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 About- Hawaii i (The Big Island):

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            Contact Us  Printable Packing List | Climate | Destinations | Events | Food | Foreign Visitors | History | Language  | Lodging | Money | Parks | Recreation| Resorts | Seasons | Stortes | Tours | Travel |  Load Thumbnails  | TIPS  | Warnings! | 

The "Big Island", Hawaii is the largest of the Islands called by the same name.  If you buy a ticket to Hawaii, you will end up on the island of Oahu.  Pearl Harbor is also on Oahu.  Hawaii is a generic term for all of the islands called the Hawaiian Islands including the "Big Island" of Hawaii.  There are other naming conventions for towns that are also confusing.  "The "Main Island"  is the largest of the group and is larger than all of the other islands combined.  The highway that circles the big island is about 200 miles and can easily consume a full day of travel with a few stops.  The "Big Island" Hawaii which we will refer to by that name from here on is very diverse with two main volcano's that form peaks at about 4200 feet. They are "Mauna Loa" in the south and "Mauna Kea" in the center of the island.

Climate-   The Hawaiian "season" is about time of the year more than weather.  The weather is usually good year round.  The climate is sub-tropical, cooled by Bering Sea waters that drift south, making it about 10 degrees cooler than other places this latitude most of the year.  In mid-winter there are a few days in the mid-60's, and in midsummer, you can have some humid days in the 80's.  August is the most humid month.  Make sure your room has cross-ventilation to allow the cool ocean breezes to come through.  The average temperature is 75 +/- 7 degrees.  As for rain, you will find the eastern side of the islands with high mountains have the most clouds and rainfall.  Winter is the worst for rain...anytime from late September to March. However, most showers are brief and seldom heavy.  Moisture laden warm air, usually traveling from west to east, moves up the western slopes of these two mountains condenses and turns the eastern side of the island into a rain forest.  The eastern side of the island has significantly more rainfall and clouds than the west side.  If you want to see what Hawaii (the island) is famous for, "sunshine and beaches", we recommend the West side of the island.  However, the rain forest on the eastern slopes is beautiful and well worth a visit.  Hilo, on the eastern side, is the largest city on the island. Hawaii is not the most populated island however, that's Oahu.  It is the largest and most diverse of the islands! 

Destinations-(Your Resort and Lodging map link could be here!) Also see Lodging and Resorts!  

Events- January- Cherry Blossom Festival.  A Japanese cultural event and trade show.  Includes pageant , tea ceremonies, flower arrangements, coronation ball, and more.  February- Narcissus Festival.  Cultural Chinese New Year celebration,  lantern parades, fashion shows, flower arrangements, banquets, garden tours.  Dancing in the streets and the crowning of the Narcissus Festival Queen. March-  Japanese Girls' Day.  Girls are presented with a doll on the first March 3 after their birth and each March 3 thereafter.  Public display of dolls usually in large Japanese department stores. Prince Kuhio Day-  Hawaii's "people's prince", first delegate to Congress is honored.  March 26th ceremonies are at the Prince Kuhio Federal Building.  At kuhio Beach in Waikiki, a memorial is decorated with leis. April-  Easter Sunrise Service at Punchbowl Cemetery is a wonderful Ohau tradition.  May-  Lei Day, May 1st,  wear the lei day.  Contests for the most beautiful leis (judging at Kapiolani Park)  Japanese Boys' Day.  May 5th, flying brightly colored paper and fabric carp.  Buddha Day.  Flower festival pageants at island temples throughout the islands.  May 7. June- Kamehameha Day honors the first king of Hawaii.  Floral parade including floral floats, pageantry, bands, etc.  Festival is in Honolulu at Kapiolani park on June 11.  July-  Prince Lot Hula Festival-  third week in July - locals perform ancient and modern hulas.  At Moanalau gardens in Honolulu.  Bon Odori Festival.  Colorful dances are done to welcome the arrival of departed souls in Paradise.  Very intricate dance sponsored by Japanese temples.  Usually in late July but no firm date.  September-  Aloha Week celebrates lots of different ethnic groups in one.  Sometimes last several weeks since they take place on different islands in progression. Music, dancing, arts and crafts, orchid show, water sports,  parades, pageants.  Check with the Hawaii Visitors Center for exact dates of Aloha Week celebrations.  Mid-September to mid-October.  December- Bodhi Day. Buddha religious observance.   Japanese dancing ceremonies. On the nearest Sunday to December 7.  Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop's Birthday.  Dec. 19. Christmas.  Still December 25th,  leave the snow and wear a hula skirt.  The Hawaiian Christmas greeting is:  "Mele Kalikimaka!"

