Jump to content

Hawaii (island): Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 19°36′N 155°30′W / 19.6°N 155.5°W / 19.6; -155.5
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Content deleted Content added
History: The context is Hawaii the Island, not the group of Islands
 
Line 1: Line 1:
{{short description|Largest of the Hawaiian islands}}
{{Refimprove|date=February 2008}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox Hawaiian island

| name = Hawai{{okina}}i
{{Use American English|date=September 2024}}
| nickname = The Big Island
{{Infobox island
| image name = Island of Hawai'i - Landsat mosaic.jpg
| name = Hawaiʻi
| image caption = Landsat mosaic, 1999–2001.
| nickname = The Big Island, Moku o Keawe
| locator map = Map of Hawaii highlighting Hawaii (island).svg
| image_name = Island of Hawai'i - Landsat mosaic.jpg
| locator caption = Location in the [[Hawaii|state of Hawaii]].
| image_caption = Landsat mosaic, 1999–2001
| location = {{coord|19|34|N|155|30|W|type:isle}}
| map_image = Map of Hawaii highlighting Hawaii (island).svg
| area = 4,028.0 sq. mi. (10,432.5 km²)
| map_caption = Location in the [[Hawaii|state of Hawaii]]
| highest mount = [[Mauna Kea]]
| location = [[North Pacific Ocean]]
| elevation = 13,796 ft. (4,205 m)
| coordinates = {{Coord|19.6|N|155.5|W|region:US-HI_type:isle_scale:1000000|display=inline,title}}
| population = 148,677
| area_sqmi = 4028
| population as of = 2000
| highest_mount = [[Mauna Kea]]
| density = 37/sq mi (14/km²)
| elevation_ft = 13803
| flower = [[Metrosideros polymorpha|{{okina}}Ōhi{{okina}}a lehua]]
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name="ngs">{{cite ngs|id=TU2314|name=Summit USGS 1977|access-date=18 August 2010}}</ref>
| color = {{okina}}Ula{{okina}}ula (red)
| population = 200,629
| rank = 1st, largest [[Hawaiian Islands|Hawaiian Island]]
| population_as_of = 2020
| boxcolor = ed1c24
| hexadecimal = ed1c24
| density_sqmi = 49.8
| country_largest_city = [[Hilo]]
| text color = FFFFFF
| country= United States
| country_admin_divisions_4 = {{Infobox place symbols|embedded=yes|island=yes
| flower = [[Metrosideros polymorpha|Red Pua Lehua]] ({{lang|haw|ʻOhiʻa}} blossom)
| color = {{lang|haw|ʻUlaʻula}} (red)}}
| rank = Largest [[Hawaiian Islands|Hawaiian Island]]
| timezone1 = [[Hawaii–Aleutian Time Zone|Hawaii–Aleutian]]
}}
}}
The '''Island of Hawai{{okina}}i''', also called the '''Big Island''' or '''Hawai{{okina}}i Island''' ({{pron-en|həˈwaɪ.i}} in English and {{IPAlink|həˈwɐiʔi}} or {{IPAlink|həˈvɐiʔi}} in [[Hawaiian phonology|Hawaiian]]), is a [[volcano|volcanic]] [[island]] in the [[U.S.]] [[Hawaii|State of Hawaii]] in the [[North Pacific Ocean]]. With an area of 4,028 square miles (10,432 km²), it is larger than all of the other Hawaiian Islands combined and is the [[List of islands of the United States by area|largest island in the United States]].


'''Hawaii''' ({{IPAc-en|audio=en-us-Hawaii.ogg|h|ə|ˈ|w|aɪ|.|i}} {{respell|hə|WY|'|ee}}; {{langx|haw|'''Hawai{{okina}}i'''}} {{IPA|haw|həˈvɐjʔi|language}}) is the [[List of islands of the United States by area|largest island in the United States]], located in the eponymous [[U.S. state|state]] of [[Hawaii]]. It is the southeasternmost of the [[Hawaiian Islands]], a chain of [[volcanic island]]s in the [[Pacific Ocean|North Pacific Ocean]]. With an area of {{convert|4028|sqmi|km2}}, it has 63% of the Hawaiian [[archipelago]]'s combined landmass. However, it has only 13% of the archipelago's population. The island of Hawaiʻi is the third largest island in [[Polynesia]], behind the [[North Island|north]] and [[South Island|south]] islands of New Zealand.<ref>{{cite web|title=List of the Islands of Polynesia|url=http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art21528.asp|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170101162702/http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art21528.asp|archive-date=1 January 2017}}</ref>
Hawai{{okina}}i is said to have been named for [[Hawaiiloa|Hawai{{okina}}iloa]], the legendary Polynesian navigator who first discovered it. However, other accounts attribute the name to the legendary land or realm of ''[[Hawaiki]]'', a place from which the Polynesians originated (see also [[Manua]]), the place where they go in the afterlife, the realm of the gods.


The island is often referred to as the '''Island of Hawaii''' or '''Hawaii Island''' to distinguish it from the state. It is also referred to as '''The Big Island''', due to its size relative to the other islands. In [[Hawaiian language|Hawaiian]], the island is sometimes called ''Moku o Keawe''. The word ''keawe'' has several meanings. One definition, "southern cross", is said to be the name of an ancient chief.<ref name="dict 1">{{cite web|url=http://wehewehe.org/gsdl2.85/cgi-bin/hdict?a=q&r=1&hs=1&m=-1&o=-1&e=p-11000-00---off-0hdict--00-1----0-10-0---0---0direct-10-ED--4-------0-1lpm--11-haw-Zz-1---Zz-1-home---00-3-1-00-0--4----0-0-11-00-0utfZz-8-00&q=keawe&j=pm&af=1&fqf=ED|title=Hawaiian Dictionary|author=Mary Māmaka Kaiao Kuleana kope|publisher=[[University of Hawaii]] Press|access-date=2017-07-27}}</ref> Another definition is "the bearer" (ke-a-we).<ref name="dict 2">{{cite web|url=http://wehewehe.org/gsdl2.85/cgi-bin/hdict?e=q-11000-00---off-0hdict--00-1----0-10-0---0---0direct-10-ED--4-------0-1lp0--11-haw-Zz-1---Zz-1-home-keawe--00-3-1-00-0--4----0-0-11-00-0utfZz-8-00&a=d&d=D54399|title=Nā Puke Wehewehe a Pau (Andrews Dictionary)|author=Andrews-Parker|publisher=[[University of Hawaii]] Press|access-date=2017-07-27}}</ref> [[Hawaii County, Hawaii|Hawaii County]] is the local administrative unit.
The Island of Hawai{{okina}}i is administered as the [[Hawaii County, Hawaii|County of Hawai{{okina}}i]]. The county seat is [[Hilo]]. It is estimated that as of the year 2008, the island had a resident population of 201,109.


As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 200,629.<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=HAWAII: 2020 Census|url=https://www.census.gov/library/stories/state-by-state/hawaii-population-change-between-census-decade.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=4 April 2022|archive-date=4 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404182025/https://www.census.gov/library/stories/state-by-state/hawaii-population-change-between-census-decade.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[county seat]] and largest town is [[Hilo, Hawaii|Hilo]]. Hawaiʻi County has no [[Municipal corporation|incorporated cities]].<ref>{{cite web|title=2010 Geographic Terms and Concepts – Place|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/reference/gtc/gtc_place.html|website=census.gov|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219003127/http://www.census.gov/geo/reference/gtc/gtc_place.html|archive-date=19 February 2014}}</ref>
==History==


{{ main|History of Hawaii }}
== History ==
{{Main|History of Hawaii}}
{{see also|Hawaii#History}}
[[File:Four-mile beach, Hilo, Hawaii.jpg|thumb|[[James Kealoha Beach]], "Carlsmith Beach Park", in Hilo]]
Hawaii is allegedly named after [[Hawaiʻiloa]], a legendary [[Polynesian navigator]] who is said to have discovered the island. Other accounts attribute the name to the legendary realm of [[Hawaiki]], a place from which some Polynesians are said to have originated, the place where they transition to in the afterlife, or the realm of the gods and goddesses. The indigenous Hawaiian name of the island was originally rendered and published as "Owyhee" or "Owhyhee".


Hawaii was the home island of Paiʻea Kamehameha, later known as [[Kamehameha I|Kamehameha the Great]]. Kamehameha forcibly united most of the Hawaiian islands under his rule in 1795, after several [[Unification of Hawaii|years of war]], and gave the [[Hawaiian Kingdom|kingdom]] and the [[Hawaiian Islands|island chain]] the name of his native island.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Homans|first1=Margaret|last2=Munich|first2=Adrienne|title=Remaking Queen Victoria|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-0-521-57485-3|page=147|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PijIVySza7cC|date=2 October 1997|access-date=31 July 2023|archive-date=31 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230731070659/https://books.google.com/books?id=PijIVySza7cC|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1822, missionary [[William Ellis (British missionary)|William Ellis]] arrived and was one of a party that completed a tour of the island, descriptions of which were later published in his journal.<ref>{{cite book|author=William Ellis|title=A Journal of a Tour around Hawaii, the Largest of the Sandwich Islands|year=1823|publisher=Crocker and Brewster, New York, republished 2004, Mutual Publishing, Honolulu|url=https://archive.org/details/ajournalatourar00elligoog|isbn=1-56647-605-4}}</ref>
Hawai{{okina}}i was the home island of Pai`ea Kamehameha, called by Westerners [[Kamehameha the Great]], who by 1795 had united most of the Hawaiian Islands under his rule after several years of warfare and conquest. He gave his kingdom the name of his native island (by which the islands now are known collectively), Hawai{{okina}}i. Captain [[James Cook]], who made the Western world aware of these "[[Hawaiian Islands|Sandwich isles]]", was killed on Hawai{{okina}}i in [[Kealakekua Bay]].


==Geology and geography==
== Geology and geography ==
[[File:Hawaii-Big-Island-TF.jpg|thumb|Aerial view, 3D computer-generated image]]
[[Image:Mapmaunaloa.png|thumb|left|The five shield volcanoes]]
According to the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|5086|sqmi}}, of which {{cvt|4028|sqmi}} is land and {{cvt|1058|sqmi}} (20.8%) is water.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=23 April 2011|date=12 February 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305202951/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html|archive-date=5 March 2012}}</ref> The county's land area comprises 62.7 percent of the state's land area. It is the highest percentage by any county in the United States. [[Delaware]]'s [[Sussex County, Delaware|Sussex County]] comes in second at 48.0 percent, while [[Rhode Island]]'s [[Providence County, Rhode Island|Providence County]] is third at 39.6 percent.
The Island of Hawai{{okina}}i is built from five separate [[Shield volcano|shield volcanoes]] that erupted somewhat sequentially, one overlapping the other. These are (from oldest to youngest):
:*[[Kohala (mountain)|Kohala]] (extinct),
:*[[Mauna Kea]] (dormant),
:*[[Hualalai|Hualālai]] (dormant),
:*[[Mauna Loa]] (active, partly within [[Hawaii Volcanoes National Park|Hawai{{okina}}i Volcanoes National Park]]), and
:*[[Kilauea|Kīlauea]] (very active; part of Hawai{{okina}}i Volcanoes National Park).
Interpretation of geological evidence from exposures of old surfaces on the south and west flanks of Mauna Loa led to the proposal that two ancient volcanic shields (named Ninole and Kulani) were all but buried by the younger Mauna Loa.<ref>MacDonald and Abbott, 1970</ref> Geologists now consider these "outcrops" to be part of the earlier building of Mauna Loa.


