Big Island Vacations and Discount Big Island Vacation Packages
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The Big Island is the youngest, largest and southern-most island in the Hawaiian archipelago. In fact, it is so large it can hold all the other Hawaiian Islands combined. Not only is the Big Island BIG, it is still growing! The island is probably most well-known for the Kilauea volcano, which has been active and erupting since January, 1983. It is one of the world's most active volcanoes and it's possible to drive right up to the summit, and after a short walk, safely view Kilauea's spewing fire and molten lava.
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The Big Island of Hawaii is home to a number of fascinating oddities. With eleven different climate zones, you can find everything from dense tropical rainforests to an arid desert-like region and black sand beaches to white snow-capped mountain tops. It is possible to surf in the morning and snow ski later the same day. Annual rainfall averages 131 inches in Hilo while Kawaihae receives only 10 inches a year. Mauna Kea, measured from the ocean floor, is the world's tallest mountain.
In addition to the Big Island's Kilauea volcano, there are a host of other popular tourist attractions such as the Waipio Valley, Hawaii's "Valley of Kings". This beautiful valley overlooks a black sand beach, popular with surfers, and features taro farms and several large waterfalls. Puukohola Heiau is a restored ancient Hawaiian religious temple built by King Kamehameha the Great between 1790 and 1791 to incur the favor of the war god Kuka'ilimoku.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, another popular Big Island vacation destination, is a National designated wilderness providing unusual hiking and great camping. 11 miles north of Hilo is Akaka Falls, a 442 ft. tall waterfall.
Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park (also known as the City of Refuge) preserves the site where, until the early 1800's, Hawaiians breaking one of the ancient laws (Kapu) could escape certain death by fleeing here. A priest would absolve the offender who then was free to leave. During times of battle defeated warriors and also found refuge here. The Lapakahi State Historic Park is the location of an ancient Hawaiian settlement where visitors can learn about Hawaiian culture and see what an ancient Hawaiian fishing village looked like long ago.
Big Island activities include viewing petroglyph sites, deep-sea fishing, cultural events such as the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival and the Kona Coffee Festival and sports events such as the Ironman Triathlon. No Big Island vacation would be complete without visiting Kailua-Kona. Just call it Kona for short and you probably know this name if you are a coffee drinker. The dark rich Kona coffee is grown in this area. Take a Kona coffee tour and bring some coffee home to friends and family as gifts. The Kona Cultural Coffee Festival is held in November and it is listed in "1000 Places to See before You Die".
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