Introducing Hawai'i (The Big Island)
Hawai'i is an embarrassment of riches. One is tempted to spout superlatives till you shudder under their weight, but that can’t capture an experience of the ‘Orchid Isle.’ Consider:
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Hawai'i is twice as big as the other islands combined. Among its five volcanoes are two of the earth’s largest, and its most active - Kilauea, in the Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. But what you’ll remember is the awe of standing in a surreal lava wasteland as, hopefully, glowing magma pours over cliffs into a boiling ocean – earth in the making. Hawai'i, so big and so tall, contains nearly every one of earth’s ecological zones. This translates into a full quiver’s worth of adventures: sunbathing on white-sand beaches, snorkeling coral reefs, riding horses over rangelands, traipsing through rain forests, and stargazing from subarctic mountaintops.
Hawai'i, birthplace of Kamehameha – Hawaii’s great ruler – has well-preserved cultural sites, from ancient stone heiau (temples) to sacred places of refuge. Even if you struggle to pronounce their names, the shimmering mana (spiritual essence) of these places will pierce your heart.
Finally, Hawai'i is as socially diverse as O'ahu, but with none of Honolulu’s big-city edge. Hawai'i holds the state’s second city – Hilo – along with ‘hang-loose, brah’ towns, Native Hawaiian communities, beach resorts and working-class subdivisions. Which means, with luck, you’ll find the best souvenir – encounters with locals that bring to life the complexity of the ‘real’ Hawaii.
It’s not called the Big Island for nothing.
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Last updated: Feb 25, 2010
Tips & articles
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10 best things to climb
17 April 2011
Over ice and iron girders, shinnying up temples and scaling rainforest trees – tackle the world’s most worthwhile ways to...
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Hawaii for first-timers: how to choose an island
15 March 2011
Planning a trip to the Hawaiian Islands but not sure where to start? Torn between picking a single island or...
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Hawai'i the Big Island lives up to its name
24 July 2009
Aptly named, Hawai’i the Big Island is BIG. Twice the size of the other Hawaiian Islands combined, they say; and...
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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RE: Honeymoon
by martiniman 14 September 2011
I think the OP is from someone in Romania because of the family name, is that right Larisa?. But I might be wrong... :-) The choice…
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RE: Which island to visit in Hawaii - Oahu or Maui?
by lisa2468 13 September 2011
If you come to Oahu skip Waikiki Beach. It's totally yuckers, dirty and over populated with people in a bad way. Walk Waikiki at night…
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RE: Which island to visit in Hawaii - Oahu or Maui?
by KirSnow 13 September 2011
We went for 10 days and split our time between Oahu and The Big Island. 3 days on The Big Island was plenty (in my opinion) and 7 days…
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Hotels & Hostels in Hawai'i (The Big Island)
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Grand Wailea - A Waldorf Astoria Resort
Hawai'i (The Big Island)(4 star Hotel)
From US$184.50 per night
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Hawai'i (The Big Island)
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Our Top Picks For Hawai'i (The Big Island)
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1 Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park
Hike the smoking craters and lava terrain of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park
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2 Pacific manta rays
Almost brush bellies while diving with Pacific manta rays
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3 Waipi'o Valley
Lounge with wild horses on the black-sand beach in Waipi'o Valley
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4 Mauna Kea
Watch the sun set and the stars blaze from Mauna Kea
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5 Hilo
Discover historic downtown Hilo – its museums, historic buildings and ice shave
Our favourite Hawai'i (The Big Island) Blogs (beta)
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An Itinerary for the Big Island of Hawaii
Blog: Ottsworld - 26 January 2012
For me, travel is about experiences and connecting with people. When I make a connection with people in a destination, then it will turn into one of those magical places that will be on my ‘favorite’ list for years to come. That is what the Big Island of Hawaii was for me. I made many [...]
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Honey Happiness
Blog: Ottsworld - 24 January 2012
Can honey make the world a better place? Prior to traveling on the Big Island my answer to that question was most definitely “Huh? ” most likely followed by “No.” However, after meeting Richard of the Volcano Island Honey Company, spending hours talking to him enthralled with every piece of information that came from his [...]
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Kailua Kona – Lodging with a Personal Touch
Blog: Ottsworld - 19 January 2012
Big Island – Accommodation – Kona Hula Girl When I first wrote to the Kona Hula Girl owners to learn more about their rental property the owners said, “I do want you to be aware that this is not a traditional hotel in any way”. They clearly knew exactly what to say to me to [...]