At its greatest dimension, the island is {{convert|93|mi}} across. Measured from its sea floor base to its highest peak, [[Mauna Kea]] at {{Convert|10000|m}} is the world's tallest mountain, taller than even [[Mount Everest]], since the base of Mount Everest is above sea level.<ref name="Geology.com">{{cite web|url=http://geology.com/records/highest-mountain-in-the-world.shtml|title=Highest Mountain in the World|access-date=4 April 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160402034607/http://geology.com/records/highest-mountain-in-the-world.shtml|archive-date=2 April 2016}}</ref>
[[Image:Pasture Hawaii.jpg|thumb|left|View north from upslope Kohala showing Haleakalā, Maui in the distance]]
In greatest dimension, the island is 93 miles (150 km) across and has a land area of 4,028.0 square miles (10,432.5 km²),<ref name="SizeRef">{{cite web | url=http://www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/economic/databook/db2004/section05.pdf | title=Table 5.08 - Land Area of Islands: 2000 |work=[http://www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/economic/databook/db2004/ 2004 State of Hawaii Data Book] |publisher=State of Hawaii | year=2004 | accessdate=2007-07-23|format=PDF}}</ref> representing 62% of the total land area of the [[Hawaiian Islands]]. Measured from its base at the sea floor, to its highest peak, [[Mauna Kea]] is the tallest mountain in the world, even taller than [[Mount Everest]], according to the [[Guinness Book of Records]]. Traditionally, Hawai{{okina}}i is known as the '''Big Island''' because it is the largest of the Hawaiian Islands and also to ease confusion between Hawai{{okina}}i Island and Hawai{{okina}}i State.


[[Ka Lae]], the [[list of extreme points of the United States|southernmost point]] in the 50 [[List of states and territories of the United States#States|states of the United States]], is on Hawaii. The nearest landfall to the south is the [[Line Islands]]. To the northwest of the island of Hawaii is the island of [[Maui]], whose [[Haleakalā]] volcano is visible from Hawaii across the [[channels of the Hawaiian Islands|Alenuihaha Channel]].
Because Mauna Loa and Kīlauea are active volcanoes, the island of Hawai{{okina}}i is still growing. Between January 1983 and September 2002, {{convert|543|acre|ha}} of land were added to the island by [[lava]] flows from Kīlauea volcano extending the coastline seaward. Several towns have been destroyed by Kīlauea lava flows in modern times: [[Kapoho, Hawai'i|Kapoho]] (1960), [[Kalapana, Hawaii|Kalapana]] (1990), and [[Kaimu|Kaimū]] (1990). A large fresh water pool, in a deep L-shaped crack in the Kalapana area, well known on the Big Island as ''Queen's Bath'', was flowed over by lava in 1987.


{{wide image|Kohala Coast and Three Volcanoes.JPG|780px|A view of the Kohala Coast and adjacent volcanoes, taken from the slopes of Kohala Mountains about {{convert|6|mi|0}} northwest of Kawaihae. From left to right: Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, and Hualalai.}}
[[Image:Three Waikupanaha and one Ki lava ocean entries w-edit2.jpg|thumb|220px|Steam plume as Kīlauea red lava enters the ocean at three Waikupanaha and one Ki lava ocean entries. Some surface lava is seen too. The image was taken 04/16/08.]]
Hawai{{okina}}i is the southernmost island in the Hawaiian archipelago, and contains the [[Extreme points of the United States|southernmost point]] in the United States, ([[Ka Lae]]). The nearest landfall to the south would be in the [[Line Islands]]. To the north is the island of [[Maui]], where East Maui Volcano ([[Haleakala|Haleakalā]]) is visible across the [[Hawaiian islands channels|Alenuihāhā Channel]].


=== Volcanism ===
18 miles (29 kilometers) off Hawai{{okina}}i Island's southeast coast is the undersea volcano known as [[Loihi Seamount|Lō{{okina}}ihi]]. Lō{{okina}}ihi is an actively erupting seamount that lies 3,200 feet (975 m) below the surface of the ocean. It is thought that continued volcanic activity from Lō{{okina}}ihi will cause the volcano to eventually breach sea level and later attach at the surface onto Kīlauea, adding even more land to Hawai{{okina}}i's surface area. This "event" is presently predicted for a date several tens of thousands of years in the future.
[[File:Location Hawaii Volcanoes.svg|thumb|The five shield volcanoes]]
<!-- Image with unknown copyright status removed: [[Image:Greatcrack1999.jpg|left|thumb|The Great Crack courtesy NASA's Virtually Hawai{{okina}}i Project]] -->
[[File:Three Waikupanaha and one Ki lava ocean entries w-edit2.jpg|thumb|Steam plume as Kīlauea red lava enters the ocean at three Waikupanaha and one Ki lava ocean entries. Some surface lava is seen too. The image was taken on 16 April 2008.]]


The island of Hawaiʻi is built from five separate [[shield volcano]]es that erupted somewhat sequentially, one overlapping the other. These are (from oldest to youngest):<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nps.gov/havo/faqs.htm|title=Frequently Asked Questions – Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park|publisher=U.S. National Park Service|access-date=6 November 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806142114/https://www.nps.gov/havo/faqs.htm|archive-date=6 August 2017}}</ref>
[[Hilina Slump]] or the Great Crack is an {{convert|8|mi|km|0|sing=on}} long, {{convert|60|ft|m|0}} wide and {{convert|60|ft|m|0}} deep crack in the island, situated in the district of Ka{{okina}}ū. The Great Crack is one of many series of cracks and rifts that were formed by eruptions and, in fact, is an extension of the southwest rift zone. Often these rifts are the sites of volcanic eruptions and occasionally a [[rift]] can be so deep and so fractured that it can cause a chunk of the island to fall into the ocean.
*[[Kohala (mountain)|Kohala]] – extinct
*[[Mauna Kea]] – dormant
*[[Hualālai]] – active
*[[Mauna Loa]] – active, partly within [[Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park]]
*[[Kīlauea]] – active, part of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park


Geological evidence from exposures of old surfaces on the south and west flanks of Mauna Loa led to the proposal that two ancient volcanic shields (named Ninole and Kulani) were all but buried by the younger Mauna Loa.<ref>{{cite book|first1=G. A.|last1=MacDonald|first2=A. T.|last2=Abbott|year=1970|title=Volcanoes in the Sea|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IuADTBNksO0C|publisher=University of Hawaiʻi Press|location=Honolulu|isbn=0-87022-495-6|access-date=31 July 2023|archive-date=31 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230731070754/https://books.google.com/books?id=IuADTBNksO0C|url-status=live}}</ref> Geologists now consider these "outcrops" to be part of Mauna Loa.
[[Image:IMG 7404.JPG|thumb|left|220px|Black Sand Beach Park]]
Some believe that the Great Crack is a result of the south flank of the Big Island moving away from the rest of the island. Speculation abounds that some day, perhaps soon, a major chunk of the island will break away and fall into the ocean, resulting in turn in a huge [[tsunami]] and [[earthquake]]. This actually does happen every ten thousand years or so, so it is not outside the realm of possibility. Others believe the Great Crack is not a [[Geologic fault|fault]] that will break the island apart, but instead was created (probably thousands of years ago) as a result of the crust moving apart slightly due to [[magma]] forcing itself into the [[rift]] zones. The [[Hilina Slump]] is a 4,760 cubic mile (20,000 kilometre³) chunk of the big island of Hawaii on the south slope of the Kilauea volcano which is breaking away from the island and slipping into the Pacific Ocean at an average rate of 4 inches (100 mm) per year. The slump has the potential of breaking away at a faster pace in the form of an underwater landslide. In Hawaii, landslides of this nature are called debris avalanches. If the entire Hilina Slump did slide into the ocean at once, it could cause an earthquake in excess of a 9 in magnitude and a tsunami 1,000 feet (300 m) tall, threatening the entire Pacific Rim. Furthermore, the walls of the crack have been shown to fit together perfectly, thus proving that the crack was a widening of once joined ground.


Based on [[geochemical]] (including [[trace elements]]) and [[isotope]] differences in their eruptive products, Hawaiian volcanoes fall into two families. The differences are believed due to their separate magma systems. Hualālai and Mauna Loa are members of one family, while Kohala, Mauna Kea, and Kilauea are members of the other.<ref>{{cite web|last=Chang|first=Julie|date=April 14, 2022|title=Volcano Watch – From Mauna Loa or Kilauea? A Geologic Whodunnit|url=https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/news/volcano-watch-mauna-loa-or-kilauea-geologic-whodunnit#:~:text=On%20the%20Island%20of%20Hawaiʻi,two%20volcanoes%20are%20not%20interconnected.|publisher=[[Hawaiian Volcano Observatory]]|access-date=September 11, 2023}}</ref>
One can find trails, rock walls, and archaeological sites from as old as the 12th century around the Great Crack. Much of these finds are on the park side of the fence. About {{convert|1951|acre|km2}} of private land beyond the fence were purchased during the [[Presidency of Bill Clinton|Bill Clinton administration]] specifically to protect the various artifacts in this area as well as to protect the habitat of the turtles. However, near the end of the crack is an area of land between the fence, the crack and the ocean which is not part of the park land and does have many archaeological artifacts on it.


Because Mauna Loa and Kīlauea are active volcanoes, the island is growing. Between January 1983 and September 2002, [[lava]] flows added {{convert|543|acre|ha}} to the island. Lava flowing from Kīlauea destroyed several towns, including [[Kapoho, Hawaii|Kapoho]] in 1960 and again in 2018, and [[Kalapana, Hawaii|Kalapana]] and [[Kaimū, Hawaii|Kaimū]] in 1990. In 1987 lava filled in "Queen's Bath", a large, L-shaped, freshwater pool in the Kalapana area.<ref>{{Citation|title=Global Volcanism Program {{!}} Report on Kilauea (United States) – March 1987|url=https://volcano.si.edu/ShowReport.cfm?doi=10.5479/si.GVP.SEAN198703-332010|access-date=2022-03-10|publisher=Global Volcanism Program|doi=10.5479/si.gvp.sean198703-332010|archive-date=10 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220310072050/https://volcano.si.edu/showreport.cfm?doi=10.5479/si.GVP.SEAN198703-332010|url-status=live}}</ref> Another 875 acres were added between May and July 2018 by the [[2018 lower Puna eruption]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_chronology.html|publisher=United States Geological Survey|date=June 13, 2018|title=Photo & Video Chronology|access-date=23 February 2020|archive-date=13 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713050309/https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_chronology.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/maps_uploads/image-539.jpg|publisher=United States Geological Survey|title=East Rift Zone map|date=August 7, 2018|access-date=23 February 2020|archive-date=8 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180808073333/https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/maps_uploads/image-539.jpg|url-status=live}}</ref> Mauna Loa erupted in 2022, 38 years after the prior activity.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2022-11-30|title=Thousands flock to Mauna Loa for selfies during dramatic eruption|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/nov/30/mauna-loa-hawaii-eruption-selfies|access-date=2022-12-02|website=The Guardian|archive-date=9 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230109234719/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/nov/30/mauna-loa-hawaii-eruption-selfies|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 1823 a very fluid flow of [[lava]] came out of a {{convert|6|mi|km|0|sing=on}} portion of the crack and made its way to the ocean.
[[Image:Lava enering ocean5n.jpg|thumb|right|220px|Lava enters the Pacific at [[Hawaii Volcanoes National Park]] in April of 2005, increasing the size of the island.]]


