Hawaiʻi Island
Hawaiʻi Island (also the Big Island) is the largest Hawaiian island, known for carved volcanoes like Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, diverse landscapes and active lava flows.
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Geography
| Address | Hawaiʻi Island, HI, USAHawaiʻi Island |
|---|---|
| Continent | North America |
| Region | Polynesia |
| Subregion | Central Pacific |
| Country | United States |
| State | Hawaiʻi |
| County | Hawaiʻi County |
| District | Hawaiʻi Island |
| City | Hawaiʻi Island |
| Neighborhood | Hawaiʻi Island |
| Postal Code | HPUA 1 |
| Timezone | PacificHonolulu |
| Latitude | 19.5 |
| Longitude | -155.5 |
| Maps |
4:14 PM LOCAL TIMEHawaiʻi Island, commonly called the Big Island, is the largest and youngest of the Hawaiian Islands, formed by the merged output of several massive volcanoes. Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa dominate the island's interior — the former a sacred astronomical site and the latter one of the world’s most voluminous shields — while Kīlauea is an active eruption zone within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The island’s climate varies dramatically with elevation and rain shadow effects, from lush rainforests and waterfalls along the windward coasts to dry, moonscape plains and black-sand beaches on the leeward side. Visitors come to Hilo for waterfalls and tropical forests, and to Kona for dry coastal resorts and diving; all regions offer hiking, stargazing, and cultural sites. Trails lead to crater rims, mountain summits, and ocean overlooks, and guided tours can showcase lava flows, night sky astronomy, and local arts — but many of the island’s most famous sites require early start times and careful planning due to popularity and variable weather.
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