Big Island, An Island of Biggest and Boldest

• Vital Statistics Area: 4,028 sq. miles (and still growing!)
• Population: 155,000
• Flower: ohia lehua
• Island color: red

Largest and youngest island, lowest population density: With the Big Island’s area of 4,028 sq. miles (and still growing), all the other Hawaiian Islands would fit on it nearly twice. Yet the Big Island is the youngest in the Hawaiian chain, a mere 800,000 years old. And with an estimated population of 155,000, we have the lowest population density of any of the major Hawaiian island.

Tallest mountain in the world: Maunakea’s summit stands at 13,796 feet above sea level, and rises over 32,000 feet from its base on the ocean floor, making it taller than Mt. Everest.

Most massive mountain in the world: If you took the mass of Maunaloa and converted it to gravel, it would cover the entire state of California 600 feet deep! The mountain covers half of the island, and has a surface equal to about 85 percent of all the other Hawaiian Islands.

World’s most active and continuously erupting volcano is Kilauea. The current eruption began in January 1983 and shows no signs of stopping.

Largest park in the state: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park covers 333,086 acres with 119 miles of marked trails, and is the most-visited attraction in the state. It is also the only UNESCO World Heritage site in the state, one of only 20 in the U.S.

Biggest and oldest Hawaiian heiau (temple) on the island: The rock walls of Mookini Luakini in Kohala measure 140 feet by 280 feet.

Foremost hula festival in the world: The Merrie Monarch Festival annually draws the finest hula halau (troupes) from all over the Islands-and the world.

One of the oldest Billfishing Tournaments in the world: The Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament is known for record-breaking catches of fighting fish.

Most prestigious triathlon in the world: The Ironman Triathlon World Championship, the granddaddy of triathlons, is held every October in Kona.

One of the largest and oldest ranches in the United States: Parker Ranch in Waimea covers some 150,000 acres and runs about 25,000 head of cattle.

Largest macadamia nut orchard in Hawaii: ML Macadamia Nut Orchards owns or leases 6,300 acres of mac nut trees.

Highest lake in the Pacific Basin: Little 1.5-acre Lake Waiau sits at 13,020 above sea level on the flank of Maunakea.

Southernmost point in the United States: Ka Lae, also known as South Point, is believed to be where ancient Polynesian voyagers first made landfall in Hawaii.

Largest recorded snowfall on a tropical mountain in the Pacific Basin area. Yes, during the winter months you can sometimes build a snowman atop Maunakea in the morning and still relax that afternoon on the beach.