Understaning The Big Island of Hawaii
If you’re looking for a unique getaway, a warm-weather destination that offers both classic tropical experiences and unique geological landscapes, the Big Island of Hawaii is a fantastic option.
Renting a vacation home on the Big Island of Hawaii is a rewarding experience, because it has so much excellent inventory. Out of all the Hawaiian Islands, the Big Island perhaps offers the most options in terms of vacation homes and condos located in resort-zoned areas that provide both private living experiences and access to resort amenities, such as golf and spas.
Whether you are looking for a Family-Friendly Class rental (nice, but not luxury) or a Luxury Vacation Rental, you’ll find plenty here.
Land of Microclimates
Hawaii Island, known colloquially as The Big Island, is unique in that it is home to many microclimates.
- It can be both wet and lush, and dry and arid.
- It can have snow-capped mountains and hot beaches within sight of each other.
- Its world-famous volcano, Kilauea, has created other-worldly landscapes in what is arguably America’s most unique and dramatic national park – Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
Understanding the various climate zones and landscapes is key to renting a vacation home the Big Island. This guide will help you decide which area is right for you.
Fun Facts About the Big Island
- The Big Island is the largest island in the U.S.
- The most southern point in the U.S. is located on the Big Island of Hawaii island, at Naalehu.
- Parker Ranch, in the rolling prairie-like center of the island, is one of the largest privately held ranches in the U.S., with both cattle and horses.
- Hilo, on the southeastern coast, is one of the wettest places in the U.S.
- The Big Island is home to the annual Ironman competition where contestants swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles and run a marathon – in a single day!
Home of a Goddess - The Hawaiians believe that the goddess Madam Pele calls Kilauea and the Big Island home. Many visitors say that they can feel her presence here.
Your First Impression of the Big Island
Regions of the Big Island
These are not exactly reflecting the formal regions, more the bulk
The Big Island is well served by air. You can find nonstop flights from the West Coast to Kailua-Kona, gateway to the resort-rich Kohala Coast, as well as connect via Honolulu. Hilo, on the wetter, eastern side of the island, is also served, though with less frequency, as it is less developed in terms of tourism. It is the Kona side that has the great views and the bountiful sunshine.
- Kona (Kailua-Kona) – Airport, Tourist-Class Hotels, Costco, Businesses/Services
- Kohala Coast - Resorts, Golf, Infrastructure, Sunny/Dry
- Hamakua – Lush, Rainy, Rural
- Up-Country (the “Saddle” and the higher elevations of Kohala and other areas) – High-Country, Rolling Prairie-Like Feel, Cool
- Hilo – Main Town, Historic, Shops & Restaurants, Airport
- South – Green, Wild
- Volcano – Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
The Big Island, as its names suggests, is big – huge actually; it covers over 4,000 square miles and is 92-miles long and 72-miles wide.
Its landscapes are varied, from arid lava fields to lush, waterfall striped forests. It has both coastal zones and up-country zones that are much cooler than the land at sea level; you can go from sea level to 14,000 ft. in a matter of hours. It’s no surprise why the Iron Man competition is held on this island! Because of this, it’s helpful to think about the Big Island in these (rough) general terms.
- Wet Zone (East Side - Hilo)
- Dry Zone (West Side - Kona)
- Cool Zone (Upper Elevations – Waimea/Parker Ranch)
In order to help you navigate this unique and giant island, we have split the Big Island into seven zones, highlighting some of the dominant features of each. We’ll start where most visitors to the Big Island land, the sunny, drier western side of the island.
We will start with the region where most of the resorts and our vacation rentals are located, on the upper west coast and work our way counterclockwise around the island.
Kohala Coast (Dry Zone) – Best Region for Vacation Rentals
To the north of Kona International Airport, where most visitors arrive, along what is known as the Kohala Coast, you will find resort areas that are home to some of Hawaii’s finest hotels and vacation villas. This is what’s known as the leeward (west) side of the island. The resorts boast gorgeous and often well-served beaches and world-famous golf courses.
This is the best region on the Big Island for vacation rentals (in our humble opinion), because they have the first-class resort amenities that we all want on Hawaiian vacation, think spas, golf and serviced beaches, combined with private vacation home living.
Driving north from Kona International Airport, through the many lava fields, you will have towering Mauna Kea to your right and the Pacific Ocean down to your left. It’s a stark landscape and you might even see some goats roaming the lava fields.
You will hit resort areas in the following order driving from the airport:
- Hualalai (famous for its Four Seasons resort)
- Waikoloa
- Mauna Lani
- Mauna Kea (about 50-minutes north of Kailua-Kona).
Between Mauna Lani and Mauna Kea is the charming neighborhood of Puako, where we have a charming oceanfront villa that’s perfect for families.
To learn more about this area, in particular vacation villas, you can read this article that discusses the stretch from Waikoloa to Mauna Kea, including places to eat (Lava Lava Beach club in Waikoloa gets our thumbs up) and recreate.
Kailua-Kona (Less Dry) – Airport, Services/Shopping, and Kona Coffee
The southern region of the Big Island’s west coast is anchored by the town of Kailua-Kona, which lends its name “Kona” to the coast. Here in Hawaii, you will generally find the weather to be sunnier and drier at sea-level on the leeward sides of the islands. However, higher up in elevation, especially as you move towards the southern tip of the island, the climate is more humid and allows farmers to grow world-famous Kona coffee.