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Food-  If you want to experience Hawaiian food you must attend a luau.  Most luau's are serve-yourself buffet style with plastic cutlery, but the correct way to eat poi is with the fingers.  Island foods include poi, kalua pig (pig steamed in an underground pit, or imu), laulau ( leaves filled with pork, fish, bananas, sweet potatoes, and taro shoots.  Other foods include sweet potatoes, chicken with coconut milk and many others.  The local food is quite rich and not for the weight watcher.  You will find many influences of the Japanese culture in the Hawaiian foods.  

Foreign Visitors-  Foreigners entering the United States must carry two documents: A valid Passport, expiring not less than 6 months prior to the scheduled end of their visit to the U.S.; and a tourist visa obtainable at any American consulate at no charge. Anyone applying for an immigrant's visa must obtain a screening test for the AIDS-HIV virus.  This test does not apply to tourists.  Any visitor with a medical condition that requires treatment with narcotics or with paraphernalia must carry a valid, signed prescription from their doctor.  Travel insurance is optional in the US but required by most car rental companies.  See our link on money conversion for foreign guests.

History- The Hawaiian Islands were settled between 500 to 700 AD by Polynesians from around the area of Tahiti.  Capt. James Cook looking for the Northwest Passage, came upon the islands in 1777.  It is believed that He landed on the island of Kauai.  Missionaries from New England arrived in 1820.  When the whaling trade dropped off in the 1850's Asians began to arrive to work the sugar plantations.  The 1900's saw a boom in the pineapple industry in Hawaii.   Pineapple and sugar are still thriving in Hawaii.  Nearly 7 million tourists arrive annually.  

Language-  Most people speak English in Hawaii.  The language, originally Polynesian, had no written words until missionaries translated it to teach the Bible.  There are 12 letters in the alphabet: five vowels and seven consonants: h,k.l,m.n.p, and w.  Syllables end in a vowel and every vowel is pronounced no matter how many vowels there are in the word.  The accent is generally on the next to the last syllable like it is in Spanish.  Consonants get English sounds, but vowels get the Latin treatment.  Exceptions :  When a w proceeds the last vowel it is given a v sound.  The word Hawaii  (ha-wye-ee) should be called (ha-vye-ee).  The following words will give you a good idea of what to expect:

English            Hawaiian                Pronouncation

eat                    ai                                (eye)

road                ala                               (al-lah)

no                    aole                            (ah-oh-lay)

relax                holoholo                    (ho-low-ho-low)

the                    ka                                (kah)

food                kaukau                        (cow-cow)

sea                    kai                            (kye)

hurry                wikiwiki                    (wee-kee-wee-kee)

thank you        mahalo                        (mah-hah-low)

Check the local tourist office for a complete list of Hawaiian words.

Lodging -(map link to your Hotel and Motel)  Also see Destinations and Resorts!

Money-  US Currency - Currency conversion from: www.oanda.com/convert/cheatsheet

Parks-  (State Parks On Hawaii (big Island) Search),  Hawaii Volcanoes National Park...Kilauea Caldera

Recreation-  Sailing, swim, scuba, snorkel, wind surf, kayaking, bike, beach comb, fishing, tours, romance, relax and enjoy! There are some rental spots in Hilo but unless you are with a tour group bring your own gear.  

Resorts-  (Maps and links to your Resort or destination area here!) Also see Destinations and Lodging!