Some geologists also count two [[submarine volcano|undersea volcanoes]] in the base of the island.<ref>{{Citation|last1=Moore|first1=James G.|title=Volcano growth and evolution of the island of Hawaii|date=November 1992|journal=Bulletin of the Geological Society of America|volume=104|issue=11|pages=1471–84|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/249526517|bibcode=1992GSAB..104.1471M|doi=10.1130/0016-7606(1992)104<1471:VGAEOT>2.3.CO;2|last2=Clague|first2=David A.}}, p. 1471.</ref> [[Māhukona]] off the northwest corner of the island has eroded below the ocean surface.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Garcia|first1=Michael|last2=Hanano|first2=Diane|date=March 2008|title=Age, geology, geophysics, and geochemistry of Mahukona Volcano, Hawai'i|url=http://www.soest.hawaii.edu/GG/FACULTY/ITO/Garcia_etal_Mahukona_BullVolc12.pdf|journal=Bulletin of Volcanology|volume=74|issue=6|pages=1445–63|doi=10.1007/s00445-012-0602-4|access-date=14 December 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150826192628/http://www.soest.hawaii.edu/GG/FACULTY/ITO/Garcia_etal_Mahukona_BullVolc12.pdf|archive-date=26 August 2015|bibcode=2012BVol...74.1445G|s2cid=53118897}}</ref> [[Kamaʻehuakanaloa Seamount|Kamaʻehuakanaloa]] (formerly Lōʻihi) is under water {{convert|35|km|order=flip}} southeast of Hawaii. It is an erupting seamount that has grown to reach {{convert|3200|ft|m}} below the ocean surface, and it is forecast to break the surface in 10,000 to 100,000 years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.volcanodiscovery.com/loihi.html|title=Loihi|website=volcanodiscovery.com|access-date=2019-04-01|archive-date=1 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401143702/https://www.volcanodiscovery.com/loihi.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
On [[April 2]], [[1868]], an earthquake in this area with a magnitude estimated between 7.25 and 7.75 on the Richter scale rocked the southeast coast of Hawai{{okina}}i. It triggered a landslide on the slopes of Mauna Loa, five miles (8 km) north of Pahala, killing 31 people. A tsunami claimed 46 additional lives. The villages of [[Punaluu|Punalu{{okina}}u]], Nīnole, Kawa{{okina}}a, Honu{{okina}}apo, and Keauhou Landing were severely damaged. According to one account, the tsunami "rolled in over the tops of the coconut trees, probably {{convert|60|ft|m|0}} high ... inland a distance of a quarter of a mile in some places, taking out to sea when it returned, houses, men, women, and almost everything movable." This was reported in the 1988 edition of Walter C. Dudley's book, "Tsunami!" (ISBN 0-8248-1125-9).


=== Great Crack ===
On [[November 29]], [[1975]], a {{convert|37|mi|km|0|sing=on}} wide section of the Hilina Slump plunged 11 feet (3 m) into the ocean, widening the crack by {{convert|26|ft|m|0}}. This movement caused a 7.2 magnitude earthquake and a {{convert|48|ft|m|-1}} high tsunami. Oceanfront properties were washed off their foundations in Punalu{{okina}}u. Two deaths were reported at Halapē, and 19 other persons were injured.
{{See also|Koa'e Fault Zone}}


[[File:Lava enering ocean5n.jpg|thumb|Lava entering the Pacific at [[Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park|Hawaii Volcanoes National Park]] in April 2005, increasing the size of the island|alt=Photo showing clouds of steam surrounding lava that is partly black and partly glowing orange]]
The northeast coast of the Big Island has also suffered tsunami damage from earthquakes that triggered waves from Chile and Alaska. Downtown [[Hilo]] was severely damaged in 1946 and 1960, with many lives lost. [[Laupahoehoe|Laupāhoehoe]] alone lost 16 school children and 5 teachers in the 1946 tsunami.
The Great Crack is an {{Convert|8|mi|m|adj=mid|-long|spell=in}}, {{convert|60|ft|m|adj=mid|-wide|sigfig=2}} and {{convert|60|ft|m|adj=mid|-deep|sigfig=2}} fissure in the island, in the district of [[Kau, Hawaii|Ka'u]]. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the Great Crack is the result of crustal dilation from [[magma]]tic intrusions into the southwest rift zone of Kilauea.<ref name="USGS_Great_Crack">{{Cite web|title=Hawaiian Volcano Observatory|url=https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/hvo_volcano_watch.html|access-date=2024-02-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090510122059/http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch/1998/98_07_16.html|archive-date=10 May 2009|publisher=United States Geological Survey|date=16 July 1998}}</ref> While neither the [[1868 Hawaii earthquake|earthquake of 1868]] nor that of 1975 caused a measurable change in the Great Crack, lava welled out of its lower {{convert|10|km|order=flip|0}} in 1823.<ref name="USGS_Great_Crack" />


Trails, rock walls, and archaeological sites from as old as the 12th century exist near the Great Crack. In August 2018, the [[National Park Service]] purchased nearly {{convert|2000|acre}} of private land adjacent to [[Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park|Hawaii Volcanoes National Park]], claiming that the area had important geological features to be studied and preserved.<ref>{{Cite web|first=John|last=Burnett|date=2018-09-14|title=National Park Service acquires 'Great Crack Property' in foreclosure sale|url=https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2018/09/14/hawaii-news/national-park-service-acquires-great-crack-property-in-foreclosure-sale/|access-date=2020-10-15|website=Hawaii Tribune-Herald|archive-date=18 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018141029/https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2018/09/14/hawaii-news/national-park-service-acquires-great-crack-property-in-foreclosure-sale/|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Demographics ==
As of 2000, there were 148,677 people, 52,985 households, and 36,877 families residing in the county. The [[population density]] was 14/km² (37/mi²). There were 62,674 housing units at an average density of 6/km² (16/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 31.55% White, 0.47% [[African American]], 0.45% [[Native Hawaiians|Kanaka Maoli]], 26.70% [[Asia]]n, 11.25% Pacific Islander, 1.14% from other races, and 28.44% from two or more races. 9.49% of the population were [[Hispanics in the United States|Hispanic]] or [[Latino]] of any race.


=== Hilina Slump ===
There were 52,985 households out of which 32.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.60% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 13.20% had a woman whose husband did not live with her, and 30.40% were non-families. 23.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.24.
{{Main|Hilina Slump}}
[[File:Punaluu Black Sand Beach Park.JPG|thumb|Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach Park|alt=Photo of coastline with 10 people standing or walking on the beach and palm trees in background]]
[[File:Magic Sands (Laaloa Bay) Hawaii Christmas.jpg|thumb|[[Laʻaloa Bay]], also known as "Magic Sands", located in Kailua-Kona]]
The [[Hilina Slump]] is a {{convert|4760|cumi|km3|adj=on}} section of the south slope of Kīlauea that is moving away from the island. Between 1990 and 1993, [[Global Positioning System]] (GPS) measurements showed a southward displacement of about {{convert|10|cm|order=flip|0}} per year.<ref name="AAAS_Abstract_1">{{cite journal|last1=Owen|first1=Susan|first2=Paul|last2=Segal|first3=Jeff|last3=Freymueller|title=Rapid Deformation of the South Flank of Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii|journal=[[Science (journal)|Science]]|year=1995|volume=267|issue=5202|pages=1328–32|doi=10.1126/science.267.5202.1328|bibcode=1995Sci...267.1328O|display-authors=etal|url=https://zenodo.org/record/1231037|pmid=17812606|s2cid=30320632|access-date=28 June 2019|archive-date=1 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801144650/https://zenodo.org/record/1231037|url-status=live}}</ref> Undersea measurements show a "bench" that has formed a buttress and that this buttress may tend to reduce the likelihood of catastrophic detachment.<ref name="AGU_Abstract_1">{{cite journal|last1=Morgan|first1=J. K.|first2=G. F.|last2=Moore|first3=D. A.|last3=Clague|year=2003|title=Slope failure and volcanic spreading along the submarine south flank of Kilauea volcano, Hawaii|journal=[[Journal of Geophysical Research]]|volume=108|issue=B9|page=2415|doi=10.1029/2003JB002411|bibcode=2003JGRB..108.2415M|doi-access=free}}</ref><ref name="MBARI_1">{{cite web|url=http://www.mbari.org/volcanism/Hawaii/HR-Landslides.htm|title=Hawaiian Landslides – Slope failure on Kilauea's submarine south flank (Subsection)|publisher=[[Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute]]|access-date=15 September 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090527191642/http://www.mbari.org/volcanism/Hawaii/HR-Landslides.htm|archive-date=27 May 2009}}</ref>


=== Earthquakes and tsunamis ===
In the county the population was spread out with 26.10% under the age of 18, 8.20% from 18 to 24, 26.20% from 25 to 44, 26.00% from 45 to 64, and 13.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 100 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98 males.
{{see also|List of earthquakes in Hawaii}}
[[File:Anaeho'omalu Panorama.JPG|thumb|Anaehoʻomalu Beach panorama]]
On 2 April 1868, [[1868 Hawaii earthquake|an earthquake]] with a magnitude estimated between 7.25 and 7.9 rocked the southeast coast of Hawaii. This was the most destructive earthquake in the Hawaii's recorded history.<ref name="Destructive Earthquakes">{{Cite web|title=Hawaiian Volcano Observatory|url=https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/about_earthquakes.html|access-date=2024-02-24|publisher=United States Geological Survey|date=26 October 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090825010458/http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/earthquakes/destruct/|archive-date=25 August 2009}}</ref> It triggered a [[landslide]] on Mauna Loa, {{Convert|5|mi|0}} north of [[Pahala, Hawaii|Pahala]], killing 31 people. A [[tsunami]] claimed 46 more lives. The villages of [[Punaluʻu Beach|Punaluʻu]], [[Nīnole, Hawaii|Nīnole]], Kawaʻa, Honuʻapo, and Keauhou Landing were severely damaged. The tsunami reportedly rolled over the tops of the coconut trees up to {{convert|60|ft|m|0}} high, and it reached inland a distance of a quarter of a mile (400 meters) in some places.<ref>{{cite book|title=Tsunami!|year=1998|publisher=University of Hawaii Press|author=Walter C. Dudley|edition=second|isbn=978-0-8248-1969-9|pages=222–24|url={{google books|plainurl=y|id=IpuAAAAAMAAJ}}}}</ref>


