Things to Do on the Big Island
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A surprising range of hidden treasures awaits the traveler to this seemingly barren land. For starters, this youngest and largest Hawaiian Island, known as the Big Island, presents a mass of active geological wonders. No doubt the most popular is the Kilauea Volcano where one can witness lava surges and strange land formations, hike through old lava flows and rocky deserts, and explore lava tubes. Another big site lies at the top of the tallest mountain in the world, Mauna Kea, home to important astronomical research facilities such as the W.M. Keck Observatory. The summit's altitude and clear air create the perfect setting for viewing sunsets, interesting sky configurations and stars.
Visitors will find the Big Island's cultural heritage widely preserved and celebrated. Good places to learn about the island's past include churches--the old Moku'aikaua Church and Star of the Sea Painted Church (founded by Father Damien); museums like the Hulihe'e Palace or the Kona Historical Society Museum; and heiaus such as Pu'uhonua O Honaunau. And a number of cultural festivities are held throughout the year, from the legendary Merrie Monarch Festival honoring hula, to the 30 Days of Aloha extravaganzas held in various venues throughout the islands each September.
Hawaiian traditions are steeped in the diverse natural landscape, as displayed within a network of sacred trails upon which ali'i (chiefs) once walked and native villagers carved messages into stones (petroglyphs). Other outdoor cultural attractions are coffee and macadamia nut farms (Holualoa Coffee Farm, Greenwell Coffee Farm, Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corporation); numerous botanical gardens (Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, World Botanical Gardens, Sadie Seymour Botanical Gardens); native and tropical forests (Kohala, Hamakua and Mauna Kea forest reserves, Akaka Falls); fertile green valleys (Waipio and Pololu); and various ranches (Kahua Ranch, Twelve Trees Project Orchard, Merriman's Farm, Parker Ranch).
An abundance of sports activities, from the mild to the extreme, are a notable draw for many visitors to this big land. A huge selection of water sports including surfing, sailing, snorkeling, scuba diving, big-game fishing, whale watching, and swimming are accessible within many of the island's fine beaches. Skydiving, horseback riding, cycling, golfing, bird watching, and hiking are among some of the other recreational amusements. The Big Island is also the site of the annual Ford Ironman triathlon and the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament, among other national competitions.
To get the most out of this beautiful and varied Orchid Island, as it's called, numerous sightseeing tours are available in the form of buses, private vans, cruises, limos, and helicopters. Most tour packages offer a meal, equipment where appropriate, and interpretive guides to give geological or historical information. Some of the most popular of these are Hawaii Forest & Trail, which has a selection of enriching nature walks; Blue Hawaiian Helicopters which flies over several exciting locations such as the Kilauea Volcano; and Polynesian Adventure Tours, which carries visitors by bus through various narrated excursions. Many resorts and condominium properties feature on-site concierges who are happy to help plan activities, book tours and make reservations.