Big Island of Hawai`i

Leaving the Kona Airport is a novel experience because you pass an old bed of cooled black lava which locals have decorated with white rocks. Some text is touching and some cryptic. Usually, you see the names of friends or lovers. Due to the mineral content, a lava flow is a very fertile place and in the midst of it you can see newly growing grasses spouting.

The island is also home to the paniolos (Hawai`ian cowboys) some of whom are descendants of Spanish-Mexican ranch hands who came to the island 6 generations ago. Parker Ranch is comprised of some 225,000 acres and dates back to 1847.

Ka Lae is the southernmost part of the island and also is the southernmost point in the United States. Key West Florida is the southernmost point only in the continental U.S.

There are two major shopping areas on opposite sides of the island, Kailua-Kona and Hilo.

The Big Island has around six areas to explore and contains very contrasting terrain. On Mauna Kea volcano you can actually snow ski if you are an expert. There is a rain forest and even the lava flow, all within a few hours drive. Add to that 200 miles of coastline and you have one big island!

The southeastern part of the island contains the active volcano and you may see real lava flowing. Take a jacket though as the temperature can be quite cool away from the lava.

Northeast on the island, see the 420 foot falls (the highest in all Hawai`i).

Also on the island you will find petroglyphs which are etchings from the Ancient Hawaiian people.

The Big Island is also known for its coffee with a taste unlike anywhere else on earth.
 

Click the book to buy it!

By the way, my favorite guide book for the Big Island of Hawai`i is "Hawai`i The Big Island Revealed". The authors also wrote a guide to the Kaua`i. This book is an exceptional guide to the big island. They give honest comparisons of prices and reveal many secret places for you to explore on your trip.

	Waves and Lava.
	A Cooled Lava Flow. There are "miles" of this stuff!
	The Ocean, Lava and a Tree.
	The Point.
	The rain forest starkly contrasts with the lava nearby.
	A black sand beach, formed from lava.
	Petroglyphs near the golf course.
	Petroglyph man.
	Kilauea Caldera crater.
	There's a lava hotspot in the photo's center. Click the photo to see it.
	People watching steam from lava entering the ocean. They don't know it but lava is flowing a few feet below their feet!
	Night photo of hot lava 3 feet away from me!
	This is how close we got to the lava!
	Driving down Chain of Craters Road, this may be your first glimpse of the flowing lava.
	A sea arch formed by lava.
	This photo explains why the road sort of ends here.
	This photo reminds me of the "Band of Brothers". A crowd is gathered at sunset to watch the nighttime show.
	A nighttime shot, showing the distant glow of lava entering the ocean.

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