Hawaii Island - The island of Hawaii is a must-see destination for those who want to post their photos on social media!

Known as the Big Island.
Hawaii (island)

Hawaii is a popular resort that is visited by a very large number of Japanese.

It is one of the islands in the Pacific Ocean that form the Hawaiian Islands and is also known by the nickname "Big Island" because it is the largest of the Hawaiian Islands.

With an area of 10,432.5㎢, it is about the same size as Gifu Prefecture in Japan, and has the second largest population among the Hawaiian Islands, after Oahu, with about 150,000 residents.

 

What is the Big Island of Hawaii like?

Surrounded by five volcanoes, Hawaii Island is widely known as the "Island of Volcanoes," but only the Kilauea Mountains are still active.

There was another major eruption in May 2018, with plumes rising 9 km into the air.

Rest assured, though, that only a small portion of the area is dangerous and is far from areas that might be visited by tourists.

The east coast of the island has the highest chance of precipitation in Hawaii because of the humid trade winds that blow against the volcanoes in the central part of the island. Conversely, the west side of the island has more sunny days and drier air.

The Kona Coast and other coastal areas have a subtropical climate typical of Hawaii, but temperatures drop dramatically in the alpine areas, which are cooler.

There is even frost in the Volcano area and the Kohala Mountains, and snow on Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa during the winter months (October through March).

Hawaii Island can be said to be the island where you can feel the climatic changes of the Hawaiian Islands.

 

How to get to Hawaii Island

There are direct flights from Haneda and Narita to Kona Airport, which is located near the resort area on the Big Island of Hawaii. Flight time is approximately 7 hours and 30 minutes.

If you are coming from other airports, take a direct flight to Honolulu Airport and then transfer to a domestic flight to Kona or Hilo Airport.

 

Attractions of the Big Island of Hawaii

One of the most attractive features of the Big Island of Hawaii is Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, which was registered as a World Natural Heritage site in 1987. Kilauea Volcano, the most active volcano on earth, is located here.

Kilauea Volcano, a sacred site for Native Hawaiians, is the most popular tourist attraction in Hawaii, where visitors can witness the primitive process of earth formation and destruction.

You can also take a helicopter or Cessna to see the crater of the volcano, or trek through the crater and walk on the lava, which is difficult to do in Japan.

Also, while Hawaii is generally associated with blue or clear waters, many of the beaches on the Big Island of Hawaii are black or dark blue in color.

Because the coastal area is covered with lava, the beaches are black and the water is often a mysterious deep blue or navy blue color.

Kona coffee and macadamia nuts are also standard souvenirs from the Big Island of Hawaii.

 

Spectacular, untouched wilderness

Although the island of Hawaii is about half the size of Shikoku, it offers a wide variety of natural environments.

The area is home to 4,000-meter-high mountains, active volcanoes that are still active, canyons with waterfalls that drop 150 meters, and some of the most expansive ranches in the United States.

You are guaranteed to encounter numerous spectacular views unique to the Big Island of Hawaii.

 

A powerful volcano

Kilauea Volcano experienced a historic eruption in September 2018, but the park reopened about four months later to allow visitors to experience its spectacular nature firsthand.

The crater, which has become even larger due to the effects of the great eruption, and the lava that has flowed and hardened, allow visitors to truly feel the breath of the earth and the power of nature.

No visit to the Big Island of Hawaii would be complete without a visit to Kilauea Volcano.

 

Beautiful Beaches

The Big Island of Hawaii, which is not as touristy as Oahu, is home to many breathtakingly beautiful beaches.

The sight of crystal clear waters and blue skies alone is a luxury, but the probability of seeing sea turtles is high at Kahaluu Beach.

Hapuna Beach is one of the 10 most beautiful beaches in the United States, and Kua Bay Maniniowali Beach is one of the few beautiful white sand beaches on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Other beautiful beaches abound, including Magic Sand Beach and Kaunaoa Beach.

 

Shopping and dining are also recommended.

Although Hawaii Island is a resort island surrounded by nature, the Waikoloa area is also home to hotels, restaurants, shopping centers, and other amenities that will keep you busy all day long.

The Queen's Marketplace, a large-scale shopping center, offers a wide variety of unique stores, a large supermarket, and a food court.

As for dining, there is a wide variety of restaurants, including family restaurants that offer a wide selection of local food, hamburger stores that use fresh local ingredients, restaurants where you can dine while enjoying the great outdoors of Hawaii, and restaurants that serve delicious steaks.