Seasons-  See events list.  The summer months are the tourist season, however, temperatures are warm year around and a visit during the winter months can be a great way to save money on fares and amenities.

Stores-  (Links and maps to your Store or Web Site)

Tours-  Not too much in the way of public transportation here.  Only the city of Hilo on the "Big Island" of Hawaii has much of a bus system.  It does cover the island from east to west.  There is some bus service in Maui but they generally don't cover much area.  The two choices are taking a sightseeing tour or renting a car.  Flight-seeing is available but expensive and not very rewarding.  We recommend renting a car.  Traveling during the off season will also help with car rental prices.  Be aware and ask about hidden charges, including drop-off, delivery, young drivers, and  insurance.  Hawaii is a no-fault insurance state and requires that you settle up before leaving.  If you have insurance that covers a rental car be sure to take you insurance card and get the company number in Hawaii before you leave.  It is generally easier to pick a car up at the airport and avoid hotel delivery cost and bus or cab fare.  If you are under 21 you will have trouble renting a car in Hawaii.  State law prevents anyone using an out of state drivers license if you are under 18.   Persons 21-25 may pay a surcharge and have a major credit card.   If you are 25 or above just fill out the forms.  If you are going to visit several main islands pick a car rental company that has service on all of them.  Further tip:  Most major Gold credit card offer rental car insurance when you pay for the car with their card!  Check out if the hotel has a car rental package that is available on other islands too.  You may consider booking your trips to the other islands once you arrive.  many overnighter packages are available, which include round-trip airfare with room and rental car.  Many of these deals can only be booked from the islands, because the companies are usually forbidden from advertising them outside the state.  They are mainly for the locals.  Check these out when you arrive!

Travel- Use a travel agent only if you really believe they will do the ground work to find you the lowest fare.  Doing your own airfare shopping  will usually save you a bunch.  Try not to arrive in Hawaii on a weekend,  Honolulu is especially crowded with visitors from the other islands.  Airfares are usually lower and  hotel check-in and travel is easier during the week.  Less expensive fares are available by paying in advance for the ticket (usually 3 weeks, 2 weeks , and a 1 week advance rate applies. Travel during the week if possible, and travel during the fall or off-season rather than during the holidays or peak winter vacation months.  Remember to ask for the lowest fare, not just a discount rate, special deals, or packages when shopping for travel.  Keeping checking with the airline, they may open low cost seating as the departure date gets closer.

Tips-     Don't arrive in Hawaii on the weekend.  Honolulu is crowded with visitors from abroad and outer islands.  Plan your trip during the week.  Air Fares are usually lower during the week too.  Packing tips:  Pack light.  Take a sweater or hooded parka for mountain treks.  Buy specialty clothes on the island as needed,  for example rain-gear or umbrella.  Take one suitcase and one carry on unless you just like being burdened  with baggage. If you are going to visit other islands check with local travel or the airlines for the current deal on air-hops to islands that include a car.  Many of these deals can only be booked on the islands and are mainly for locals.  Some hotels give 25-50% discounts to military personnel and family. The telephone area code for all of Hawaii is 808.  Check with the hotel to see if a surcharge is added to your telephone use,  if so, use the telephone in the lobby.  Dial 911 for emergencies.  Service tips in restaurants are 15 - 20 %, baggage handlers will expect $.50 to $1. for each piece of luggage.  ( Save money and carry your own.)  Room service should get $1.00 per night.   Standard American electrical voltage is used e.g.. 110vac 60 hertz.  It is preferable to refer to residents as Islanders instead of Hawaiians unless they are of Hawaiian decent.  Many Americans on the island are of Japanese decent.  Please refrain from calling these people "Japs".  If you have any question of their patriotism take a look at the war record of the 442nd Regimental combat Team, mostly nisei volunteers...one of the most decorated units in military history.  One of the veterans from this group is the late Senator Daniel K. Inouye.  

Warnings-  Sneaker waves  and rip tides are always possible in the Pacific.  Rolling logs in the surf are seldom but possible.  Coral poisoning and other marine hazards may be present.  Water shoes are recommended.

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