On 29 November 1975, a {{convert|37|mi|km|adj=mid|-wide|sigfig=2}} section of the Hilina Slump dropped {{Convert|11.5|ft|m}} and slid {{convert|26|ft|m}} toward the ocean. This movement caused a 7.2 magnitude earthquake and a {{convert|48|ft|m|adj=mid|-high|sigfig=2}} tsunami. Oceanfront property was washed off its foundations in Punaluu. Two deaths were reported at Halape, and 19 other people were injured.<ref>{{cite web|title=Hawaii – Earthquake and Tsunami of 29 November 1975 in the Hawaiian Islands|first1=George|last1=Pararas-Carayannis|url=http://www.drgeorgepc.com/Tsunami1975Hawaii.html|website=drgeorgepc.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170101162752/http://www.drgeorgepc.com/Tsunami1975Hawaii.html|archive-date=1 January 2017}}</ref>
==Economy==
[[Sugarcane]] was the backbone of Hawai{{okina}}i Island's [[Economic system|economy]] for more than a century (see [[Sugar plantations in Hawaii]]). In the mid-twentieth century, sugar[[ plantation]]s began to downsize and by 1996, the last sugarcane plantation had closed down.


The island suffered damage from a tsunami caused by earthquakes in [[Alaska]] on 1 April 1946, and in [[Chile]] on 23 May 1960. Downtown Hilo was damaged by both tsunamis, with many lives lost. Just north of Hilo, [[Laupāhoehoe, Hawaii|Laupāhoehoe]] lost 16 schoolchildren and five teachers in the tsunami of 1946.<ref>{{cite web|title=April 1, 1946: Have we learned enough since tsunami that killed 159 in Hawai'i?|publisher=The Honolulu Advertiser|url=http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2006/Apr/01/ln/FP604010322.html|website=the.honoluluadvertiser.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308183414/http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2006/Apr/01/ln/FP604010322.html|archive-date=8 March 2016}}</ref>
Today, most of Hawai{{okina}}i Island's economy is based on [[tourism]] (see [[Tourism in Hawaii]]), centered primarily on the leeward (''kona'') or western coast of the island in the North Kona and South Kohala districts. However, diversified [[agriculture]] is a growing sector of the economy of the island. [[Macadamia|Macadamia nuts]], [[papaya]], [[flower]]s, [[tropical]] and [[temperate]] [[vegetable]]s, and [[coffee]] ([[kona coffee]]) are all important crops. In fact, because of Hawai{{okina}}i Island's reputation for growing beautiful [[orchid]]s, the island has the nickname "The Orchid Isle." [[Cattle]] ranching is also important. The Big Island is home to one of the largest cattle ranches in the United States, [[Parker Ranch]], which is situated on {{convert|175000|acre|km2|0}} in and around [[Kamuela]]. [[Astronomy]] is another industry, with numerous [[telescope]]s situated on [[Mauna Kea]] owing to the excellent clarity of the atmosphere at its summit and the lack of [[light pollution]].


In March 2011, a [[2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami|9.0 magnitude earthquake]] off the east coast of Japan again created a tsunami that caused minor damage in Hawaii. The estimated damage to public buildings was about US$3&nbsp;million.<ref name="2011 Sendai">{{cite news|last=Nakaso|first=Dan|date=14 March 2011|url=http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/breaking/117965429.html|title=Tsunami damage estimate for Hawaii now tens of millions|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110315014511/http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/breaking/117965429.html|archive-date=15 March 2011|newspaper=Star Advertiser|access-date=15 March 2011}}</ref> In the [[Kona District, Hawaii|Kona]] area this tsunami washed a house into [[Kealakekua Bay]], destroyed a yacht club and tour boat offices in [[Keauhou Bay]], caused extensive damage in [[Kailua-Kona, Hawaii|Kailua Kona]], flooded the ground floor of the King Kamehameha Hotel,<ref>{{cite web|title=King Kamehameha Hotel is new and improved after last year's tsunami|url=http://www.khon2.com/content/news/editorschoice/story/King-Kamehameha-Hotel-is-new-and-improved-after/BY0_zuu2PESqeWpS4w5gnQ.cspx|publisher=KHON2|access-date=1 April 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108021341/http://www.khon2.com/content/news/editorschoice/story/King-Kamehameha-Hotel-is-new-and-improved-after/BY0_zuu2PESqeWpS4w5gnQ.cspx|archive-date=8 January 2014}}</ref> and temporarily closed the Kona Village Resort.<ref>{{cite news|title=Tsunami damage forces closing of Kona Village Resort|url=http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/14281173/tsnami-damage-forces-closing-of-kona-village-resort|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170101092210/http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/14281173/tsnami-damage-forces-closing-of-kona-village-resort|archive-date=1 January 2017}}</ref>
== Tourist information ==
[[Image:Redlavahawaii.JPG|right|250px|thumb|Red lava]]
The Bigg Island is famous for its [[volcano]]es. [[Kilauea|Kīlauea]], the most active, has been erupting almost continuously for more than two decades.
At the coast where the [[lava]] meets the ocean, one can sometimes see billows of white steam rising from off the shoreline. At night, the lava lights up the steam to give an orange glow.
When the molten lava makes contact with the ocean, the sea water turns into steam, and the sudden cooling of the lava causes the newly formed lava rocks to explode and crack into small pieces.
The broken up lava is further ground into black sands along the shore by the ocean waves. [[Black sand]] beaches are common on the Big Island.


In early May 2018, [[Kīlauea#2018 eruptive episodes|hundreds of small earthquakes]] were detected on Kīlauea's East [[rift zone]], leading officials to issue evacuation warnings. On 3 May 2018, the volcano erupted in Puna after a 5.0 earthquake earlier in the day, causing evacuations of [[Leilani Estates, Hawaii|Leilani Estates]] and Lanipuna Gardens subdivisions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kilauea-volcano-in-hawaii-could-erupt-after-hundreds-of-small-earthquakes/|title=Kilauea volcano in Hawaii could erupt after hundreds of small earthquakes|publisher=[[CBS News]]|date=2 May 2018|access-date=5 May 2018|archive-date=14 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114094843/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kilauea-volcano-in-hawaii-could-erupt-after-hundreds-of-small-earthquakes/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2018/05/03/hawaii-news/updated-total-evacuation-of-leilani-estates-and-lanipuna-gardens-ordered-after-lava-emerges-from-road/|title=Ige signs emergency proclamation following Leilani lava eruption|publisher=Hawaii Tribune-Herald|website=hawaiitribune-herald.com|date=4 May 2018|access-date=5 May 2018|archive-date=5 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180505065642/http://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2018/05/03/hawaii-news/updated-total-evacuation-of-leilani-estates-and-lanipuna-gardens-ordered-after-lava-emerges-from-road/|url-status=live}}</ref> A seemingly related 5.3 magnitude quake and a subsequent [[2018 Hawaii earthquake|6.9 magnitude earthquake]] occurred on 4 May.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.staradvertiser.com/2018/05/03/breaking-news/kilauea-volcano-may-2018/|title=Overnight, earthquakes and lava become the new norm on Hawaii island|date=3 May 2018|access-date=5 May 2018|archive-date=21 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180621121032/http://www.staradvertiser.com/2018/05/03/breaking-news/kilauea-volcano-may-2018/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us1000dyad#shakemap|title=M 6.9 – 16&nbsp;km SW of Leilani Estates, Hawaii|publisher=United States Geological Survey|access-date=4 May 2018|archive-date=5 May 2018|archive-url=https://archive.today/20180505141409/https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us1000dyad%23executive#shakemap|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Places of interest==
* [[Akaka Falls State Park|Akaka Falls]]; the second tallest waterfall on the island.
* [[Amy B. H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden]] houses many endangered [[Hawaiian]] plants.
* [[East Hawaii Cultural Center|East Hawai{{okina}}i Cultural Center]]
* [[Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden|Hawai{{okina}}i Tropical Botanical Garden]]
* [[Hawaii Volcanoes National Park|Hawai{{okina}}i Volcanoes National Park]]; comprising the active volcanoes Kīlauea and Mauna Loa
* [[Hulihee Palace|Hulihe{{okina}}e Palace]]; a [[Kingdom of Hawaii|royal palace]] in Kailua-Kona
[[Image:Lehua blossoms hawaii 01.jpg|thumb|175px|right|Lehua blossoms ({{Okina}}ōhi{{Okina}}a lehua), Hawai{{Okina}}i]]
* [[Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaii|{{okina}}Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawai{{okina}}i]] in Hilo
* [[Ka Lae]], the southernmost point in the United States
* [[Laupahoehoe]] Train Museum
* [[Lyman House Memorial Museum]] in Hilo
* [[Manuka State Wayside Park]]
* [[Mauna Kea Observatory]]; Mauna Kea Observatories
* [[Nani Mau Gardens]]
* Onizuka Space Center; museum dedicated to the memory of [[Space Shuttle Challenger|Challenger]] astronaut [[Ellison Onizuka]]
* [[Pacific Tsunami Museum]] overlooking Hilo Bay
* [[Pana'ewa Rainforest Zoo]] in Hilo
* [[Pua Mau Place Arboretum and Botanical Garden]]
* [[Puuhonua o Honaunau|Pu{{okina}}uhonua O Hōnaunau]] [[National Park|National Historical Park]]
* Rainbow Falls State Park
* [[Sadie Seymour Botanical Gardens]]
* [[University of Hawaii at Hilo Botanical Gardens|University of Hawai{{okina}}i at Hilo Botanical Gardens]]
* [[World Botanical Gardens]]
* [[Waipio Valley|Waipi'o Valley]]


