Hawaii - The Big Island - Photos

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Big Island. It is home to the most active volcano in the world,

The island of Hawai'i comprises over half of the area of the state of Hawaii in the United States of America. To avoid confusion with the state, it is almost universally called the Big Island. It is home to the most active volcano in the world, located in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, as well as the largest mountain in the world in volume (Mauna Loa) and the tallest mountain in the world as measured from its base on the sea floor to its peak (Mauna Kea).

* East Hawaii - Windward side of the island, more precipitation.
* West Hawaii - Leeward side of the island, less precipitation, more ocean based attractions.
* Kohala - the North Part of the Island.
o Hamakua - East side of the island North of Hilo
* Puna - East side of the island South of Hilo
* Ka'u - the South part of the Island.

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Waipio valley

It was the location of the ancient grass palace of the ancient kings of Hawaii

Hawaii The Big Island Trailblazer: Where to hike, snorkel, surf, bike, drive

Indispensable Active Travelers Guide

Hawaii The Big Island Trailblazer: Where to hike, snorkel, surf, bike, drive

Amazon Price: $13.79 (as of 05/26/2012)Buy Now

156 hikes and strolls: the peaks of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, the shores of Waipio Valley and Kealakekua Bay, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, rain forests and tropical gardens, waterfalls, petroglyph fields, and the Kona Coast
75 snorkeling and swimming spots including remote hike-to specials
39 surfing spots: boards, bodyboarding, and body surfing
24 bike trails for adventure cyclists: mountain, coastal, forest, pasture
25 campgrounds and rustic cabin hideaways

Lava flow from Pu'u O'o Vent -Kilauea Volcano-Big Island Hawaii

Laupahoehoe Point



cc licensed ( BY ) flickr photo shared by eye of einstein




Category: File - :Hawaii-Big-Island-TF.jpg|thumb|right|Aerial view, 3D computer generated image

The Island of Hawaii,According to the Geographic Names Information System, Island of Hawaii is the preferred name, see . also called the Big Island or Hawaii Island (; Hawaiian: or ), is a volcanic island (the eastern-most and southern-most in the Hawaiian islands chain) in the North Pacific Ocean. With an area of 4,028 square miles (10,432 km²), it is larger than all of the other Hawaiian Islands combined and is the largest island in the United States.

The Island of Hawaii is administered as the County of Hawaii within the state of Hawaii. The county seat is Hilo.

Traditionally, Hawaii is known as the "Big Island" to reduce confusion between Hawaii Island and the state.


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Taken in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, circa May 2003




Hawaii Volcanoes National Park  



 






 


Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, established in 1916, is a United States National Park located in the U.S. State of Hawaii on the island of Hawaii. It encompasses two active volcanoes: K?lauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes, and Mauna Loa, the world's most massive volcano. The park gives scientists insight into the birth of the Hawaiian Islands and ongoing studies into the processes of vulcanism. For visitors, the park offers dramatic volcanic landscapes as well as glimpses of rare flora and fauna.


In recognition of its outstanding natural values, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park was designated as an International Biosphere Reserve in 1980 and a World Heritage Site in 1987. In 2000 the name was changed by the Hawaiian National Park Language Correction Act of 2000 observing the Hawaiian spelling.Hawaiian National Park Language Correction Act of 2000 (S.939)



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Pele: Goddess of Hawaii's Volcanoes [Paperback]

Pele: Goddess of Hawaii's Volcanoes [Paperback]

From off the coast of the big island of Hawaii

In total there are 12 telescopes at or around the summit of Mauna Kea


The altitude and isolation in the middle of the Pacific Ocean makes Mauna Kea one of the best locations on earth for ground-based astronomy. It is an ideal location for submillimeter, infrared and optical observations.



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cc licensed ( BY ) flickr photo shared by eye of einstein



 



Mauna Kea, A Guide To Hawaii's Sacred Mountain [Paperback]

Mauna Kea, A Guide To Hawaii's Sacred Mountain [Paperback]

Waipio Valley




Waipio Valley is a valley located in the Hamakua District of the Big Island of Hawaii. "Waipio" means "curved water" in the Hawaiian language.lookup of Waipio on Hawaiian place names web site

It was the capital and permanent residence of many early Hawaiian alii (kings) up until the time of King Umi. A place celebrated for its nioi tree (Eugenia reinwardtiana) known as the "Nioi wela o Paakalana" (The burning Nioi of Paakalana). It was the location of the ancient grass palace of the ancient kings of Hawaii with the nioi stands. Kahekili II raided Waipio in the 18th century and burned the four sacred trees to the ground.

Located at coordinates , the valley floor at sea level is almost below the surrounding terrain. A steep road leads down into the valley from a lookout point located on the top of the southern wall of the valley. The road gains 800 vertical feet (243.84 m) in 0.6 miles (0.9 km) at a 25% average grade, with steeper grades in sections. This is a paved public road but it is open only to 4 wheel drive vehicles. If classified as a road, it would be the steepest road of its length in the United States Summerson, J: "The Complete Guide to Climbing (by Bike)", page 165. Extreme Press, 2007 and possibly the world. The shore line in the valley is a black sand beach, popular with surfers. A few taro farms are located in the valley.

Several large waterfalls fall into the valley to feed the river which flows from the foot of the largest falls at the back of the valley out to the ocean.History of the Waipio Valley

The valley was the site of the final scene in the 1995 sci-fi film Waterworld, at which the main characters found dry land.Waipio Valley | Hawaii Travel Guide


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