Hawaii (island)

Hawaiʻi island

The Island of Hawaiʻi is the largest U.S. Hawaiian Island, and it is the farthest south. It is also called the "Big Island." Its area is 4,038 sq. miles (10,458 km2). The widest part of the island is 93 miles (150 km) across. The Big Island has more than half (~62%) of the total land area of State of Hawaii. It is part of County of Hawaii.

The island is seven separate shield volcanos that erupted more or less one at a time, one partly covering the other. These are (from oldest to youngest): Kohala (extinct), Mauna Kea (dormant), Hualalai (dormant), Mauna Loa (active), Kulani (extinct, mostly buried), and Kilauea (very active). The volcanos were caused by the Pacific oceanic tectonic plate moving over a hotspot. There lava from the Earth's lower mantle or upper core is close to the surface.

The largest city on the island is Hilo. Hilo has many historic buildings, interesting shops, parks, many performances, festivals and events. It is on the rainy, east side of the island. The city of Kailua-Kona is on the dry, west side of Hawaii, and is popular with tourists.

Hawaii (island) Media

Ahu A Umi Heiau.jpg

The Ahu-a-ʻUmi Heiau, built for ʻUmi-a-Līloa in the Kona District
Governor Kuakini visiting the Wilhelmina and Maria at Kealakekua Bay, Hawaii.jpg

Hawaiian and European ships in Kealakekua Bay in 1829
Hawaii-Big-Island-TF.jpg

Aerial view, 3D computer-generated image
Location Hawaii Volcanoes.svg

Map showing relationship of the volcanoes that form the island of Hawai'i—the Big Island.
Three Waikupanaha and one Ki lava ocean entries w-edit2.jpg

Steam plume as Kīlauea's red lava enters the ocean. Three Waikupanaha and one Ki lava ocean entries.
Lava enering ocean5n.jpg

Lava entering the Pacific Ocean at [[Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park]] in April 2005, ever increasing the size of the island
Punaluu Black Sand Beach Park.JPG

Punaluʻu Beach Park]], one of the most famous black sanded beaches
Magic Sands (Laaloa Bay) Hawaii Christmas.jpg

[[Laʻaloa Bay]], also known as "Magic Sands", located in Kailua-Kona
Anaeho'omalu Panorama.JPG

Anaehoʻomalu Beach panorama
Mobile atmospheric volcanic fog (vog) measuring station in Hawaiʻi

References

MacDonald, G. A., and A. T. Abbott. 1970. Volcanoes in the Sea. Univ. of Hawaii Press, Honolulu. 441 p.
History and culture of Hilo. (2010). Retrieved from http://www.hiloliving.com/Hilo_Culture.html