Welcome to the Big Island!
Its official name is Hawaii; however, since that is also the name of the state, residents commonly refer to this island as the Big Island, and for obvious reasons. Over 4,000 square miles and nearly 14,000 feet high, the Big Island is bigger than all the other seven Hawaiian Islands combined, and thanks to its active volcano, it still gets bigger every year. One of the few Hawaiian Islands that has an accessible road encircling it, you can drive around the entire island and end up right where you started in about six hours (that's without stopping). But where the Big Island really shines is off the beaten path and in some unexpected places. Come and explore the Big Island!
Some Big Island Tips:
1. Strong Sun--Because of Hawaii's close proximity to the equator, the sun's rays shine stronger in the Islands than in most places. Make sure to wear sunscreen and/or other clothing protection whenever exposed to the sun.
2. East and West--As in all the Hawaiian Islands, the east side of the Big Island is usually more cool and wet whereas the west side tends to be more warm and dry. Therefore, generally, you'll find beautiful waterfalls and lush forests on the east and good beach weather and fantastic sunsets on the west.
3. Hawaiian Time--As the most isolated island chain in the world, Hawaii has its own time zone called the Hawaiian Pacific Time Zone. During daylight savings, it is 3 hours earlier than West Coast time. When daylight savings is not in effect, it is 2 hours earlier than West Coast time.
4. Temperature/Seasons-- Hawaii has two seasons: Warmer and Cooler. In general, similar to its ocean temperatures, most of Hawaii hovers around 75-80 degrees during the day and cools 5-10 degrees at night. In the cooler season (roughly November to April), the temperature drops a few degrees and in the warmer months (roughly May to October) it rises a few degrees. Otherwise, the main temperature difference is found in elevation levels. For every 1000 feet, the temperature drops approximately three degrees. You may need a light jacket and warmer clothes, especially if exploring higher elevations.
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