Island of Hawaii (Big Island)
The youngest island in the Hawaiian archipelago (a mere half-million years old), Hawaii Island is still growing thanks to an energetic volcano. Because it is larger than all the other islands combined, Hawai’i island has been nick-named “The Big Island.”
Polynesian voyagers from Tahiti and the Marquesas Islands are believed to have first made landfall on the island of Hawai’i. Hawai’i Island was also the home of Pai’ea Kamehameha, also known as Kamehameha the Great, who was the first warrior to bring together the Hawaiian Islands under one rule. Hawai’i Island is also the storied home of the legendary goddess of the volcano, Pele. No wonder Hawaii Island is host to the preeminent annual hula festival in the world. The arts, cultural traditions and celebrations of the Hawaiian history and culture all thrive here on Hawai’i Island.
