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Hilo, on the east side of the island, wet and tropical, with more than 150 inches of rain annually.
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Hilo, with a population of appx. 50,000 is the largest city on the Big Island and the County Seat.
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Kailua-Kona on the west side gets less than 10 inches of annual precipitation.
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Most of the Big Island’s major resorts are located in the Kailua-Kona area.
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The Big Island is twice the size of all other Hawaiian islands combined, and it’s still growing.
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Estimated to be 800,000 years old, Hawai‘i (the "Big Island") is the youngest island in the Hawaiian archipelago.
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Located somewhat near Hilo, Kilauea is the world’s most active volcano. Kilauea has been feeding rivers of lava since January 1983, adding more real estate to the island every day. |
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Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, which includes Kilauea, is one of the state’s most popular visitor attractions, offering hiking, camping. |
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Measured from the sea floor, Mauna Kea on the Big Island stands 33,476 feet high (13,796 feet from sea level), making it the tallest mountain on earth. |
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Mauna Kea, at 13,796 feet above sea level is the highest point in the State of Hawaii. |
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The Big Island's Mauna Kea Observatory houses the world's largest telescope.
• Ka Lae, also known as "South Point," is the southernmost point in the United States, located 18:54:49 N, 155:41:00 W. |
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Kamehameha I, the great king who united all the Hawaiian islands under his rule was born in North Kohala, near the northernmost tip on the Big Island. Kamehameha died in Kailua-Kona on May 8, 1819. |
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Big Island Special Days
In addition to the federal and religious holidays that would be celebrated throughout the United States, Hawaii has quite a few additional holidays and fun events:
Whale Watching Season - Late November through April
Chinese New Year (Varies Jan & Feb.)
Prince Kuhio Day - March 26*
Merrie Monarch Festival (Hilo) April
O-bon Dances - (Jodo Missions) July thru August
Hawaii Admission Day - 3rd Friday in August*
Big Island County Fair - Last weekend in September
Aloha Festivals - Mid-October (2 weeks)
Halloween - October 31
First Night (New Years Eve) December 31
*State & County offices, banks, and schools are closed.
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