== Maps ==
=== Volcanic fog ===
[[File:Volcano atmospheric vog measuring station Hawaii (45553109794).jpg|thumb|Mobile atmospheric volcanic fog measuring station in Hawaii]]
<gallery widths="400px" heights="300px" align="center">
[[Vog]] (volcanic fog) can envelop the island of Hawaii when Kilauea is active. Since the termination of volcanic activity in September 2018, vog has largely disappeared on the west side of the island.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.civilbeat.org/2019/01/big-island-the-vog-is-gone-for-the-first-time-in-decades/|title=The VOG is Gone for the First Time in Decades|last=Armstrong|first=Jason|date=January 2, 2019|work=The Civil Beat|access-date=April 19, 2019|archive-date=16 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416201252/https://www.civilbeat.org/2019/01/big-island-the-vog-is-gone-for-the-first-time-in-decades/|url-status=live}}</ref> The gas plumes created a blanket of vog that the [[trade winds]] mostly deflect toward the Kona coast. Vog can damage the health of plants, humans, and other animals. Most of the [[aerosol]]s are acidic and of a size where they can remain in the lungs to damage them. Flu-like symptoms and general lethargy are reported, and are especially pronounced in people with respiratory conditions.<ref name="Frequently Asked Questions about Air Quality in Hawaiʻi">{{cite web|url=http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/hazards/FAQ_SO2-Vog-Ash/P1.html|title=Frequently Asked Questions About Volcanic Smog (Vog)|access-date=29 December 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527113622/http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/hazards/FAQ_SO2-Vog-Ash/P1.html|archive-date=27 May 2010}} on USGS web site. U.S. Geological Service. Retrieved 29 December 2009.</ref><ref name="Vog: A Volcanic Hazard">{{cite web|url=http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch/1996/96_05_29.html|title=Hawaiian Volcano Observatory|access-date=4 July 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120205204310/http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch/1996/96_05_29.html|archive-date=5 February 2012}} on USGS web site.</ref><ref name="Hawaii Air Quality Conditions & Forecasts">{{cite web|url=http://airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=airnow.fcsummary&stateid=15|title=AirNow|access-date=4 July 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705222938/http://airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=airnow.fcsummary&stateid=15|archive-date=5 July 2015}} on "Airnow" US Government web site.</ref><ref name="Vog: Important Information and Facts">{{cite web|url=http://hawaii.gov/gov/vog|title=David y. Ige|access-date=4 July 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222024629/http://hawaii.gov/gov/vog|archive-date=22 February 2012}} on State of Hawaii Office of the Governor web site.</ref>
Image:Hawaii Map.jpg|Map of Hawaii with cities
Image:Hawaii Island topographic map-en.svg|Topographical map of Hawaii
</gallery>


== Cities and towns ==
=== National protected areas ===
[[File:Lehua blossoms hawaii 01.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Metrosideros polymorpha|Lehua]] blossoms, Hawaiʻi]]The island hosts many specialized ecosystems/microclimates, including many protected by federal designation:
There are no incorporated municipalities on the island, but some of the named towns:
*[[Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail]]
{| width="90%" valign="top" |
*[[Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge]]
|-
*[[Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park]]
| width="30%" align="left" valign="top" |
*[[Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park]]
*[[Captain Cook, Hawaii|Captain Cook]]
*[[Kohala Historical Sites State Monument]] ([[Kohala Historical Sites State Monument|Mookini Heiau]])
*[[Halaula, Hawaii|Hala{{okina}}ula]]
*[[Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge|Kona Forest National Wildlife Refuge]]
*[[Hawaiian Ocean View, Hawaii|Hawaiian Ocean View]]
*[[Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park]]
*[[Hawi, Hawaii|Hawi]]
*[[Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site]]
*[[Hilo, Hawaii|Hilo]]
<br />
**Keaukaha
<gallery mode="packed" widths="250px">
**[[Waiākea]]
File:Downtown Kona, Hawaii.jpg|Downtown [[Kailua, Hawaii County, Hawaii|Kona]]
**Wainaku
File:Downtown Hilo, Hawaii.jpg|Downtown [[Hilo, Hawaii|Hilo]]
**Pana{{okina}}ewa
</gallery><!--bgcolor="#FFFFFF"-->
*[[Holualoa, Hawaii|Hōlualoa]]
*[[Honalo, Hawaii|Honalo]]
*[[Honaunau-Napoopoo, Hawaii|Hōnaunau-Nāpo{{okina}}opo{{okina}}o]]
*[[Honokaa, Hawaii|Honoka{{okina}}a]]
*[[Honomu, Hawaii|Honomū]]
*[[Kahaluu-Keauhou, Hawaii|Kahalu{{okina}}u-Keauhou]]
*[[Kailua-Kona, Hawaii|Kailua-Kona]] (Kona)
| width="30%" align="left" valign="top" |
*[[Kalaoa, Hawaii|Kalaoa]]
*[[Kalapana, Hawaii|Kalapana]]
*[[Kapaau, Hawaii|Kapaau]]
*[[Keaau, Hawaii|Kea{{okina}}au]]
**[[Ainaloa, Hawaii|Ainaloa]]
**[[Hawaiian Paradise Park, Hawaii|Hawaiian Paradise Park]]
**[[Orchidlands Estates, Hawaii|Orchidlands Estates]]
*[[Kealakekua, Hawaii|Kealakekua]]
*[[Kukuihaele, Hawaii|Kukuihaele]]
*[[Kurtistown, Hawaii|Kurtistown]]
*[[Waimea, Hawaii County, Hawaii|Waimea]] (Kamuela Post Office)
|}


== Economy ==
== Colleges and universities ==
[[Sugarcane]] was the backbone of the island economy for more than a century. In the mid-20th century, [[Sugar plantations in Hawaii|sugarcane plantations]] began to downsize, and in 1995 the island's last plantation closed.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/08/09/us/as-sugar-fades-hawaii-seeks-a-new-cash-crop.html|title=As Sugar Fades Hawaii Seeks a New Cash Crop|last=Goldberg|first=Carey|date=August 9, 1996|work=The New York Times|access-date=April 19, 2019|archive-date=19 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419234559/https://www.nytimes.com/1996/08/09/us/as-sugar-fades-hawaii-seeks-a-new-cash-crop.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[University of Hawaii at Hilo|University of Hawai{{okina}}i at Hilo]]
*[[University of the Nations]]
*[[Hawaii Community College|Hawai{{okina}}i Community College]]


Most of the island's economy depends on [[Tourism in Hawaii|tourism]], centered primarily in resort areas on the western coast of the island in the North [[Kona District, Hawaii|Kona]] and South [[Kohala, Hawaii|Kohala]] districts. [[Sustainable tourism]] is increasing.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Cultra|first=Shane|title=The Importance of Island Ecotourism in Hawaii {{!}} bigisland.org|url=https://bigisland.org/importance-of-island-ecotourism-in-hawaii/|access-date=2022-03-10|archive-date=17 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220117094037/https://bigisland.org/importance-of-island-ecotourism-in-hawaii/|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Transportation==


Diversified agriculture is a growth sector. Major crops include [[Macadamia|macadamia nuts]], [[papaya]], flowers, tropical and temperate vegetables, [[aquaculture]], and [[coffee bean]]s. The island's [[Orchidaceae|orchid]] production is the state's largest.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Chadwick|first=Arthur|date=April 24, 2015|title=How Hawaii became known as 'Orchid Isle'|url=https://journalnow.com/how-hawaii-became-known-as-orchid-isle/article_5898a853-e345-55f2-8aa4-3f11f42333ed.html|access-date=2022-03-10|website=Winston-Salem Journal|archive-date=31 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230731070700/https://journalnow.com/how-hawaii-became-known-as-orchid-isle/article_5898a853-e345-55f2-8aa4-3f11f42333ed.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The island is home to one of the United States' largest [[Ranch|cattle ranches]]: [[Parker Ranch]], on {{convert|175000|acre|km2|0}} in [[Waimea, Hawaii County, Hawaii|Waimea]].
Hawai'i has island-wide [[zero-fare public transport]] provided by Hele-On Bus<ref>[http://heleonbus.org/ Hele-On Bus website] retrieved 2009-045-08</ref>


The island is known for [[astronomy]], with numerous [[telescope]]s positioned on the summit of [[Mauna Kea]] at the [[Mauna Kea Observatories]], where atmospheric clarity is excellent and little [[light pollution]] intrudes.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Maunakea Observatories – a collaboration of independent institutions with telescopes located on Maunakea|url=https://www.maunakeaobservatories.org/|access-date=2022-03-10|archive-date=8 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308171746/https://www.maunakeaobservatories.org/|url-status=live}}</ref> Astronomy has become somewhat controversial, given accusations of mismanagement by the observatory manager, the University of Hawaii. The proposed addition of the [[Thirty Meter Telescope]] generated protests that stalled the project and led to the transfer of management responsibility to a Governor-appointed body.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ordonio|first=Cassie|date=2022-09-22|title=New Mauna Kea Stewards Will Need To Balance Astronomy And Cultural Values|url=https://www.civilbeat.org/2022/09/new-mauna-kea-stewards-will-need-to-balance-astronomy-and-cultural-values/|access-date=2024-02-24|website=Honolulu Civil Beat}}</ref>
Two commercial airports serve Hawai{{okina}}i Island:
* [[Hilo International Airport]]
* [[Kona International Airport]]


[[Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority|NELHA]] (Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority), a {{convert|675|acre|adj=on}} state developed site, is a green economic development [[Oceanography|ocean science]] and technology park on the west side of the island. It provides resources and facilities for energy and ocean-related research, education, and commercial activities in an environmentally sound and [[Cultural sensitivity|culturally sensitive]] manner. Business tenants on this coastal site include [[microalgae]] farms, [[aquaculture]], [[Solar energy|solar technology]] and marine [[Biotechnology|biotech]]. Tenants have access to three sets of pipelines delivering deep-sea water from a depth of up to {{convert|3000|ft}}, as well as pristine sea surface water and almost constant sunshine. A 2012 study by the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization reported that the total economic impact of activities at NELHA was $87.7&nbsp;million and created 583 jobs.<ref name="HERO on NELHA">{{Cite web|title=Economic Impact of the Natural Energy Laboratory Hawaii Authority Tenants on the State of Hawaii|publisher=University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization (UHERO)|date=18 May 2012|access-date=7 August 2014|url=http://nelha.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/NELHA-Tenants-Impact-Study-UHERO-2012_Color.pdf|location=Honolulu, HI|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140809213015/http://nelha.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/NELHA-Tenants-Impact-Study-UHERO-2012_Color.pdf|archive-date=9 August 2014}}</ref>
Major commercial ports are [[Hilo, Hawaii|Hilo]] on the East side and [[Kawaihae, Hawai'i|Kawaihae]] on the West side. Cruise ships also stop at [[Kailua, Hawaii County, Hawaii|Kailua-Kona]] on the West side,


== Transportation ==
==References==
[[File:Bus in Hilo, Hawaii.jpg|thumb|upright|Bus in Hilo]]
{{sisterlinks|Hawaii}}
===Notes===
{{reflist|2}}


===Bibliography===
=== Roads ===
Three routes connect the two major towns, [[Hilo, Hawaii|Hilo]] on the east coast and [[Kailua-Kona, Hawaii|Kailua-Kona]] on the west coast:<ref>{{Cite web|title=Maps|url=https://www.thisweekhawaii.com/|access-date=2024-02-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141107151807/http://www.thisweek.com/|archive-date=7 November 2014|website=Big Island Magazine}}</ref>
*MacDonald, G. A., and A. T. Abbott. 1970. ''Volcanoes in the Sea''. Univ. of Hawai{{okina}}i Press, Honolulu. 441 pages.
*State highways 19 & 190, the northern route via [[Waimea, Hawaii County, Hawaii|Waimea]]
*State highway 11, the southern route via [[Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park]]
*Saddle Road (aka the [[Daniel Inouye|Daniel K. Inouye]] Memorial highway), passing between [[Mauna Loa]] and [[Mauna Kea]]).