 

Let's learn about culture and history.

Hawaii is the newest state, becoming the 50th U.S. state in 1959, but its history goes back more than a dozen centuries.

The ancient customs and culture of the native Hawaiians, the Christian-based culture brought by Westerners, and the history of immigrants from various countries, their cultures, and food customs, all mixed and developed to create the Hawaiian Islands of today.

You will be able to enjoy your trip to Hawaii more meaningfully if you research Hawaii's history and culture in advance.

 

Everywhere you look, the island of Hawaii looks great on social media.

Surrounded by volcanoes and the ocean, Hawaii Island is perfect in terms of social networking.

 

A popular tourist spot that must be seen on Instagram.

The Big Island of Hawaii is full of sights that are not only fun, but must be Instagrammed. Let us introduce you to some of our favorite spots.

 

Kilauea Volcano

The center of the 1,248-meter-high Kilauea volcano is the massive Kilauea Caldera, which has a circumference of about 12 km. Within it, the Halemaumau crater caved in during the 2018 eruption, drastically altering its appearance.

In addition, due to the influence of the Pacific Plate moving slowly to the northwest, a number of craters, including the Kilauea Iki Crater, line the area from the Kilauea Caldera to the southeast.

 

Insta-Points

The area offers many powerful photo opportunities, including the giant Kilauea Caldera, where Pele, the god of fire, is said to reside, the steam vents, and the Chain of Craters Road, which is a lava plateau.

There are tours that allow you to trek through the crater and the lava plateau that stretches along the coastline, as well as helicopter and boat tours that will give you the best shot at life.

 

Access

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, where Kilauea Volcano is located, is a short distance from the Kona and Hilo areas where the airport is located.

It is approximately a two-hour drive from the Kona area and approximately one hour from the Hilo area. Rental cars can be rented at the airport.

 

Mauna Kea

Mauna Kea, meaning "white mountain" in Hawaiian, is a beautiful mountain, higher than Mt.

The area near the summit is famous for its clear air and stable weather, making it a spectacular spot to view the star-filled sky.

Because of its suitability for astronomical observation, observatories from around the world, including Japan and the U.S., are lined up here.

 

Insta-Points

Mauna Kea is said to be the closest to space in the world. You will be fascinated by its beautiful star-filled sky.

From the top of the mountain, you can see the majestic sunrise and the sunset, which will give you a unique and moving experience.

Share your inspiring shots with everyone.

 

Access

The base of Mauna Kea can be reached by rental car, but the summit is not covered by insurance for rental cars due to the fragile shoulder and the danger of high winds and icy roads.

There is also a risk of getting sick at high altitudes, so be sure to join a tour that will take good care of you.

 

Rainbow Falls

Rainbow Falls is a waterfall on the Wailuku River on the east side of Hawaii Island.

At first glance, it appears to be a small waterfall, but the base of the waterfall is approximately 30 meters in diameter, and its powerful waterfall is a must-see because of Hilo's abundant rainfall.

 

Insta-Points

Water falling from a height of 24 meters drops and splashes down into the lava cave below, and on a clear day, a beautiful rainbow can be seen.

The best chance of seeing a rainbow is said to be from 9:00 to 11:00. Even if a rainbow does not appear, there is a huge banyan tree behind the falls.

It is a hole-in-the-wall spot where you can go inside the tree, sit on top, and take jacket-style photos, all of which are sufficiently interactive.

 

Access

It is a 15-minute drive from Hilo International Airport. The waterfall is located just outside the parking lot.

 

Green Sand Beach

Papakulea Beach, commonly known as Green Sand Beach, is said to be the only green sand beach in the world.

This miraculous beach was created when olivine, an olivine formed by ancient volcanic eruptions, was gradually broken up by the force of the waves.

 

Insta-Points

The green sandy beach, which is also described as olive green, is so beautiful that you want to keep looking at it.

You will get many beautiful and mysterious shots. Please note that you are not allowed to take sand from the beach home.

 

Access

From either Kona or Hilo, it is a 1.5 to 2 hour drive.

Parking is available in a vacant lot and is free of charge. It is approximately 4.3 km from the parking lot to the beach, and transportation is by cab or on foot.

 

hero

Hilo, also known as Old Town on the Big Island of Hawaii, is a town with a local flavor.

