The Big Island

You know many people think Hawaii is one big place so you can go to one island and know how the others will look and feel.
You could not be more wrong... with the exception that they are all surrounded by water!

Each Hawaiian island is uniquely different from the rest. They have different foliage, weather, animal life, atmosphere, water movement, people, culture, look and feel. This is what makes Hawaii so incredible; you can island hop and have a completely different experience just 30 minutes of flight time away!

The Big island, named Hawaii, is amazingly beautiful and still raw with the activity of Kilauea, it's active volcano. The national park has lava tubes that you can walk through! The largest of all the Hawaiian islands and the youngest has miles and miles of beautiful driving available to all.

Although the majority of hotels and resorts are found on the Kona side of the island, it is well worth the drive to visit Hilo.
You can make an entire day of visiting the volcano and then driving to Hilo. See where many of the locals live and have lunch at a local restaurant. They won't look like any restaurant in your Kona resorts but the local flavor is delicious and inexpensive!
Make sure to go to Big island candies, (one of my favorite cookie companies); address 585 Hinano Street Hilo, HI 96720. You can get samples of their cookies and coffee and even watch the great workers that create these goodies. Make sure to think of souvenirs here, they can ship them home for you! Head over to Rainbow Falls; the waterfall is right in Hilo and has a parking lot to make it easy!

Make sure to stop by Hilo Homemade ice cream on Waianuenue Avenue for some macadamia nut ice cream! Make sure you stop by Akaka Falls before heading back to your hotel!