Hawaii, more commonly referred to as Big Island, is the largest of the eight major land masses located in the Hawaiian archipelago. It is the youngest of all the islands and is still growing. Its varied and unique environment is unlike any other place in the world. It is home to the active volcano, Kilauea, mesmerizing beaches, numerous species of animals and plants, snow capped mountains and undisturbed rainforests. It is a preferred tourist destination and continues to attract thousands of vacationers annually. The amicable natives are just as welcoming as the enchanting surroundings and most visitors to the island are pleased to discover its salient charm.

Like many of the major islands it tells the story of a past tied to the great Polynesian navigators and settlers. Its historical sites and much of what is known about its earlier inhabitants have been revealed through several archaeological findings. Yet the evolution of the island from its humble beginnings to post modernization has not removed any of its original allure. It is a place of wonders and spectacular sights, a paradise nestled in the confines of the North Pacific Ocean.

Naming an Island
According to legend, the island inherited its name from the Polynesian navigator, Hawaiiloa, who has been attributed with discovering it. The name is said to also be inspired by the mythology of the ancient Polynesians who believed they originated from the realm of Hawaiki, home to the great deities. Captain James Cook the first European to discover Hawaii, called them the "Sandwich Islands". He was later killed by the inhabitants at Kealakekua Bay.

Big Island was once home to the formidable ruler, King Kamehameha the Great. By 1795 he had united the major islands in the chain and declared the archipelago the Kingdom of Hawaii. Today, the island chain still maintains the name bestowed upon it by the noble king. Subsequently, to avoid confusion, the original island of Hawaii is more often than not called Big Island.

A Brief Look Into the Past
The Big Island, though the youngest in the archipelago, was the first to be inhabited by the ancient Polynesians. Navigators and explorers from the Marquesas islands first landed in Hawaii over 1,500 years ago at its southern most Point at Ka Lae. The early settlers quickly established an organized system which included a hierarchy of chiefs and high priests and implemented laws, or Kapu, which determined those things which were forbidden. Several structures were also erected such as fish ponds, temples, heiaus (shrines), separate housing for royalty and storage areas for boats and musical instruments. The Hawaiians enjoyed a relatively peaceful lifestyle and most inhabitants respected the taboos that were instituted to maintain order.

By 1778, Captain James Cook landed on Kauai which led to more western explorers and missionaries entering the archipelago's waters. At first Cook was well received on the Big Island. The natives believed him to be a God and thus bestowed upon him a great level of respect. However, he was killed by the natives upon his untimely return during a ceremonial period.

At some point in the late 18th century Hawaii's Big Island was segregated into two kingdoms. There was much conflict during this period and unification of the island and ultimately the entire archipelago did not occur until Kamehameha the great conquered opposing forces. Before the major land masses were united, Kamehameha built the Puukohola Heiau, a shrine created as a tribute to the god of war Kukailimoku, which today is a National Historic Site located in North Kohala. He believed that this would bring him good fortune and help him defeat his enemies. By the late 18th century Kamehameha took control of all the major islands and deemed the entire archipelago the Kingdom of Hawaii.

Big Island was the center of activity and home to King Kamehameha's court. However, the court was soon transferred to Oahu in 1804. The King remained in Oahu, which became the major center of activity, until his health began to decline. He left in 1812 and died in his original home in 1819.

By 1820 the missionaries made their way to the Hawaiian islands. They brought with them a new way of life for the Hawaiians which led to the ban of several activities including alternative medicinal practices, shrine worship, the hula and sexual immorality. They taught the Hawaiians to read and write in English. They also helped them develop an alphabetic form for their own language and recorded information about their legends, history and traditions. They implemented a printing press where books and periodicals were published and ensured that the natives were Christianized. While the missionaries coming to the island had the unfortunate effect of suppressing their own culture, in some ways they helped to preserve it by creating printed records of the legends, practices and stories that were passed down orally.

Present day Hawaii has still managed to maintain some of its earlier cultural influences. It has a thriving tourist based economy and much of its unique geological formations have remained in tact. Monuments, museums and national parks have been instituted to keep the memory of the island's past alive. They are now full-fledged tourist attractions which expose both locals and visitors to a wonderful learning experience.

Major Industries
The greatest economic earner on the Big Island was once the sugar cane. Several plantations were established on the island which produced sugar that was exported to areas including the United States. By the middle of the 20^th century sugar plantations became less profitable and many were closed down or converted to support other ventures.

Today Hawaii's major industry is tourism. The western coast of the island is home to a number of hotels and tourist based activities. The main resort areas include North Kona and the South Kohala districts.

