Big Island Family Vacations

Twice the combined size of the other islands, the Hawaii Island, nicknamed "Big Island," is a giant among spectacular tropical islands -- and not just because of its size. At a youthful one million years of age, this beautiful island is a tropical wonderland, laced with exciting sights that include dolphins, colored beaches, an active volcano and a plethora of dazzling family resorts. Most exciting of all? Big Island simply doesn't receive the foot traffic that Oahu and Maui experience, which leaves Big Island fans heartily welcomed by laid-back locals who are eager to share their Aloha Spirit with visitors who respect and admire this incredible micro-world as much as they do.

It would be a mistake to conclude that Big Island is simply the island with the volcanoes. Sure, it has volcanoes -- five of them, to be exact -- but it also boasts tropical rain forests, coffee farms, cattle ranches, observatories, historical sites where the Great King Kamehameha resided, breathtakingly beautiful golf courses, day-spas and fabulous eateries galore.

Surfing, snorkeling, hiking and scuba-diving are Big Island's main sports, but never to be overlooked is the world-famous Ford Ironman Triathlon World Championship, which comes to you from Big Island every October. The greatest triathletes from around the world compete in a 2.4-mile ocean swim, followed by a 112-mile bike race and a 26.2-mile marathon. Easy-peasy, you say? Then you want the Ultraman contest, where the athletic miles soar into the stratosphere with a 6.2 mile ocean swim, a 251.4-mile bike ride and a 52.3-mile run. (We're in need of a chaise-lounge nap from just writing about these two events.)

Big Island's rich history reaches far back in time to between A.D. 300 and A.D. 500, when it was first discovered. A little too far back for you? The more recent past is absorbing, as well. Before King Kamehameha the Great was born somewhere between 1740 and 1758, the islands were dominated by chiefs competing for control. The young king worked for more than 20 years to take command of all of the Hawaiian Islands. Once he unified all of the islands under his rule, the entire island chain became known as Hawaii, since that was the island of his origin.

Even today, you can visit the birthing stones upon which King Kamehameha the Great was born and gaze upon Ahuena Heiau, the temple adjacent to the hale (house) where he died. He ruled from several island command posts but ended his reign on Big Island and died at Kailua in the district of Kona. Learning more about this great Hawaiian warrior -- his favorite wife was Queen Kaahumanu, and the last queen to rule the isle was Queen Liliuokalani -- will greatly add to your appreciation of the culture and the island.

As far as the layout of Big Island, Hilo sits on its eastern coast and is home to gorgeous forests and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park -- the only World Heritage Site in the entire state. Kona, on the western coast, is more dry with lots of sun and sand, but it still gets some rain. The Kona Coast is sprinkled with small and fun-to-explore towns like Captain Cook. The Kohala Coast is at the northern end of the island, receives very little rain and is where the most luxurious resorts, golf courses and spas are located. Mountains compose the entire island and are visible from nearly every angle.