It is said that the town was founded by Japanese Americans who came to Hilo as sugar cane farmers in the old days, and Kamehameha Avenue, facing Hilo Bay, retains its old-fashioned atmosphere.

 

Insta-Points

Many of the buildings along Kamehameha Avenue are more than 100 years old and are on the National Register of Historic Places, creating a somewhat nostalgic atmosphere.

The colorful cityscape of pastel pinks, blues, and reds against the blue sky is very cute. Just taking a picture of the colorful signs will definitely look good!

 

Access

By rental car from Hilo city. From Kona Airport, via Hwy 200, about 1 hr. 30 min.

 

Activities that are sure to be Instagram-worthy

 

If simply photographing the scenery is not enough for you, why not try an activity that puts you in touch with volcanoes and the great outdoors?

More installations are sure to follow.

 

riding horse

Visitors can take a leisurely stroll on a cute horse while enjoying the magnificent nature of the Big Island of Hawaii.

There are plenty of guided tours available in Japanese, so even beginners can feel at ease.

 

Insta-Points

The tours include a course that takes you through green meadows where cows graze, the power spot Waipio Valley, and Umamauma Falls, where you can swim in a waterfall basin, and other tours that will make you look like an Insta-woman just by imagining them.

 

SUP

SUP (stand-up paddle) is a marine activity that is rapidly gaining popularity.

It is a sport that originated in Hawaii, where people stand up on surfboards on the surface of the water where there are few waves, and use oars to move forward smoothly.

Insta-Points

You can capture the beauty of the beach and nature from a high vantage point as you stand and move forward. Take your best shots and share them with everyone!

 

Lava Tour

A lava tour unique to the Big Island of Hawaii is also not to be missed.

There are many popular activities, including a national park where visitors can observe the process of formation of the Hawaiian Islands, such as crater and lava ruins, and a tour where they can see up close the steam vents rising from the crater.

 

Insta-Points

Take pictures of the red lava flowing into the ocean at the still-active Kilauea Volcano.

You can expect shots that are not only beautiful or interesting, but also powerful and mysterious in nature.

 

Segway (motorized personal vehicle)

It is a scooter for one person who rides standing up.

The Segway has no gas pedal or brake on the handlebars and is a highly safe vehicle that uses the rider's weight to adjust speed, move forward and backward, and change direction.

 

Insta-Points

Feel the breeze of the Big Island of Hawaii as you take a leisurely stroll through town or along the ocean on a Segway.

When you find a point that looks picturesque, get off the Segway and take a quick snap. It's fun to take a quick ride on a Segway and take a quick snap again.

 

helicopter tour

If you want to take pictures of the dynamic and spectacular scenery, a helicopter ride is recommended. The view below can only be seen from the sky, and is sure to be instagram-worthy.

 

Insta-Points

You can capture some powerful shots of Kilauea Volcano's crater and lava, rainbows over cliff-top waterfalls, Waipio Valley, and the Kohala Coast.

 

Recommended Tours

Here are three popular tours on the Big Island of Hawaii. All of these tours are valuable tours that can only be experienced on the Big Island of Hawaii.

 

Hawaii Island Sightseeing Tour: Kilauea Volcano, Akaka Falls, and 15 other places + B-class gourmet tour

Recommended for those who want to visit as many spots as possible in a short time.

You can efficiently tour about 15 places of interest, including Kilauea Volcano, Waipio Valley, and Akaka Falls. You can also enjoy the B-class gourmet food that locals love, such as malasadas, on this round-the-island tour of Hawaii Island.

 

Kilauea Volcano Helicopter Tour

Take a helicopter ride to enjoy the dynamic sights of Kilauea Volcano's crater and lava, rainbows over cliff-top waterfalls, Waipio Valley, and the Kohala Coast from above the Big Island of Hawaii.

Recommended for those for whom a regular tour is not enough.

 

Hawaii Island Segway Kailua-Kona Walking Tour

Enjoy a lighthearted stroll on a Segway.

You can choose from a course that coincides with the sunset, a course that gives you a taste of Hawaiian history, or a 30-minute experience course recommended for beginners.

 

summary

The Big Island of Hawaii is a vast island with a wide variety of tourist attractions.

From luxurious resorts to rustic, emotional towns, sacred Hawaiian historic sites, the birthplace of King Kamehameha the Great, and Hawaii's first church in the ancient Kailua Village.

It is truly an exquisite resort that you will want to visit again and again.