Introduction

The Big Island of Hawaii is the largest island in the United States and is two times larger than all of the other seven major Hawaiian islands combined. The island has 4,028 square miles of land ranging from tropical rainforest and towering waterfalls to snow topped volcanoes; from sprawling cattle ranches to 266 miles of coastline featuring surf and sun-kissed beaches.

Some say that Hawaii was named after Hawai'iloa, the legendary Polynesian navigator who first discovered it. Others say the name originates from the legendary land of Hawaiki, from which the Polynesians originated and also the place where they go to in their afterlife, the realm of the gods.

Hawaii's climate has two seasons: summer time which lasts from May to October and winter time lasting from November through April. The average temperature in Kailua-Kona ranges between 72° in winter and 77° in summer. Yearly rainfall in the island varies between 10 inches at Kawaihae on the Northwest coast to 128 inches at Hilo on the East coast. Steady tradewinds and ocean currents contribute to making Hawaii's climate one of the most comfortable in the world.

Geology

The Island of Hawaii is formed from five separate overlapping shield volcanoes that have erupted over time and includes the Southern most point in the United States. The five volcanoes include: Kohala in the North (dormant); Mauna Kea (dormant); Hualalai (dormant); Mauna Loa (active); and Kilauea (very active; part of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park).

Mauna Loa and Kilauea are active volcanoes and so the island of Hawaii is still growing. Between January of 1983 and September 2002, 543 acres of land were added to the island by lava flows extending the coastline seaward. Several towns have been destroyed by Kilauea lava flows in modern times: Kapoho (1960), Kalapana (1990), and Kaimu- (1990).

History

The Big Island is also rich in history. Hawaii was the home island of Kamehameha the Great, who by 1795 had united most of the Hawaiian Islands under his rule after several years of warfare and conquest. Captain James Cook, was the first European to discover Hawaii and was later killed while anchored in Kealakekua Bay. In the year 1820 the first missionaries who came from Boston Massachusetts arrived and founded the first Christian church in Hawaii.

- Hawaii is the only state in the nation that grows coffee which was first introduced to Hawaii in 1828.
- Sugar was first produced commercially in Hawaii in 1835.
- Hawaii is the only state in the nation with a royal palace.
- The first cargo to pass through the newly constructed Panama Canal, on May 8, 1914 was a barge load of sugar from Hawaii.
- Born on the Big Island astronaut, Ellison Onizuka, was killed in the explosion of the space shuttle Challenger in 1986.

Other Interesting Facts

- Kileaua Volcano in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is the world’s most active volcano.
- At more than 33,000 feet, Mauna Kea is the world’s tallest mountain measured from the ocean floor.
- Hawaii’s Big Island is world famous for its Kona coffee, macadamia nuts, and orchids.
- There are cowboys in Hawaii. Called Paniolo, you can see them in action at Parker Ranch, one of the oldest and biggest ranches in the United States.

Demographics

As of 2000, there were 148,677 people, 52,985 households, and 36,877 families residing in the county. The population density was 14/km² (37/mi²). There were 62,674 housing units at an average density of 6/km² (16/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 31.55% White, 0.47% African American, 0.45% Native American, 26.70% Asian, 11.25% Pacific Islander, 1.14% from other races, and 28.44% from two or more races. 9.49% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 52,985 households out of which 32.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.60% were married couples living together, 13.20% had a woman whose husband did not live with her, and 30.40% were non-families. 23.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.24.

In the county the population was spread out with 26.10% under the age of 18, 8.20% from 18 to 24, 26.20% from 25 to 44, 26.00% from 45 to 64, and 13.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 100 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98 males.

Government

The Big Island of Hawaii is governed at the county level and has a mayor elected for up to two four-year terms as well as a nine member council each having terms lasting two years. The Big Island's county seat is located in Hilo on the East side of the island.

Transportation

Two airports serve Hawaii Island including Hilo International Airport; and Kona International Airport .

Hilo International Airport (IATA: ITO, ICAO: PHTO), formerly General Lyman Field, is a public airport on the East side of the island. Most flights to Hilo International Airport are from Honolulu International Airport by the major Hawaii-based carriers: Hawaiian Airlines, Island Air, and Pacific Wings. Between 2006 and April 2, 2008, ATA Airlines provided daily non-stop service from Oakland, California to Hilo aboard its Boeing 737-800 aircraft, re-establishing direct service from the mainland to Hilo for the first time since 1986.

Kona International Airport at Keahole (IATA: KOA, ICAO: PHKO) on the West side of the island and serves both the town of Kailua-Kona and the major resorts of the North Kona and South Kohala districts. Carriers flying into Kona include: American Airlines-1-800-433-7300, Continental-1-800-525-0280, Canadian Airlines-1-800-523-3273, Delta-1-800-221-1212, Hawaiian-1-800-882-8811, Hawaiian has hourly inter-island flights statewide, Japan Airlines-1-800-525-3663, Northwest-1-800-225-2525, United Airlines-1-800-241-6522.

Time Zone

Hawaii Standard Time (GMT-10 hours), 5 hours behind the US East Coast, 6 hours behind during Daylight Saving Time (Hawaii does not observe Daylight Saving Time).