| About 1,200 years ago, Polynesian voyagers | | | | Air tours abound on the island, offering a |
| navigated the Pacific Ocean paddling canoes, | | | | bird's eye view of the awesome power of an |
| using the stars as their guide, and arrived | | | | erupting volcano. Small planes offer a |
| on these rocky shores. Bringing with them | | | | quieter view from above while helicopter |
| foods like taro, chickens, pigs, bananas and | | | | flights for most visitors are considered a |
| coconut, fishing skills and knowledge of | | | | must. Departures from Hilo, Waikoloa and Kona |
| canoe building, these new settlers thrived. | | | | allow a variety of options and assure |
| By 1779, when legendary explorer Captain | | | | something for every activity level, age and |
| James Cook arrived in the waters of | | | | budget. For the photographer, there are |
| Kealakekua Bay, the population of the island | | | | doors-off flights and tours including a |
| was about 80,000 strong! | | | | landing within the park. Have a picnic lunch |
| | | | before exploring this remote area and getting |
| Hawaii Island was the home of one of the most | | | | safely close to the lava. |
| prominent figures in the history of the | | | | |
| state, King Kamehameha the Great. Born around | | | | Not to be forgotten, Mauna Kea plays host to |
| 1753, Kamehameha is considered one of | | | | snowboarders, skiers and nightly stargazing |
| Hawaii's greatest leaders. By conquering all | | | | tours. Most car rental companies prohibit |
| the islands and bringing them under one rule, | | | | driving on the road to the summit and it can |
| it is believed that this great warrior was | | | | be a bit scary for the novice; luckily, it's |
| actually able to end the warring between the | | | | not difficult to join a guided group outing. |
| islands by uniting them under one rule with | | | | |
| laws created to preserve peace. King | | | | Big Island Tourism & Leisure |
| Kamehameha Day is an annual celebration | | | | |
| dedicated to this beloved leader. While | | | | While Kilauea may be the most well known |
| celebrated state wide, the Big Island plays | | | | attraction, there is certainly no shortage of |
| is considered the "most special place to pay | | | | things to do. With geographical diversity |
| tribute" to the great King. | | | | including vast, arid desert, lush, tropical |
| | | | rainforests, sandy beaches, and even |
| The youngest of the Hawaiian island chains, | | | | snow-capped mountains, Hawaii Island is an |
| the Big Island is also the largest. Already | | | | adventure lover's paradise! ATV and horseback |
| covering about 4038 square miles, about 2/3 | | | | tours offer panoramic views, waterfalls and |
| of the land mass of the entire state of | | | | historic trails while leisurely sightseeing |
| Hawaii, the island is growing daily, thanks | | | | tours explore the Hamakua Coast, Paniolo |
| to the eruptions Hawaii's two active | | | | Country, and Waimea. |
| volcanoes, Mauna Loa and Kilauea. The summit | | | | |
| at another of the Big Island's volcanoes, | | | | The island is still relatively young and does |
| Mauna Kea, reaches a staggering 13,796 feet, | | | | not offer a great many sandy beaches but the |
| and is the tallest mountain in the world. | | | | ones you'll find are stunning. As in most of |
| | | | the state, the best beaches are usually found |
| Hawaii Volcano Tours | | | | near resorts and are fairly easy to find; |
| | | | however, if you venture off the beaten path, |
| Kilauea volcano draws thousands of visitors | | | | a little leg work will reveal striking |
| from around the globe and is probably the | | | | stretches of black sand at Punalu'u Beach and |
| biggest attraction on the island. A number of | | | | even green sands at Papakolea. |
| eco-tour and hiking companies offer daily | | | | |
| treks into Volcanoes National Park, as | | | | Snorkeling from shore is not the greatest, so |
| Naturalists and Hawaii Certified Guides lead | | | | visitors would do well to consider a guided |
| the way on foot and on guided driving tours, | | | | snorkel tour. There are a number of boat and |
| allowing visitors to discover extinct | | | | kayak tours heading out daily to places like |
| craters, ancient Hawaiian petroglyphs, lava | | | | Kealakekua Bay and Pawai Bay Marine Preserve, |
| tubes, steam vents, and the arid desert | | | | allowing visitors to experience gorgeous reef |
| landscape of Kilauea in relative safety. | | | | areas teeming with tropical fish and Hawaiian |
| While not always a guarantee (for safety | | | | sea turtles. There are even a good number of |
| reasons), this is one of the few places in | | | | family-owned companies that take small groups |
| the world that allows you to walk right up to | | | | out to look for, and swim with Wild Dolphins; |
| a flow of molten lava! | | | | talk about connecting with nature! |
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