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Hawaii Island

Travel Guide North America USA Western United States Hawaii Hawaii Island

Introduction

Big Island Volcano

Hawaii Island, or the Big Island, is (as the name correctly suggest) the biggest island of Hawaii. Unlike Oahu, where Honolulu is located though, it sees far less tourists and is far more attractive regarding nature and landscapes as well.

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Geography

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Cities

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Sights and Activities

Mouna Kea

2 of the 14 Observatories on Mauna Kea

Mauna Kea is by some measures the tallest mountain in the world. When measured from the base of the mountain on the floor of the Pacific Ocean, it rises 10,203 metres to its peak, taller than Mount Everest if using the same measurement. It is a dormant volcano, with its last eruption dating back to about 2,500 BC.

In the Hawaiian language, Mauna Kea means "white mountain", so named because its summit is regularly covered with snow in winter. The mountain's summit is one of the best astronomical sites in the world and several leading observatories can be found there as a result.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is a 377 square mile (about 1,000 km²) park where visitors can get up close and personal with Hawaii's volcanoes.
Cultural and Spiritual Journeys can now be enjoyed on the Big Island to some of the most sacred places in Hawaii, including Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, alongside indigenous kahuna. There is a long history of the Hawaiian people being separated from the engine of tourism that drives economy of Hawai'i and that originates in the land.

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Events and Festivals

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Weather

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Getting There

By Plane

Kona International Airport (KOA) is the major airport on the western side of the Big Island.
There are direct flights to the Big Island with United Airlines from Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago. US Airways has flights from Phoenix.
American Airlines and Delta Airlines also serve the airport from Los Angeles.
Some other cities with direct flights include Vancouver (seasonal), Seattle, Oakland and Tokyo.

You can also fly to Oahu/Honolulu first (which has many internationl flights) and connect with Hawaiian Airlines through Honolulu. Kahului has also flights with Hawaiian to Kona Airport.

Hilo International Airport currently only serves Honolulu and Kahului.

By Boat

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Getting Around

By Plane

By Train

By Car

Many international rental companies have a wide selection of rental cars and these include Hertz, Avis, Dollar, Thrifty, Enterprise, Budget and Alamo/National. Most companies will require you are at least 25 years of age, although younger people might be able to rent cars at slightly higher rates and with some insurance differences as well. A national driver's license is usually enough, but an additional international one is recommended. Also note that it usually costs more to include lots of other extra things. For example extra drivers, GPS, the first full tank, SLI (Supplemental Liability Insurance), PAI (Personal Accident Insurance, usually covered already at home), road assistance/service plan, and drop-off costs for one-way rentals.
If you want to book a car, it is recommended that you book your car before arriving in the USA. This is almost always (much) cheaper compared to just showing up. Also, try and book with a so-called 'broker', which usually works together with a few or many car rental companies and can offer the best deal. Some examples include Holidayautos, Holidaycars and Sunny Cars. Some of the cheapest deals to book from Europe, includes Drive-USA, which also has a German version.

For more information and tips about renting cars and campers, additional costs, insurance, traffic rules, scenic routes and getting maps and fuel it is advised to check the USA Getting Around section.