Hawaii is the youngest of the Hawaiian Islands and like the others, has grown from volcanic activity.  An Island of dramatic contrasts; from the dizzy heights of Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa and Kilauea, to the beautiful beaches of Kona and South Kohala.

The height of the mountains through the central area of Hawaii creates a divide in the weather, with the western side of the island dry, and the eastern side wetter and more lush. The mountains of Hawaii rise to nearly 14,000 feet from sea level and almost 33,500 feet from the ocean floor making them comparable with the highest peaks of the European Alps.  On the West coast, the volcanic slopes stretch down to the resorts and sunny white-sand beaches of Kona, South Kohala, Hapuna State Beach Park and Magic Sands Beach.  Some distance behind the resorts and beaches lie coffee farms from which the world famous Kona coffee comes from.  This volcanic landscape is studded with beautiful emerald golf courses, lush tropical forests, plantations and farms as well as world famous tourist attractions.  Beaches bordered by swaying palms slip into clear warm water where exquisitely coloured fish flash in and out of coral reefs.

To the south of the Island, the lava flows that reach the sea have given rise to beaches that vary in colour from black to brilliant white or green, with sand tinted by volcanic minerals.  South of Hilo, in the Puna Region, visitors are able to watch in safety volcanic action at first hand.  Volcano National Park and Kilauea Volcano will leave you in awe of Mother Nature, as you get very close to the lava flows and the volcano craters.  There are walking trails with look-out platforms in many places, to get the best view of the unpredictable volcanic activity. Rangers from the Hawaii Volcano National Park are stationed around the park to provide spectators with information and direct them to the best vantage points. You can also view the lava flows and volcanoes by air, on helicopter sightseeing trips, or lava flow boat trips, like those offered by Lava Ocean, to get up close and personal with the lava as it sizzles and steams into the ocean. For up-to-date information, visit the Hawaii Big Island website, for current activity reports, photos, movies and lots of information.

Apart from the volcanos, there are also many other attractions and activities to enjoy on Hawaii. There are a large number of golf courses, museums, gardens and parks to enjoy as well as numerous walking and organised tours, by many varied means of transport and a world famous Observatory.

The story of Hawaii supplies more of the pieces that go to make the jigsaw of interlocking events that have shaped Hawaiian history.  The often recorded King Kamehameha the Great was born here.  Hilo, Hawaii's second largest and  the wettest city and the island main port, is also the heart of the world's orchid business with about 30,000 species grown here.

The largest family-owned ranch in the US is on the Big Island. Founded in 1847, The Parker Ranch's 225,000 acres are now home to 50,000 cattle and 400 horses.  In 1989 The Parker Ranch and home of Richard Smart, the sixth generation owner, were opened to the public, and guided tours are now available for visitors.