State highways 270 ([[Kawaihae, Hawaii|Kawaihae]] – [[Hawi, Hawaii|Hawi]]) and 180 (the "[[Kona coffee]] road", connect [[Honalo, Hawaii|Honalo]] to State highway 190), South Point Road (Highway 11 to [[Ka Lae|South Point]]), etc.
==External links==

<!--'''Note:''' Only news or resource guides! -->
The three Hawaii Scenic Byways are:
* The [http://www.westhawaiitoday.com/ West Hawaii Today]
*Mamalahoa Kona Heritage Center
* [http://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/ Hawaii Tribune-Herald] - East Hawai‘i Newspaper
*Royal Footsteps Along the Kona Coast
* [http://www.bigislandvideonews.com/ Big Island Video News] - video news for Hawai‘i island
*Kaʻu Scenic Byway – The Slopes of Mauna Loa
* [http://www.hawaiiweathertoday.com/ Hawaii Weather Today] - Glenn's daily Weather Narrative

* [http://www.pdc.org/ Pacific Disaster Center] - The Source for Daily Pacific Disaster News
[[Car rental|Rental car]] offices are at the international airports. [[taxicab|Taxi]] service is also available. Island-wide bus service is provided by the [[Hele-On Bus]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://heleonbus.org/|title=Hele-On Bus website|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090503091916/http://heleonbus.org/|archive-date=3 May 2009|access-date=April 8, 2009}}</ref>
{{-}}

=== Airports ===
Two commercial airports serve Hawaiʻi Island:
*[[Hilo International Airport]] (ITO)
*[[Kona International Airport]] (KOA)

The private airports are:
*[[Waimea-Kohala Airport]] (MUE)
*[[ʻUpolu Airport|Upolu Airport]] (UPP)

=== Seaports ===
The major commercial ports are [[Hilo, Hawaii|Hilo]] on the east side and [[Kawaihae, Hawaii|Kawaihae]] on the west side. Cruise ships often stop at [[Kailua-Kona, Hawaii|Kailua-Kona]] (90 times in 2017)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lovebigisland.com/all-itineraries/cruise-ship-passenger-itinerary/#list-cruise-ships-kona|title=List of cruise ships that visit Kailua Kona|publisher=lovebigisland|access-date=1 January 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170102080334/https://www.lovebigisland.com/all-itineraries/cruise-ship-passenger-itinerary/#list-cruise-ships-kona|archive-date=2 January 2017}}</ref> and Hilo (108 times in 2017).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lovebigisland.com/all-itineraries/cruise-ship-passenger-itinerary/#list-cruise-ships-hilo|title=List of cruise ships that visit Hilo|publisher=lovebigisland|access-date=1 January 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170102080334/https://www.lovebigisland.com/all-itineraries/cruise-ship-passenger-itinerary/#list-cruise-ships-hilo|archive-date=2 January 2017}}</ref>

[[File:Akaka Falls Hawaii.jpg|thumb|upright|[[ʻAkaka Falls State Park|ʻAkaka Falls]] on Kolekole Stream]]

== Tourism ==
=== Places of interest ===
[[File:Green turtles at an old lava flow and Hawaiian temple at background.jpg|thumb|[[Green sea turtle]] lying on an old lava flow; the background shows a Hawaiian temple, known as a "heiau" in the Hawaiian language.]]
[[File:ISS-38 Hawaiian Island chain.jpg|thumb|220px|Hawaii from space, 26 January 2014<ref>{{cite web|url=http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=82975|title=Hawaii: Image of the Day|date=29 January 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150110044108/http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=82975|archive-date=10 January 2015|access-date=4 April 2016}}</ref>]]

*[[ʻAkaka Falls State Park|Akaka Falls]], one of the tallest waterfalls on the island.
*[[Amy B. H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden]] houses many endangered endemic plants.
*[[East Hawaii Cultural Center|East Hawaiʻi Cultural Center]]
*[[Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden|Hawaiʻi Tropical Botanical Garden]]
*[[Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park]], comprising the active volcanoes Kīlauea and Mauna Loa
*[[Huliheʻe Palace]], a [[Hawaiian Kingdom|royal palace]] in Kailua-Kona
*[[ʻImiloa Astronomy Center]] in Hilo
*[[Ka Lae]], the southernmost point in the United States
*[[Laupāhoehoe, Hawaii|Laupāhoehoe]] Train Museum
*[[Lyman House Memorial Museum]] in Hilo
*[[Manuka State Wayside Park]]
*[[Mauna Kea Observatories]]
*[[Nani Mau Gardens]]
*[[Onizuka Center for International Astronomy]]
*[[Pacific Tsunami Museum]] overlooking Hilo Bay
*[[Panaʻewa Rainforest Zoo|Pana'ewa Rainforest Zoo]] in Hilo
*[[Pua Mau Place Arboretum and Botanical Garden]]
*[[Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park]]
*[[Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site|Puʻukoho'ā Heiau National Historic Site]], the site of one of the most significant [[heiau]] in Hawaii
*[[Rainbow Falls (Hawaii)|Rainbow Falls State Park]]
*[[Sadie Seymour Botanical Gardens]]
*[[Umauma Falls]]
*[[University of Hawaii at Hilo Botanical Gardens|University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Botanical Gardens]]
*[[Waipio Valley|Waipiʻo Valley]]
*[[Wao Kele o Puna]]
*[[World Botanical Gardens]]

===Hotels on the east coast===
The larger hotels on the east coast are:
*[[Grand Naniloa Hotel]], [[Hilo, Hawaii|Hilo]]
*[[Hilo Hawaiian Hotel]]
*[[Volcano House]], [[Kīlauea]]

===Hotels on the west coast===
The larger hotels on the west coast, from north ([[Puako, Hawaii|Puako]]) to south ([[:en:Captain Cook, Hawaii|Captain Cook]]):
*[[Mauna Kea Beach Hotel]]
*[[The Fairmont Orchid]]
*[[Waikoloa Beach#Hilton Waikoloa Village|Hilton Waikoloa Village]]
*[[Waikoloa Beach]] Marriott
*[[Four Seasons Resort Hualalai]]
*[[Royal Kona Resort]]
*[[Sheraton Hotels and Resorts Hawaii|Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa]] at [[Keauhou Bay]]
*[[Manago Hotel]]
*Mauna Lani Resort by Auberge

== Maps ==
<gallery widths="300px" heights="300px" perrow="2">
File:Hawaii national parks map.gif|National parks, mountains and cities on the island
File:Hawaii Island topographic map-en.svg|Topographic map of the island of Hawaii
File:HawaiiBigIsland2021OSM.png|Detailed map of the island of Hawaii
</gallery>
*[http:/upwiki/wikipedia/commons/2/29/Hawaii_Island_topographic_map_SMIL.svg Interactive 3D model for Chrome or Firefox]

{{anchor|Cities and towns}}

== See also ==
*[[National Register of Historic Places listings on the island of Hawaii]]
{{portalbar|Hawaii|Islands|Geography}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
{{sister project links|Hawaii|voy=Big Island}}
<!--======================== {{No more links}} ============================
| PLEASE BE CAUTIOUS IN ADDING MORE LINKS TO THIS ARTICLE. Wikipedia |
| is not a collection of links nor should it be used for advertising. |
| |
| Excessive or inappropriate links WILL BE DELETED. |
| See [[Wikipedia:External links]] & [[Wikipedia:Spam]] for details. |
| |
| If there are already plentiful links, please propose additions or |
| replacements on this article's discussion page, or submit your link |
| to the relevant category at the Open Directory Project (dmoz.org) |
| and link back to that category using the {{dmoz}} template. |
======================= {{No more links}} =============================-->
<!--'''Note:''' Only notable news or resource guides! -->
*[http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/ Official Hawaii County website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230607154301/http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/ |date=7 June 2023 }}
*[https://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm/index.htm Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park official website]
*[https://www.britannica.com/place/Hawaii-island-Hawaii Hawaii (island)] at ''[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]''
*[http://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/ ''Hawaii Tribune-Herald''] – official website of the ''[[Hawaii Tribune-Herald]]'', a daily newspaper in [[Hilo, Hawaii|Hilo]]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/19970329185939/http://www.westhawaiitoday.com/ ''West Hawaii Today''] – official website of ''[[West Hawaii Today]]''
*[https://www.nasa.gov/content/island-of-hawaii-from-the-international-space-station Island of Hawaii from the International Space Station] – NASA [[satellite image]], taken from the [[International Space Station]] on 28 February 2015
*{{commons-inline|Hawaii (island)}}
{{Clear}}
{{Hawaii County, Hawaii}}
{{Hawaiian volcanism}}
{{Hawaii}}
{{Hawaii}}


{{Authority control}}
{{coord|19|34|N|155|30|W|type:isle|display=title}}


[[Category:Hawaii (island)| ]]
[[Category:Hawaii (island)| ]]
[[Category:Geography of Hawaii (island)|*]]

[[Category:Geography of Hawaii County, Hawaii|*]]
[[af:Hawaiï (eiland)]]
[[Category:Islands of Hawaii]]
[[bg:Хаваи (остров)]]
[[ca:Illa de Hawaii]]
[[Category:Endemic Bird Areas]]
[[cs:Havaj (ostrov)]]
[[da:Hawaii (ø)]]
[[de:Hawaiʻi (Insel)]]
[[et:Hawaii saar]]
[[es:Isla de Hawái]]
[[eo:Hawaii (insulo)]]
[[fr:Hawaii (île)]]
[[gl:Illa de Hawaii]]
[[ko:하와이 섬]]
[[haw:Hawai‘i (mokupuni)]]
[[it:Isola di Hawaii]]
[[he:הוואי (אי)]]
[[lv:Havaja]]
[[lt:Havajai (sala)]]
[[nl:Hawaï (eiland)]]
[[ja:ハワイ島]]
[[no:Hawaii (øy)]]
[[pap:Hawaii (isla)]]
[[pl:Hawai'i]]
[[pt:Ilha Havai]]
[[ro:Hawaii (insulă)]]
[[ru:Гавайи (остров)]]
[[simple:Hawaii (island)]]
[[sk:Havaj (ostrov)]]
[[fi:Havaiji (saari)]]
[[sv:Hawaii (ö)]]
[[uk:Гаваї (острів)]]
[[zh:夏威夷島]]

Latest revision as of 04:35, 3 December 2024

Hawaiʻi
Nickname: The Big Island, Moku o Keawe
Landsat mosaic, 1999–2001
Location in the state of Hawaii
Geography
LocationNorth Pacific Ocean
Coordinates19°36′N 155°30′W / 19.6°N 155.5°W / 19.6; -155.5
Area4,028 sq mi (10,430 km2)
Area rankLargest Hawaiian Island
Highest elevation13,803 ft (4207.2 m)[1]
Highest pointMauna Kea
Administration
United States
Symbols
FlowerRed Pua Lehua (ʻOhiʻa blossom)
ColorʻUlaʻula (red)
Largest settlementHilo
Demographics
Population200,629 (2020)
Pop. density49.8/sq mi (19.23/km2)
Additional information
Time zone

Hawaii (/həˈw.i/ hə-WY-ee; Hawaiian: Hawaiʻi Hawaiian pronunciation: [həˈvɐjʔi]) is the largest island in the United States, located in the eponymous state of Hawaii. It is the southeasternmost of the Hawaiian Islands, a chain of volcanic islands in the North Pacific Ocean. With an area of 4,028 square miles (10,430 km2), it has 63% of the Hawaiian archipelago's combined landmass. However, it has only 13% of the archipelago's population. The island of Hawaiʻi is the third largest island in Polynesia, behind the north and south islands of New Zealand.[2]

The island is often referred to as the Island of Hawaii or Hawaii Island to distinguish it from the state. It is also referred to as The Big Island, due to its size relative to the other islands. In Hawaiian, the island is sometimes called Moku o Keawe. The word keawe has several meanings. One definition, "southern cross", is said to be the name of an ancient chief.[3] Another definition is "the bearer" (ke-a-we).[4] Hawaii County is the local administrative unit.

