Information about The Big Island of Hawaii

Here's a helpful factsheet about the Big Island of Hawaii to help you plan and enjoy your trip to Hawaii. If you'd like to add something to this list, e-mail us.

The official color of Hawai'i is red. Hawaii's flower is the Red Lehua (Ohia).

Covering 4,038 square miles, it is easy to see how the island of Hawaii gets its nickname. All of the other Hawaiian islands could easily fit inside the gigantic island.

The island's two airports can be found at the cities of Hilo and Kona.

Despite it's huge area only 130,000 people live on the island, many of which are located in the city of Hilo, by far the largest on the island.

You may have heard of the island because of the large amount of volcanic activity that occurs. Mauna Loa and Kilauea, both very active can be found on the island.

Kilauea has been in a constant state of eruption for the last 16 years and can be visited at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. A highway runs near the volcano and so it is easily accessible.

Mauna Loa, though not as tempestuous as its cousin Kilauea still erupts quite often. At 13,677 feet (4,169 meters), it is one of the largest shield volcanoes in the world.

Mauna Kea, a volcano long since fallen dormant is 13,796 feet (4,205 meters) tall, makng it the highest point in the state.

Hawaii is the youngest of the eight main islands and is still growing! Located directly over a geologic "hotspot", lava escapes to the surface and hardens, constantly expanding the island's size.

Unfortunately, Hawaii is not exactly an island paradise. The shorelines are young and rugged, and what beaches that do exist are composed almost entirely of black sand. Just the same, where else in the US can you catch a good, close glimpse at an active volcano? And don't you say Oregon...