Agriculture is the second most viable industry on the island. Major crops include the Macadamia nut, tropical flowers, coffee, papaya and different types of vegetables. The most sought after crop is Kona branded coffee grown in the area of said name. Additionally, the cultivation of orchids, in particular, has become an important economic earner. The island is sometimes called "The Orchid Isle" because of its amazing varieties of the enigmatic flowering plant. Ranching is also another strong industry. To date there are more than 175,000 acres devoted to the rearing of cattle.

Sights and Major Attractions
There are numerous activities to enjoy and several interesting things to see once on Hawaii. The island is home to a variety of attractions and sites that both entice and entertain. Visitors are able to learn more about the history of the island, its culture, environment and long standing traditions by visiting a combination of museums, parks and geologically unique areas.

Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park
Pu'uhonua o Honaunau presents a great learning opportunity for anyone interested in understanding Hawaiian culture and heritage. The area was originally used to condemn taboo breakers who would have to perform rituals at the sanctuary in order to be granted pardon for their transgressions. Daily tours are held which involve recreations of Hukilau, or fishing with ti leaf ropes and craft exhibits among many other things. The royal fish pond on site features turtles and other aquatic life.

Akaka Falls
Perhaps one of Hawaii's greatest waterfalls, Akaka is located north of Hilo and measures a magnificent 440 feet in height. It is open to adults and children and can even be seen from the highway spanning from Waimea to Hilo.

Beaches
Big Island is undoubtedly famous for its myriad beaches. There are black sand, white sand and green sand beaches. The Kehaka Kai white sand beach or Kua Bay is a secluded and breathtaking beach with crystal clear waters, a beautiful coast line and other hidden charms. Various activities are conducted on the beach including snorkeling and swimming. Black sand beaches created from rich volcanic soil can be found in the Puna and Kau districts. The Kehena Beach and the Punalau Beach are excellent swimming spots that are especially unique because of their mineral rich sand. Green Sand beach located at South Point is another wonderful beach located on the island.

Botanical Gardens
There are several botanical gardens on the island including Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, Pau Mau Place Arboretum and Botanical Garde, Hilo Botanical Garden and Sadie Seymour Botanical Garden. Each has a spectacular selection of flowers and other plant species for viewing by both visitors and locals alike.

Waipi`o Valley
This vast valley located on the north side of the Big Island was virtually left isolated for a thousand years after a large tsunami destroyed most of the man made structures built within its boundaries. Today tours on horseback are provided for visitors who are able to explore the scenic and fascinating geological formation.

Whale Watching
Every year pods of humpback whales visit the shores of Hawaii to bear their young and bask in the warmth of the subtropical ocean. They may be seen along the coastal areas training calves or simply frolicking in the delightful waters. They typically enter the Hawaiian region during the late December period and leave in early spring some time in March or even as late as May.

Viewing Celestial Bodies
Big Island is an ideal region to view the stars and other celestial bodies. Because of its high altitude, latitude and few city lights, telescopes placed, specifically, in the Mauna Kea region, Hawaii's largest dormant volcano, are able to pick up spectacular impressions of distant entities. When viewing from the Mauna Kea region, orange and pink shades may be identified. This is a slight glare from the sodium lights found on the big island that are used to enhance the view from the advantageous site. Visitors are allowed to bring their own equipment or use the telescopes provided by the Onizuka Center for International Astronomy. Anyone can enter the site and enjoy the spectacle proceeding sunset some time after 6 PM. There are a vast number of stars, with a visibility that few other areas worldwide will allow. The site's elevation of 9200 feet means it is much cooler than lower sections of the island, thus visitors are expected to dress warmly.

Hawaii Land of Beauty
The thriving Hawaiian environment is filled with a variety of plants including several endemic flowers and trees that are unique to the luxuriant surroundings. The appearance of these colorful and manifold species adds to the overall charm of the breathtaking island. Yet, many of these are useful beyond their ornamental value. Ancient Hawaiians have long utilized herbs, flowers and nuts in the preparation of medicines, cleaning agents and beauty products. The natural ingredients found within these organic structures are very effective. Current scientific studies have already identified several species of plant life grown on the Big Island which elicit reasonable effects on overall health. Some of the more powerful plant extracts include the aloe vera, coconut, kukui nut, sea kelp, and the macadamia nut, all found abundantly in Hawaii.

Hawaii is everything expected of a tropical paradise. It is home to numerous species of plants and animals, extensive stretches of entrancing beaches, atypical geological formations, cascading waterfalls and wonderful sights. Its value to the archipelago is unquestionable. Its exotic appeal, historical importance and cultural significance make it one of the more outstanding islands within the archipelago.

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