Explore The Islands: Hawaii

The Big Island of Hawaii is one of the most fascinatingly surreal places on Earth. At twice the size of the other islands combined and with only 120,000 residents, the Big Island also offers big time excitement. At its southeast shore, the impressive Kilauea Volcano continues to append an eerie display of additional coastline. At the island's center, two majestic volcanic mountains, Mauna Kea and Moana Loa, dominate the landscape. Both summits are over 13,680 feet above sea level. Moana Loa, the world's largest volcano, is more than 32,000 feet above the ocean floor, making it taller than Mt. Everest! Mauna Kea is the largest island-based mountain in the world.

There are basically two substantial areas on the Big Island within which to lodge-the environs in and around Kailua-Kona and the Kohala Coast about 30 miles down the road, with its three major resorts-Mauna Kea, Mauna Lani and Waikoloa. Also perched slightly above the Kohala Coast is Waikoloa Village, with its array of condos and private homes. Over the other side of the island, about 40 minutes above Hilo, is Volcano Village and the sensational Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Perhaps a personal story best sums up the Big Island experience. Several years ago, I had the pleasure of bringing my mom and dad to the moonlike landscape that is on display on a vast expanse of the Big Island. As we drove from the Kona airport toward the Kohala Coast through miles of stark and foreboding lava fields, my mom turned to me and said, "Are we really spending 10 days here?" Ten days later, as our plane lifted off from Hilo airport I heard, "When are we coming back?"