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''The Big Island''
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158,423
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4,038 mi&2 (10,458 km&2)
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1st, Largest of the Hawaiian Islands
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Mauna Kea
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The (called the '''Big Island''' or '''Hawai‘i proper''') is one of eight main islands that make up the U.S.
State Of Hawai‘i . It is said to have been named after
Hawai‘iloa , a legendary Polynesian navigator who first discovered the Hawaiian Islands. However, other accounts attribute the name to the legendary land or realm of ''
Hawaiki '', or ''Havaiki'', a place from which the Polynesians originated (see also
Manu‘a ), the place where they go in the afterlife, the realm of the Gods.
The Island of Hawai‘i is administered under the
County Of Hawai‘i . It is estimated that as of the year 2003, the island had a resident population of 158,400 persons.
The Island of Hawai‘i is built from five separate (extinct),
Mauna Kea (dormant),
Hualālai (dormant),
Mauna Loa (active, partly within
Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park ), and
Kīlauea (very active; part of
Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park ). Interpretation of geological evidence from exposures of old surfaces on the south and west flanks of Mauna Loa led to the proposal that two ancient volcanic shields (named Ninole and Kulani) were all but buried by the younger Mauna Loa (MacDonald and Abbott, 1970). Geologists now consider these "outcrops" to be part of the earlier building of Mauna Loa.
In greatest dimension, the Island is 93 miles (150 km) across and has a land area of 4,038 mi² (10,458 km²), representing 62% of the total land area of the
Hawaiian Islands . Measured from its base at the sea floor, to its highest peak, Mauna Kea is the tallest mountain in the world, even taller than Mount Everest, according to the
Guinness Book Of Records . Traditionally, Hawai‘i is known as the because it is the largest of the Hawaiian Islands and some confusion between Hawai‘i Island and Hawai‘i State can be avoided.
Because Mauna Loa and Kīlauea are active volcanoes, the island of Hawai‘i is still growing. Between January 1983 and September 2002, 2.2 km² (543 ac) of land were added to the island by (1990), and
Kaimū (1990).
Hawai‘i is the southernmost island in the Hawaiian archipelago. The nearest landfall to the south would be in the
Line Islands . To the north is the island of
Maui , where East Maui Volcano (
Haleakalā ) is visible across the
‘Alenuihāhā Channel (see photo at left).
18 miles (29 kilometers) off Hawai‘i Island's southeast coast is the undersea volcano known as
Lo‘ihi . Lo‘ihi is an actively erupting seamount that lies 3,200 feet (975 meters) below the surface of the ocean. It is thought that continued volcanic activity from Lo‘ihi will cause the volcano to eventually breach sea level and later attach at the surface onto Kīlauea, adding even more land to Hawai‘i's surface area. This "event" is presently predicted for a date several tens of thousands of years in the future.
Sugarcane was the backbone of Hawai‘i Island's
Economy for more than a century. In the mid-twentieth century, sugar plantations began to downsize and by
1996 , the last sugar cane plantation had closed down.
Today, most of Hawai‘i Island's economy is based on
Tourism , centered primarily on the leeward (''kona'') or western coast of the island in the North Kona and South Kohala districts. However, diversified
Agriculture is a growing sector of the economy of the island.
Macadamia Nuts ,
Papaya ,
Flowers ,
Tropical and
Temperate Vegetables , and
Coffee are all important crops. In fact, because of Hawai‘i Island's reputation for growing beautiful
Orchids , the island has the nickname "The Orchid Isle."
Cattle ranching is also important. The Big Island is home to one of the largest cattle ranches in the United States, Parker Ranch, which is situated on 175,000 acres in the Waimea valley.
Hilo , with a population of 40,759 as of the
2000 Census , is the largest city on Hawai‘i Island and the second largest city in the state. Hilo is also the county seat for Hawai‘i County. Hilo is where the
University Of Hawaii, Hilo Campus is located.
Kailua-Kona (pop. 9,870) is the second largest city on Hawai‘i Island, and is the gateway to most of the Big Island's hotels.
- MacDonald, G. A., and A. T. Abbott. 1970. ''Volcanoes in the Sea''. Univ. of Hawai‘i Press, Honolulu. 441 pages.
