10 Fun facts about the Big Island of Hawaii

I haven’t been to Hawaii before, but it is certainly on my list. This is a list of fun facts about the Big Island of Hawaii.  This famous place is somewhere on most travelers radar and for good reason. When and if you make it there is another matter entirely. One thing we can all agree on is that Hawaii contains some of the most beautiful landscapes on the planet and Big Island tours is the best way to experience them.

The big island of Hawaii has impressed me the most! It is a bit off the tourist track which is intriguing.  Big Island contains one of the world’s most active volcanoes, and it grows some of its finest coffee. That’s just a fun fact or two for you. If you’re keen on knowing more about the Big Island of Hawaii, you’ll love these tropical paradises as well.

Below, I’d like to share 10 fun facts about the Big Island that might encourage you to take the leap. The leap to jump on a plane and discover one of the best destinations on the globe…

10 fun facts about Big Island, Hawaii you probably didn’t know

1) Active volcanoes have long been a fact of life for those living not just on the Big Island Hawaii, but elsewhere in Hawaii. While it is generally accepted these days that the forces of nature are difficult if not impossible to stop, the United States armed forces had the heart to at least try back in 1935.

They scrambled their bombers in an attempt to stop a lava flow from reaching the city of Hilo. Their efforts failed, but it is certainly one of the more interesting stories that islanders with respect to their multiple encounters with Pele, the fire goddess.

2) One of the world’s most famous explorers met his untimely demise on the Big Island. In 1779, Captain James Cook got into a physical confrontation with the local population at Kealakekua Bay, which often referred to as James Cook Bay by some locals. Presently, Kealakekua Bay Is one of the big Island’s best places for snorkeling and Diving.

3) The after effects of recent volcanic activity are responsible for the numerous black sand beaches across the Hawaiian archipelago, but did you know that it has also resulted in the Big Island getting a green sand beach? One of only four of its kind in the world, it was created by thousands of years of gradual erosion of a volcanic cinder cone that contained a large quantity of olivine crystals.

4) Ran originally in Oahu, one of the most famous Ironman triathlon races in the world takes place annually on the big island of Hawaii. With a 2.4 mile open water swim in Kona Bay, 112 miles of biking across a lava flow desert, and a marathon stage that has runners run along some of the most awe-inspiring coast in the world on their way back to Kona, it is an event that endurance athletes aspire to do at least once in their life.

5) The southeast corner of the big island of Hawaii is home to Kilauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes. Erupting continuously for more than 30 years, this slow motion volcanic event has claimed over 200 buildings, including the visitor’s centre of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and an entire subdivision in the town of Kalapana. With a new vent opening up on its northeast crater 2 years ago, it is anyone’s guess where the magma is heading next.

6) When you think of the Hawaiian Islands, one generally does not think about snow and ice, but tens of thousands of years ago, ice caps topped Hawaii’s many volcanoes. Lake Waiau is the last of the meltwater lakes remaining from that era; in 2013, a prolonged drought almost caused the lake to dry up completely, but as of 2015, it has almost filled back up to historic highs.

7) Despite being much warmer in the present, Hawaii hasn’t completely left its chillier past behind. During the winter months, the lofty peaks of Mauna Kea (which stands at almost 14,000 feet above sea level) can occasionally gets so cold that they see precipitation in the form of snow. Given the massive amounts of rain that pelts its slopes every year, storms will carpet this peak with several feet of the white stuff in a single event. Some locals have boards and skis that they keep at the ready for such occasions, but don’t take your best gear “just in case”, as the sharp volcanic rocks will do a number on yours in no time flat.

8) The Hawaiian Islands are still in the process of being built; 15 miles off the southeast coast of the Big Island, an undersea volcano is forming what will be known as the island of Loihi. With two miles having risen and another mile to go, tourists can be expected to be working on their tans on its sandy shores … in another 40,000 years!

9) One of Hawaii’s best-known crops is grown on the big island. Kona coffee has gained a reputation worldwide for being one of its strongest, most distinctive coffees. Brought to the islands in the 1820’s by Samual Ruggles, these Arabica coffee seeds took to the rich volcanic soil exceptionally well, as its slightly acidic nature and copious precipitation has ensured bountiful crops for generations. With over three million pounds of brew-ready beans produced per year, it has become a favorite of java drinkers worldwide.

10) Speaking of crops that Hawaii is famous for, many associate pineapples with Hawaii, due to the many successful plantations that have been established on the Big Island and elsewhere in the archipelago. However, pineapples are not a native plant here, as they have their origins in South America. The seeds that brought forth the first of this sweet fruit in the Hawaiian Islands were brought here from continental Europe. Perhaps they need to change the name of the Hawaiian pizza to the Europa, or the Latin Americana! 😛