As of the 2020 census, the population was 200,629.[5] The county seat and largest town is Hilo. Hawaiʻi County has no incorporated cities.[6]

History

[edit]
James Kealoha Beach, "Carlsmith Beach Park", in Hilo

Hawaii is allegedly named after Hawaiʻiloa, a legendary Polynesian navigator who is said to have discovered the island. Other accounts attribute the name to the legendary realm of Hawaiki, a place from which some Polynesians are said to have originated, the place where they transition to in the afterlife, or the realm of the gods and goddesses. The indigenous Hawaiian name of the island was originally rendered and published as "Owyhee" or "Owhyhee".

Hawaii was the home island of Paiʻea Kamehameha, later known as Kamehameha the Great. Kamehameha forcibly united most of the Hawaiian islands under his rule in 1795, after several years of war, and gave the kingdom and the island chain the name of his native island.[7] In 1822, missionary William Ellis arrived and was one of a party that completed a tour of the island, descriptions of which were later published in his journal.[8]

Geology and geography

[edit]
Aerial view, 3D computer-generated image

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 5,086 square miles (13,170 km2), of which 4,028 sq mi (10,430 km2) is land and 1,058 sq mi (2,740 km2) (20.8%) is water.[9] The county's land area comprises 62.7 percent of the state's land area. It is the highest percentage by any county in the United States. Delaware's Sussex County comes in second at 48.0 percent, while Rhode Island's Providence County is third at 39.6 percent.

At its greatest dimension, the island is 93 miles (150 km) across. Measured from its sea floor base to its highest peak, Mauna Kea at 10,000 metres (33,000 ft) is the world's tallest mountain, taller than even Mount Everest, since the base of Mount Everest is above sea level.[10]

Ka Lae, the southernmost point in the 50 states of the United States, is on Hawaii. The nearest landfall to the south is the Line Islands. To the northwest of the island of Hawaii is the island of Maui, whose Haleakalā volcano is visible from Hawaii across the Alenuihaha Channel.

A view of the Kohala Coast and adjacent volcanoes, taken from the slopes of Kohala Mountains about 6 miles (10 km) northwest of Kawaihae. From left to right: Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, and Hualalai.

Volcanism

[edit]
The five shield volcanoes
Steam plume as Kīlauea red lava enters the ocean at three Waikupanaha and one Ki lava ocean entries. Some surface lava is seen too. The image was taken on 16 April 2008.

The island of Hawaiʻi is built from five separate shield volcanoes that erupted somewhat sequentially, one overlapping the other. These are (from oldest to youngest):[11]

Geological evidence from exposures of old surfaces on the south and west flanks of Mauna Loa led to the proposal that two ancient volcanic shields (named Ninole and Kulani) were all but buried by the younger Mauna Loa.[12] Geologists now consider these "outcrops" to be part of Mauna Loa.

Based on geochemical (including trace elements) and isotope differences in their eruptive products, Hawaiian volcanoes fall into two families. The differences are believed due to their separate magma systems. Hualālai and Mauna Loa are members of one family, while Kohala, Mauna Kea, and Kilauea are members of the other.[13]

Because Mauna Loa and Kīlauea are active volcanoes, the island is growing. Between January 1983 and September 2002, lava flows added 543 acres (220 ha) to the island. Lava flowing from Kīlauea destroyed several towns, including Kapoho in 1960 and again in 2018, and Kalapana and Kaimū in 1990. In 1987 lava filled in "Queen's Bath", a large, L-shaped, freshwater pool in the Kalapana area.[14] Another 875 acres were added between May and July 2018 by the 2018 lower Puna eruption.[15][16] Mauna Loa erupted in 2022, 38 years after the prior activity.[17]

Some geologists also count two undersea volcanoes in the base of the island.[18] Māhukona off the northwest corner of the island has eroded below the ocean surface.[19] Kamaʻehuakanaloa (formerly Lōʻihi) is under water 22 miles (35 km) southeast of Hawaii. It is an erupting seamount that has grown to reach 3,200 feet (980 m) below the ocean surface, and it is forecast to break the surface in 10,000 to 100,000 years.[20]

Great Crack

[edit]
Photo showing clouds of steam surrounding lava that is partly black and partly glowing orange
Lava entering the Pacific at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park in April 2005, increasing the size of the island

The Great Crack is an eight-mile-long (13,000 m), 60-foot-wide (18 m) and 60-foot-deep (18 m) fissure in the island, in the district of Ka'u. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the Great Crack is the result of crustal dilation from magmatic intrusions into the southwest rift zone of Kilauea.[21] While neither the earthquake of 1868 nor that of 1975 caused a measurable change in the Great Crack, lava welled out of its lower 6 miles (10 km) in 1823.[21]

Trails, rock walls, and archaeological sites from as old as the 12th century exist near the Great Crack. In August 2018, the National Park Service purchased nearly 2,000 acres (810 ha) of private land adjacent to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, claiming that the area had important geological features to be studied and preserved.[22]

Hilina Slump

[edit]
Photo of coastline with 10 people standing or walking on the beach and palm trees in background
Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach Park
Laʻaloa Bay, also known as "Magic Sands", located in Kailua-Kona

The Hilina Slump is a 4,760-cubic-mile (19,800 km3) section of the south slope of Kīlauea that is moving away from the island. Between 1990 and 1993, Global Positioning System (GPS) measurements showed a southward displacement of about 4 inches (10 cm) per year.[23] Undersea measurements show a "bench" that has formed a buttress and that this buttress may tend to reduce the likelihood of catastrophic detachment.[24][25]

Earthquakes and tsunamis

[edit]
Anaehoʻomalu Beach panorama

On 2 April 1868, an earthquake with a magnitude estimated between 7.25 and 7.9 rocked the southeast coast of Hawaii. This was the most destructive earthquake in the Hawaii's recorded history.[26] It triggered a landslide on Mauna Loa, 5 miles (8 km) north of Pahala, killing 31 people. A tsunami claimed 46 more lives. The villages of Punaluʻu, Nīnole, Kawaʻa, Honuʻapo, and Keauhou Landing were severely damaged. The tsunami reportedly rolled over the tops of the coconut trees up to 60 feet (18 m) high, and it reached inland a distance of a quarter of a mile (400 meters) in some places.[27]

On 29 November 1975, a 37-mile-wide (60 km) section of the Hilina Slump dropped 11.5 feet (3.5 m) and slid 26 feet (7.9 m) toward the ocean. This movement caused a 7.2 magnitude earthquake and a 48-foot-high (15 m) tsunami. Oceanfront property was washed off its foundations in Punaluu. Two deaths were reported at Halape, and 19 other people were injured.[28]

The island suffered damage from a tsunami caused by earthquakes in Alaska on 1 April 1946, and in Chile on 23 May 1960. Downtown Hilo was damaged by both tsunamis, with many lives lost. Just north of Hilo, Laupāhoehoe lost 16 schoolchildren and five teachers in the tsunami of 1946.[29]

In March 2011, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake off the east coast of Japan again created a tsunami that caused minor damage in Hawaii. The estimated damage to public buildings was about US$3 million.[30] In the Kona area this tsunami washed a house into Kealakekua Bay, destroyed a yacht club and tour boat offices in Keauhou Bay, caused extensive damage in Kailua Kona, flooded the ground floor of the King Kamehameha Hotel,[31] and temporarily closed the Kona Village Resort.[32]

In early May 2018, hundreds of small earthquakes were detected on Kīlauea's East rift zone, leading officials to issue evacuation warnings. On 3 May 2018, the volcano erupted in Puna after a 5.0 earthquake earlier in the day, causing evacuations of Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens subdivisions.[33][34] A seemingly related 5.3 magnitude quake and a subsequent 6.9 magnitude earthquake occurred on 4 May.[35][36]

Volcanic fog

[edit]
Mobile atmospheric volcanic fog measuring station in Hawaii

Vog (volcanic fog) can envelop the island of Hawaii when Kilauea is active. Since the termination of volcanic activity in September 2018, vog has largely disappeared on the west side of the island.[37] The gas plumes created a blanket of vog that the trade winds mostly deflect toward the Kona coast. Vog can damage the health of plants, humans, and other animals. Most of the aerosols are acidic and of a size where they can remain in the lungs to damage them. Flu-like symptoms and general lethargy are reported, and are especially pronounced in people with respiratory conditions.[38][39][40][41]

National protected areas

[edit]
Lehua blossoms, Hawaiʻi

The island hosts many specialized ecosystems/microclimates, including many protected by federal designation:


Economy

[edit]

Sugarcane was the backbone of the island economy for more than a century. In the mid-20th century, sugarcane plantations began to downsize, and in 1995 the island's last plantation closed.[42]

Most of the island's economy depends on tourism, centered primarily in resort areas on the western coast of the island in the North Kona and South Kohala districts. Sustainable tourism is increasing.[43]

Diversified agriculture is a growth sector. Major crops include macadamia nuts, papaya, flowers, tropical and temperate vegetables, aquaculture, and coffee beans. The island's orchid production is the state's largest.[44] The island is home to one of the United States' largest cattle ranches: Parker Ranch, on 175,000 acres (708 km2) in Waimea.

