| The third in our four-part series of Hawaii | | | | Kona coast. |
| vacations covers the "Big Island", as the island of | | | | This area is known as the marlin capital of the |
| Hawaii is most often referred to. | | | | world. Big game fish, including giant blue marlin and |
| As the natives (and longtime residents) like to | | | | other Pacific billfish, tuna and swordfish are |
| say, there are only two seasons on the Big Island | | | | abundant in the waters off the coast. Hundreds of |
| Hawaii: "summer," between May and October, and | | | | charter fishing boats operate out of the |
| "winter," from October to April. The weather | | | | Kailua-Kona area where you can charter a boat |
| varies dramatically, though,--in terms of | | | | with friends or join one of the daily shared |
| precipitation--from west to east. Hilo, on the east, | | | | charters. |
| or | | | | The highest point on the isand is Mauna Kea, at |
| "wet" side of Big Island, is the wettest city in the | | | | 13,796 feet above sea level. Both the neighboring |
| United States. | | | | Maunu Loa and Mauau Kea and have some of the |
| Big Island Hawaii's "Kona" coast, (the dry west | | | | clearest air in the world. As a result, more than |
| side), is the most popular destination. It offers | | | | two dozen of the world's finest telescopes are |
| accommodations and activities catering to the | | | | located there. Tours of the University of Hawaii |
| pure pursuit of FUN! Snorkeling, diving, kayaking | | | | Telescope are available every weekend. |
| and deep-sea fishing being the most popular. | | | | There are many beaches on the Big Island. Pauoa |
| The island is also famous for its volcanoes. Kilauea | | | | Beach, at the Fairmont Orchid Hotel in the Mauna |
| is the most active volcano in the world. At times | | | | Lani Resort, is infused by natural freshwater |
| you can Watch lava flowing across the landscape | | | | springs that move beneath the ocean's surface. |
| at Volcanoes National Park. On the days when the | | | | It's located on Hawaii's Kohala Coast, on the |
| volcano is not erupting, you can explore its unique | | | | northwest side of the island. |
| "lavascape", with its vents spewing steam, its | | | | One of Hawaii's best beaches, Hapuna Beach, is a |
| giant chasms and lava craters. Standing at just | | | | landscaped 62-acre beach park. Swimming and |
| over 5,000 feet, Kilauea is not Big | | | | other water sports are best enjoyed in summer |
| Island's tallest volcano, but it is certainly the most | | | | months during calm seas. Winter surf can be |
| active. | | | | rough. The beach is located on the Kohala Coast |
| For an aerial view of the Big Island, be sure to | | | | on the northwest side. The Hapuna Golf Course, |
| check out Blue Hawaiian or Tropical Helicopters in | | | | part of the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel, extneds |
| Hilo. Dedicated pilots will whisk you away and | | | | from the shoreline to 700 feet above sea level, |
| provide loads of nformation during the flight, | | | | offeringboth challenge and beauty. |
| including a literal "over-the-top" view of Kilauea | | | | Honaunau Beach, part of the historic Pu'uhonua o |
| Volcano! | | | | Honaunao National Park, offers a full range of |
| And, for those wanting a water experience, trek | | | | family activities. The sanctuary name means a |
| over to Kona Boy Kayaks, past the 113 mile | | | | "place of refuge." |
| marker on Highway 11, and get the thrill of Big | | | | A snorkeler's delight, Kahaluu Beach Park, is |
| Island Hawaii--in a big way! There you can rent a | | | | located on the Big Island's west coast. Visitors can |
| kayak or go on a guided trip. Paddle atop the | | | | explore a colorful variety of more than 100 types |
| waves, skirting awesome cliffs and waterfalls, or | | | | of tropical fish and marine life including sea turtles. |
| snorkel and swim in a calm, protected cove -- | | | | A large coral reef both protects the lagoon and is |
| your choice. Perhaps you'll see a few spinner | | | | home to these animals. A fresh water spring |
| dolphins as you paddle across Captain Cook | | | | feeds up to 10 million gallons per day into the |
| monument. | | | | lagoon. |
| Speaking of dolphins, the Hilton Waikola Village on | | | | Kaunaoa Beach, also known as Mauna Kea, is |
| the Big Island, has a program called Dolphin Quest. | | | | bordered by a coconut grove and protected by |
| There, in the lagoon, kids and teenagers, and a | | | | two black-lava points. This beach sit directly in |
| few adults, can have the opportunity to swim | | | | front of the Mauna Kea Hotel. The rugged surf |
| with the several Atlantic bottle-nosed dolphins. | | | | makes Kaunaoa a bodysurfer's and boogie |
| This program is nearly always full. | | | | boarder's delight. |
| Reservations must be made at least 60 days in | | | | Close by, the Mauna Kea Golf Course is carved |
| advance. | | | | out of the volcano's black lava, and is considered |
| You can go even further by discovering the | | | | one of the top courses in the United States. The |
| undersea world's creatures and their habitat by | | | | dramatic views of the Pacific Ocean and its |
| visiting Atlantis Submarines, also in Kona. And | | | | shoreline cliffs seem to add to the challenge of |
| there is also world class sports fishing off the | | | | the course. |