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The Big Island – Yours To Explore
The Island of Hawaii is the largest island in the Hawaiian chain, with an area twice as big as all the other Hawaiian Islands
combined, and is consequently known as “The Big Island.” It is as diverse as it is large, with astonishingly unique
natural wonders.
Embark On An Adventure At Our Big Island Hotel
Located along the Kohala Coast, our
impressive Big Island hotel
is the perfect gateway to exploring the island. Discover Mauna Loa, the world's largest active volcano. Kilauea volcano, on Mauna
Loa's southern flank, has been continuously erupting since 1983 and every day makes the Big Island even bigger. Hilton
Waikoloa Village is located at the base of Mauna Kea, whose summit reaches to 13,796 feet. Visit the many museums in
the area. Immerse yourself in the culture and traditions of the island. Begin an unforgettable adventure – just steps away
from our stunning Big Island Hawaii hotel.
Learn more about the Available Activities at our Big Island Resort.
Highlights, Facts and Figures
Before you leave home, take a moment to become familiar with our island home. A brief review of the
history, climate and rare natural features of the Big Island offer a taste of what is to come.
Climate - Scenic attractions include rainforests, waterfalls, tropical beaches of white, green
and black sand, snow-capped peaks, rolling mist-shrouded pastures, and vast fields of lava. The climate
varies as widely as the landscape, ranging from the balmy mid-80s at sea level to below-freezing
temperatures at the summit of 13,796-foot Mauna Kea, the tallest mountain in the world (measuring from
its base on the ocean floor).
Flora & Fauna - Hawaii is known throughout the world for its richly flavored Kona coffee and
delicately beautiful orchids, and is the state's largest producer of papayas, avocados, macadamia nuts
and anthuriums. Here, too, are about 1,660 species of flowering plants and 45 species of birds found
nowhere else on the planet, making Hawaii a paradise for botanists and ornithologists. The summit of
Mauna Kea offers astronomers some of the best viewing conditions on earth. Several of the world's most
powerful telescopes have been built there by the U.S. , French, Canadian, Japanese, and British governments.
Activities - Ocean activities abound, including swimming, skiing, deep-sea fishing, windsurfing,
sailing, snorkeling and scuba diving. Those who prefer land-based diversions can enjoy sight-seeing,
hiking, horseback riding, hunting, tennis, or golf on one of several championship courses.
For more information, call the Discovering Hawaii Tours Desk at Hilton Waikoloa Village by
dialing (808) 886-1234, extension 51.
History - The Island of Hawaii was the home of Kamehameha the Great, the warrior chief who
unified the islands and gave the name "Hawaii" to the resulting kingdom. Rich in legend, many historical
sites have been respectfully preserved, including Hulihee Palace in Kailua-Kona, Pu'uhonua O' Honaunau
(Place of Refuge) in South Kona, and Pu'ukohola Heiau near Kawaihae.
A Healing Island - With such a diversity of natural wonders and activities, an ideal climate,
world-class accommodations, and islanders imbued with the aloha spirit, the Big Island of Hawaii is
truly an exceptional place - the Island Jewel of the Pacific. This uniqueness has attracted many in
pursuit of better health and well-being. The Big Island is becoming known as the Healing Island,
leading the world in the use of medical and scientific therapies in conjunction with ancient traditions.
Click here to visit our Kohala
Spa, where Hawaiian healing techniques are combined with today's health advancements.
Snow in Paradise - Snow skiing in Hawaii? Yes! The Big Island summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa
are Hawaii's version of winter wonderlands. Only here can visitors ski powdered winter snow in the morning,
snorkel over radiant coral reefs in the afternoon, then relax over a seaside gourmet meal as one of
Waikoloa's celebrated sunsets signals the end of the day. Any sign of new powder finds enthusiasts up early
for the windy drive up Mauna Kea and down popular ski runs like the Ono Trail, King Kamehameha's Run and
Goddess of Fire Pele's Parlor. Also of interest are the mountaintop observatories that house some of the
world's most sophisticated telescopes.
Deep Sea Sportfishing - The idyllic waters off Kailua-Kona are unsurpassed for deep-sea fishing.
One visit to nearby Honokohau Harbor lets you know you're in Big Marlin Country. Many of the local charter
vessels accounts of their record breaking catches, which are easily verified by the many trophies displayed
in the harbor and nearby Kona Town. The annual jackpot billfish tournaments held here attract anglers from
all around the world who vie for the thrill of a landing a world record, and the chance to win a championship
purse. For the less experienced fisherman, the local captains and crews have stocked their craft with everything
needed to land a big one. Even non-experts have a chance at an elusive giant Blue Marlin.
For more information, call the Discovering Hawaii Tours Desk at Hilton Waikoloa Village at (808)
886-1234, extension 51.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park - This is the Big Island's number-one attraction as well as an
international center for the study of volcanism. Always popular, the park can overflow with visitors when
volcanic flows from Kilauea, the world's most active volcano, erupting continuously since 1983, come within
a short hike of the road. The park is a spectacular showcase of millions of years of volcanic activity -
with steaming vents, craters, cinder cones, hardened fields of lava, lava tubes (caves), "tree molds"
embedded in hardened lava, and towering clouds of steam whenever lava is flowing into the ocean. The lava
flows from a "hot spot" deep within the earth that was also responsible for the creation of the other
Hawaiian Islands that have since drifted northwest on a tectonic plate. A new volcano, christened Loihi,
is currently growing beneath the sea southeast of the Big Island and is expected to break the surface and
become Hawaii's newest island in several thousand years. The park's many attractions include Halemaumau,
Devastation Trail, Kilauea Iki, and the Thurston Lava Tube. "
Halemaumau - This fire pit lies within the Kilauea Caldera. It is considered to be the home of
Hawaii's volcano goddess, Madame Pele. A short walk off Crater Rim Drive.
Devastation Trail - The trail passes through an area devastated by a prolonged shower of hot cinders
from the 1959 eruption of Kilauea Iki. Bleached white tree trunks dot the landscape and lend it a spare beauty.
Today life has returned to parts of the trail as trees and shrubs fight to re-establish themselves in the once
barren landscape. The trail can be accessed from Crater Rim Drive at two places - the Devastation Trail parking
lot and the Puu Puai parking lot.
Tip: Those traveling in groups can choose a designated driver to pick them up at the other end after an
easy 20 minute hike over the length of the trail.
Kilauea Iki - "Iki" means "little" in Hawaiian, but during past eruptions, this little crater has done
big damage to nearby native ohia forests. Off Crater Rim Drive in the national park. A hike into the crater
(from the parking lot at the overlook just across the road from Thurston Lava Tube) leads through a lush forest,
alive with the songs of endangered Hawaiian honeycreepers, to a stark crater floor that is home both to steaming
vents and scattered bushes tenaciously re-establishing a foothold for life.
Thurston Lava Tube - A huge cave formed as the top of a large lava flow cooled more quickly than its
contents, which eventually ran out, creating the subterranean void. Today, Thurston Lava Tube's dark interior
is illuminated. Follow the trail clearly marked on Crater Rim Drive.
Tip: Namesake Lorrin Thurston was also one of the engineers of the 1893 overthrow of Hawaii's last
monarch, Queen Liliuokalani.
Savor the Thrill Of Our Big Island Hawaii Hotel
Immerse yourself in island culture and tradition at Hilton Waikoloa Village - a truly inspired destination, offering an
authentic Hawaiian experience in an unforgettable oceanfront setting. Book your exceptional Big Island hotel reservations online for Our
Best Rates Guaranteed. |
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