The island is known for astronomy, with numerous telescopes positioned on the summit of Mauna Kea at the Mauna Kea Observatories, where atmospheric clarity is excellent and little light pollution intrudes.[45] Astronomy has become somewhat controversial, given accusations of mismanagement by the observatory manager, the University of Hawaii. The proposed addition of the Thirty Meter Telescope generated protests that stalled the project and led to the transfer of management responsibility to a Governor-appointed body.[46]

NELHA (Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority), a 675-acre (273 ha) state developed site, is a green economic development ocean science and technology park on the west side of the island. It provides resources and facilities for energy and ocean-related research, education, and commercial activities in an environmentally sound and culturally sensitive manner. Business tenants on this coastal site include microalgae farms, aquaculture, solar technology and marine biotech. Tenants have access to three sets of pipelines delivering deep-sea water from a depth of up to 3,000 feet (910 m), as well as pristine sea surface water and almost constant sunshine. A 2012 study by the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization reported that the total economic impact of activities at NELHA was $87.7 million and created 583 jobs.[47]

Transportation

[edit]
Bus in Hilo

Roads

[edit]

Three routes connect the two major towns, Hilo on the east coast and Kailua-Kona on the west coast:[48]

State highways 270 (KawaihaeHawi) and 180 (the "Kona coffee road", connect Honalo to State highway 190), South Point Road (Highway 11 to South Point), etc.

The three Hawaii Scenic Byways are:

  • Mamalahoa Kona Heritage Center
  • Royal Footsteps Along the Kona Coast
  • Kaʻu Scenic Byway – The Slopes of Mauna Loa

Rental car offices are at the international airports. Taxi service is also available. Island-wide bus service is provided by the Hele-On Bus.[49]

Airports

[edit]

Two commercial airports serve Hawaiʻi Island:

The private airports are:

Seaports

[edit]

The major commercial ports are Hilo on the east side and Kawaihae on the west side. Cruise ships often stop at Kailua-Kona (90 times in 2017)[50] and Hilo (108 times in 2017).[51]

ʻAkaka Falls on Kolekole Stream

Tourism

[edit]

Places of interest

[edit]
Green sea turtle lying on an old lava flow; the background shows a Hawaiian temple, known as a "heiau" in the Hawaiian language.
Hawaii from space, 26 January 2014[52]

Hotels on the east coast

[edit]

The larger hotels on the east coast are:

Hotels on the west coast

[edit]

The larger hotels on the west coast, from north (Puako) to south (Captain Cook):

Maps

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Summit USGS 1977". NGS Data Sheet. National Geodetic Survey, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, United States Department of Commerce. Retrieved August 18, 2010.
  2. ^ "List of the Islands of Polynesia". Archived from the original on January 1, 2017.
  3. ^ Mary Māmaka Kaiao Kuleana kope. "Hawaiian Dictionary". University of Hawaii Press. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  4. ^ Andrews-Parker. "Nā Puke Wehewehe a Pau (Andrews Dictionary)". University of Hawaii Press. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  5. ^ "HAWAII: 2020 Census". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on April 4, 2022. Retrieved April 4, 2022.
  6. ^ "2010 Geographic Terms and Concepts – Place". census.gov. Archived from the original on February 19, 2014.
  7. ^ Homans, Margaret; Munich, Adrienne (October 2, 1997). Remaking Queen Victoria. Cambridge University Press. p. 147. ISBN 978-0-521-57485-3. Archived from the original on July 31, 2023. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  8. ^ William Ellis (1823). A Journal of a Tour around Hawaii, the Largest of the Sandwich Islands. Crocker and Brewster, New York, republished 2004, Mutual Publishing, Honolulu. ISBN 1-56647-605-4.
  9. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Archived from the original on March 5, 2012. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  10. ^ "Highest Mountain in the World". Archived from the original on April 2, 2016. Retrieved April 4, 2016.
  11. ^ "Frequently Asked Questions – Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park". U.S. National Park Service. Archived from the original on August 6, 2017. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
  12. ^ MacDonald, G. A.; Abbott, A. T. (1970). Volcanoes in the Sea. Honolulu: University of Hawaiʻi Press. ISBN 0-87022-495-6. Archived from the original on July 31, 2023. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  13. ^ Chang, Julie (April 14, 2022). "Volcano Watch – From Mauna Loa or Kilauea? A Geologic Whodunnit". Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
  14. ^ Global Volcanism Program | Report on Kilauea (United States) – March 1987, Global Volcanism Program, doi:10.5479/si.gvp.sean198703-332010, archived from the original on March 10, 2022, retrieved March 10, 2022
  15. ^ "Photo & Video Chronology". United States Geological Survey. June 13, 2018. Archived from the original on July 13, 2018. Retrieved February 23, 2020.
  16. ^ "East Rift Zone map". United States Geological Survey. August 7, 2018. Archived from the original on August 8, 2018. Retrieved February 23, 2020.
  17. ^ "Thousands flock to Mauna Loa for selfies during dramatic eruption". The Guardian. November 30, 2022. Archived from the original on January 9, 2023. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  18. ^ Moore, James G.; Clague, David A. (November 1992), "Volcano growth and evolution of the island of Hawaii", Bulletin of the Geological Society of America, 104 (11): 1471–84, Bibcode:1992GSAB..104.1471M, doi:10.1130/0016-7606(1992)104<1471:VGAEOT>2.3.CO;2, p. 1471.
  19. ^ Garcia, Michael; Hanano, Diane (March 2008). "Age, geology, geophysics, and geochemistry of Mahukona Volcano, Hawai'i" (PDF). Bulletin of Volcanology. 74 (6): 1445–63. Bibcode:2012BVol...74.1445G. doi:10.1007/s00445-012-0602-4. S2CID 53118897. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 26, 2015. Retrieved December 14, 2016.
  20. ^ "Loihi". volcanodiscovery.com. Archived from the original on April 1, 2019. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  21. ^ a b "Hawaiian Volcano Observatory". United States Geological Survey. July 16, 1998. Archived from the original on May 10, 2009. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
  22. ^ Burnett, John (September 14, 2018). "National Park Service acquires 'Great Crack Property' in foreclosure sale". Hawaii Tribune-Herald. Archived from the original on October 18, 2020. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  23. ^ Owen, Susan; Segal, Paul; Freymueller, Jeff; et al. (1995). "Rapid Deformation of the South Flank of Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii". Science. 267 (5202): 1328–32. Bibcode:1995Sci...267.1328O. doi:10.1126/science.267.5202.1328. PMID 17812606. S2CID 30320632. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020. Retrieved June 28, 2019.
  24. ^ Morgan, J. K.; Moore, G. F.; Clague, D. A. (2003). "Slope failure and volcanic spreading along the submarine south flank of Kilauea volcano, Hawaii". Journal of Geophysical Research. 108 (B9): 2415. Bibcode:2003JGRB..108.2415M. doi:10.1029/2003JB002411.
  25. ^ "Hawaiian Landslides – Slope failure on Kilauea's submarine south flank (Subsection)". Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute. Archived from the original on May 27, 2009. Retrieved September 15, 2009.
  26. ^ "Hawaiian Volcano Observatory". United States Geological Survey. October 26, 2006. Archived from the original on August 25, 2009. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
  27. ^ Walter C. Dudley (1998). Tsunami! (second ed.). University of Hawaii Press. pp. 222–24. ISBN 978-0-8248-1969-9.
  28. ^ Pararas-Carayannis, George. "Hawaii – Earthquake and Tsunami of 29 November 1975 in the Hawaiian Islands". drgeorgepc.com. Archived from the original on January 1, 2017.
  29. ^ "April 1, 1946: Have we learned enough since tsunami that killed 159 in Hawai'i?". the.honoluluadvertiser.com. The Honolulu Advertiser. Archived from the original on March 8, 2016.
  30. ^ Nakaso, Dan (March 14, 2011). "Tsunami damage estimate for Hawaii now tens of millions". Star Advertiser. Archived from the original on March 15, 2011. Retrieved March 15, 2011.
  31. ^ "King Kamehameha Hotel is new and improved after last year's tsunami". KHON2. Archived from the original on January 8, 2014. Retrieved April 1, 2012.
  32. ^ "Tsunami damage forces closing of Kona Village Resort". Archived from the original on January 1, 2017.
  33. ^ "Kilauea volcano in Hawaii could erupt after hundreds of small earthquakes". CBS News. May 2, 2018. Archived from the original on January 14, 2021. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
  34. ^ "Ige signs emergency proclamation following Leilani lava eruption". hawaiitribune-herald.com. Hawaii Tribune-Herald. May 4, 2018. Archived from the original on May 5, 2018. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
  35. ^ "Overnight, earthquakes and lava become the new norm on Hawaii island". May 3, 2018. Archived from the original on June 21, 2018. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
  36. ^ "M 6.9 – 16 km SW of Leilani Estates, Hawaii". United States Geological Survey. Archived from the original on May 5, 2018. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
  37. ^ Armstrong, Jason (January 2, 2019). "The VOG is Gone for the First Time in Decades". The Civil Beat. Archived from the original on April 16, 2019. Retrieved April 19, 2019.
  38. ^ "Frequently Asked Questions About Volcanic Smog (Vog)". Archived from the original on May 27, 2010. Retrieved December 29, 2009. on USGS web site. U.S. Geological Service. Retrieved 29 December 2009.
  39. ^ "Hawaiian Volcano Observatory". Archived from the original on February 5, 2012. Retrieved July 4, 2015. on USGS web site.
  40. ^ "AirNow". Archived from the original on July 5, 2015. Retrieved July 4, 2015. on "Airnow" US Government web site.
  41. ^ "David y. Ige". Archived from the original on February 22, 2012. Retrieved July 4, 2015. on State of Hawaii Office of the Governor web site.
  42. ^ Goldberg, Carey (August 9, 1996). "As Sugar Fades Hawaii Seeks a New Cash Crop". The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 19, 2019. Retrieved April 19, 2019.
  43. ^ Cultra, Shane. "The Importance of Island Ecotourism in Hawaii | bigisland.org". Archived from the original on January 17, 2022. Retrieved March 10, 2022.
  44. ^ Chadwick, Arthur (April 24, 2015). "How Hawaii became known as 'Orchid Isle'". Winston-Salem Journal. Archived from the original on July 31, 2023. Retrieved March 10, 2022.
  45. ^ "Maunakea Observatories – a collaboration of independent institutions with telescopes located on Maunakea". Archived from the original on March 8, 2022. Retrieved March 10, 2022.
  46. ^ Ordonio, Cassie (September 22, 2022). "New Mauna Kea Stewards Will Need To Balance Astronomy And Cultural Values". Honolulu Civil Beat. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
  47. ^ "Economic Impact of the Natural Energy Laboratory Hawaii Authority Tenants on the State of Hawaii" (PDF). Honolulu, HI: University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization (UHERO). May 18, 2012. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 9, 2014. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
  48. ^ "Maps". Big Island Magazine. Archived from the original on November 7, 2014. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
  49. ^ "Hele-On Bus website". Archived from the original on May 3, 2009. Retrieved April 8, 2009.
  50. ^ "List of cruise ships that visit Kailua Kona". lovebigisland. Archived from the original on January 2, 2017. Retrieved January 1, 2017.
  51. ^ "List of cruise ships that visit Hilo". lovebigisland. Archived from the original on January 2, 2017. Retrieved January 1, 2017.
  52. ^ "Hawaii: Image of the Day". January 29, 2014. Archived from the original on January 10, 2015. Retrieved April 4, 2016.
[edit]