factoids
Fact 1:Astronaut Ellison S. Onizuka was born in Kealakekua on June 24, 1946. He enjoyed a distinguished career in the Air Force, where he served as a test pilot and logged more than 1700 hours of flying time. Selected to be an astronaut in 1978, Onizuka worked on orbiter test and checkout teams before being named mission specialist on a 1985 shuttle launch. In 1986, he was killed in NASA's tragic Challenger mission.
Fact 2:What is the world's tallest mountain? K-2? Kilimanjaro? Everest? Technically speaking, the Big Island's Mauna Kea earns the title. Although a "mere" 13,796 feet are visible above ground, the mountain's base actually extends into the Pacific some 9 kilometers. In fact, the view from atop the mountain is so good that its peak is home to an international array of observatories and some of the world's most powerful telescopes.
Fact 3:English navigator and explorer Captain James Cook, who is credited with "discovering" the Hawai'ian islands, sailed into Kealakekua Bay (on the Kona Coast) in late 1778 with his ships, "Resolution" and "Discovery." Although his initial attempt to establish a relationship with local people seemed successful, the scene quickly turned ugly due to a handful of misunderstandings. During the tragic endgame, Cook's crew watched helplessly from their ships as the captain and four of his men were beaten and stabbed to death on the beach.
Fact 4:Where is the third largest ranch in the United States? Texas? Montana? Wyoming? Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. Spanning 220,000 acres and boasting 50,000 head of cattle, Hawai'i's Parker Ranch proudly earns that title. Home to the paniolo the Hawai'ian cowboy Parker Ranch dates to the first quarter of the 19th century, when a young sailor found life on the island to his liking, married a local girl, and began rounding up cattle for King Kamehameha I. After several years of toil, the family fortune began to grow, and Parker salt beef replaced sandalwood as the island's chief export. Today, the ranch employs almost two-dozen full-time cowboys, and its historic homes help make it a popular tourist attraction.
Fact 5:In the 19th century, before ultra-modern high-rise hotels, championship golf courses, cozy condo hideaways, and pristine beaches, the Big Island managed to attract quite a few tourists from Europe and the Mainland. Interestingly enough, the big draw in those days was Mauna Loa and its constant volcanic activity. Travelers would gather at a large hut near the rim of Kilauea Crater and spend the night. The Volcano House, as the hut came to be known, was the islands' first resort accommodation and operates to this day.
Fact 6:Hawai'i's greatest king, Kamehameha I, was born on the Big Island around 1753, near Mo'okini Heiau, the temple dedicated to the war god Ku. After assuming the mantle of moi (ruler) of Hawai'i, Kamehameha engaged in campaigns to unite the islands under a common throne. After slaying his final enemy his own cousin, Keoua and using the slain chief's body to dedicate a heiau (temple) at Kawaihae, Kamehameha the Lonely One became the sole ruler of the Hawai'ian islands, a position he held until his death in 1819.
Fact 7:Although large, Hawai'i often finds itself at the mercy of the sometimes-tempestuous Pacific. Constantly on the mind of locals, for example, is the threat of the tsunami a great wave caused by underwater seismic activity or a volcanic eruption. One such tsunami ravaged the island's north coast in the mid-40s, washing across Laupahoehoe Point and claiming the lives of 24 people. A memorial there remembers the dreadful incident.
Fact 8:Countless movies and television shows have been filmed on the islands of Hawai'i, among them "Magnum, P.I.," "Hawaii 5-0," a season of MTV's "The Real World," and Kevin Costner's "Waterworld." These projects lead to frequent star sightings at the islands' many restaurants and nightclubs, so keep your eyes peeled and your camera loaded.
Fact 9:The Pohakuloa Training Area, located near the heart of the island, is the US Army's largest Pacific training facility. With harsh terrain made nearly impassable due to rugged lava fields, PTA is also home to a rich variety of endangered plant and animal species, as well as to approximately 150 important archaeological sites. Pohakuloa's 109,000 square acres contains an airfield, 19 artillery ranges, 24 mortar points, and a 50,000-plus-acre impact area. Both the United States and her allies use the PTA for combat training.
Fact 10:Exceeding 4000 square miles, the Big Island more than lives up to its name, especially when compared to its smaller neighbors. In fact, the Big Island makes up more than 60% of the state's total land mass, and all the other islands could fit inside it twice. The really scary part? Thanks to continual volcanic activity, the island is still growing.
