Aloha and Welcome to Hawaii!

The island that gives Hawaii its name is one of the most spectacular and geographically diverse places in the world, with 11 of earth's 13 climates. Snow-capped mountains, great surfing, an active volcano, and cascading waterfalls, make the Big Island a paradise for those wishing to explore some of Mother Nature's finest work. Travel into another world under the sea where caves and coral reefs are home to colorful tropical fish and more than a few surprises. There aren't many places where you can witness lava flowing directly from a volcano like you can at Kilauea. Travel into space by heading up Mauna Kea, Hawaii's tallest mountain at nearly 14,000 feet, and home to the largest telescopes in the world.                                                                                             Whether you are a life-long resident, thinking of moving to Hawaii, a newcomer, a visitor or an interested observer, Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce offers you quick access to the best online information in East Hawaii.  Spend a Day the Local Way To View the Destination Hilo Historical Site Map, click on the image For up-to-the minute ACTIVITIES in Hilo, check out Downtown Hilo Accommodations, Attractions and Highlights for the Hawaiian Islands: Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau LOCAL NEWS West Hawaii today   and  Hawaii Tribune Herald Current WEATHER reports: Kona National Weather Service Zone Forecast Hilo National Weather Service Zone Forecast Meteorological data for the Hawaiian Islands, including sea temp, tidal data, surf, satellite imagery and forecasts. Find what you were looking for? If not, let us know what we can add. Email us Find answers to Frequently asked Questions about Hawaii and Hawaii Related topics at   Aloha Friends   The Big Island, the state’s largest island at 4,034 square miles is twice the size of all other Hawaiian Islands combined. At 800,000 years the Big Island is the youngest of the island chain. However, it was the first island discovered by voyaging Polynesians. The Big Island was formed by five volcanoes, two of which are still active. Kilauea Volcano is the world's most continuously active volcano. Two of the tallest mountains in the Pacific - Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa - dominate the center of the island. Mauna Kea is the tallest mountain in the world (measured from its base at the ocean floor) at over 13,700 feet tall. The largest contiguous ranch, in the United States, is in Hawaii. The Parker Ranch near Kamuela has about 480,000 acres of land. Ka Lae is the southernmost point in the United States. It is located at 18:54:49 N 155:41:00 W. There is a constant 27 knots per hour wind blowing east to west, 24 hours per day and 365 days per year. The Big Island also has the most diverse climates of all the Hawaiian Islands. From tropical rainforests to open prairie and snow covered mountains. Hawaii temperatures are in general are mild and do not vary more than about +/- 5 degrees throughout the year. The island houses the world's biggest telescope and more scientific observatories in one place than anywhere else in the world. The islands primary industries include tourism, diversified agriculture and cattle ranching. It has the world's largest macadamia nut industry, the largest orchid-growing business, and a major coffee industry.   For Data and Statistics the Hawaii County Data Book is your best source. County of Hawaii offices and Information on Hawaii County (Big Island) available by clicking here www.hawaii-county.com   Hawaii is the 50th state of the United States, comprising a group of eight major islands and numerous islets in the central Pacific Ocean. Area, 6,450 sq mi (16,706 sq km). Pop.(2000) 1,211,537, a 9.3% increase since the 1990 census. Capital and largest city,Honolulu.  Nickname, Aloha State. Motto,Ua Mau Ke Ea O Ka Aina I Ka Pono [The Life of the Land Is Perpetuated in Righteousness]. State bird,Hawaiian goose - the nene. State flower, hibiscus. State tree, Kukui or candlenut.

 

Geologically the youngest of the Hawaiian group, the Big Island of Hawaii is made up of three volcanic mountain masses rising from the floor of the Pacific Ocean - Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, and Hualalai. Lava flows, some of which reach the sea, and volcanic ash cover parts of the island. The north and northeast coasts are rugged with high cliffs; the west and south coasts are generally low, with some good bathing beaches. An unusual black-sand beach lies on the southeast coast.

The Hawaiian Islands are of volcanic origin and are edged with coral reefs. The Big Island of Hawaii is the largest and geologically the youngest island of the group, and Oahu , where the capital, Honolulu , is located, is the most populous and economically important. The other principal islands are Kahoolawe, Kauai, Lanai, Maui, Molokai, and Niihau. The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, consisting of uninhabited islets and excluding Midway , stretch more than 1,100 mi (1,800 km) from Nihoa to Kure. Most of islets are encompassed in the Hawaiian Island National Wildlife Refuge; the surrounding waters and coral reefs are in the vast 84-million-acre (34-million-hectare) Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Reserve. Palmyra Atoll and Kingman Reef , which were within the boundaries of Hawaii when it was a U.S. territory, were excluded when statehood was achieved.

Sugarcane and pineapples, grown chiefly on large company-owned plantations, are the major agricultural products and the basis of the islands' principal industry, food processing. Macadamia nuts, papayas, greenhouse vegetables, and coffee are also very important. Other products include cocoa, cattle, and dairy products. Commercial fishing, especially tuna, is also significant. Tourism is, however, the leading source of income, and defense installations, including Pearl Harbor, follow.