Kailua-Kona, where Kona International Airport is located, sits east of Hualalai Volcano along the gorgeous rugged coastline.
I remember with great vividness the first time I landed at Kailua-Kona on the Big Island some 20 years ago. The sight of pitch-black landscapes running into the blue Pacific was a marvel, even though we had traveled there expressly to experience the black lava fields that pepper the western and southern flanks of the island. Anyone flying into Kailua-Kona airport today will still get to experience that striking view.
Once on the ground, Kailua-Kona is a great town for shopping. Kona itself has several tourist-class hotels, but we like Kona because it has a Costco, which is perfect for stocking up on supplies and gas before heading to your vacation rental. There is also a charming farmers’ market in the center of town where you can pick up souvenirs and the local grown mangos, pineapple and the flowers.
The coastline to the south Kona is generally less developed, with no big planned resort zones like there are along the Kohala Coast.
There are a few historic spots, including Kealakekua Bay, one of the most scenic and historic places on the Kona Coast. K-Bay is known for snorkeling, kayaking, extraordinary coral formations and spectacular marine life.
Kealakekua Bay the place where British explorer Captain James Cook met his end at the hands of the Hawaiians in 1779 (they were over him when they realized he was not a god). An obelisk was erected by his men to mark the spot. You will also find an ancient Hawaiian Heiau, also known as a temple or sacred site.
You can combine a visit to the Cook memorial with world-class snorkeling. Kealakekua Bay is a marine sanctuary and you’ll be rewarded by a paddle around this gorgeous place.
Tip: In Hawaii, always have a set of snorkel masks, flippers and a flotation device in the car while you explore. This way you’ll be able to take advantage of bays and beaches you find along your way!
Ten-minutes further down the coast, around 45-minutes south of Kona, you will find Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park, also known as “The City of Refuge” or Honanunau Bay. Here you will find wood carvings, and old structures and learn about the ancient practices of the native Hawaiians.
Honanunau Bay is also a good place to snorkel. There is a snorkel entry point known as Two Steps, named for the easy two step access off the lava rocks. It’s always best to start your snorkel experience early to avoid the crowd, and hot midday sun.
There are also some charming coves with great snorkeling and quite towns for lunch. The landscape will become gradually greener as you round the lower point of the island.
South Big Island (Kau)
The southern zone of the Big Island feels properly remote. There is an ancient eeriness to this area, with old growth trees and black lava fields.
On the southern tip of the Big Island you will find the southernmost point in the United States at place called Ka Lae. It’s a rugged, wind-swept promontory and fun to check-out. A “been there” moment. There are cliffs above the rough Pacific Ocean so approach with caution.
Peraps the main draw of the southern/southeastern portion of the Big Island is Punalu’u Black Sand Beach. We adore this beach and have dedicated an article to this and other black sand beaches on the Big Island. It’s worth a read if you want to get a feel for the place.
Up-country Big Island – Historic Waimea and Paniollo Culture
The town of Waikoloa lies on the border of “Kona” and “Waimea”, also known as Big Islands’ resort area. If you’re looking for warm weather and great beaches, the village of Waikoloa is the place to be!
The town is located between the mountains of Mauna Kea and Kohala. While this area may be sunny, it can sometimes become windy due to the trade winds blowing in from the northeast and funneling through the mountain slope, offering a cool reprieve from the sun.
Volcano – Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
The Volcano area can be grouped into the South of Kau region. This area is the place where Madam Pele calls home, in the heart of Kilauea Volcano.
The Park reopened to great fanfare after the destructive eruptions of 2018. Visitors are rewarded with an incredible landscape unlike anywhere on earth. It feels like the surface of the primordial planet.
Here are some quick take-aways:
- Dedicate time – the park is huge, at over 330,000 acres
- The park runs from sea-level to the top of Mauna Loa, at 13,667 ft.
- Two of the world’s most active craters, Kilauea and Mauna Loa, are here
- Hawaiians believe that the Goddess Pele dwells in Kilauea
- Cars pay $25 to enter the Park
- The Park is open 24-hours daily, but the Kilauea Visitors Center is only open from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Puna
Puna is a rural and rustic area where most of the damage shown in the 2018 eruption took place. However, it’s quite large and by no means a disaster zone, unlike what the dramatic video clips seem to indicate.
Puna is known for its “funky” alternative lifestyle culture. You’ll find lots of natural, rugged beauty here including what is known as the Champaign Ponds. The brackish ponds are heated by geothermal vents making the water warm.
According to the latest news, a couple famous ponds were filled by recent lava flows, but one known as Pohoiki Beach Park is still around and features a new black sand beach. There is talk about bacteria levels in the ponds, so do your research, take in local advisories and enter at your own risk.
Hilo - Big Island’s Capital: Airport, Tropical/Rainy, Historic & Laid Back
Aside from being the island’s capital, the town of Hilo is the largest city on the Big Island and home to more than 23% of the island’s residents. This tropical town lies on the eastern side and is ringed by cascading waterfalls to the east and below Kilauea.
The windward (east) side is considered the wettest part of the island, averaging about 140 inches of rain annually. While this charming town is not your typical tourist area, it is still admired by many. In comparison to Kona, time on this side of the island seems to run a little slower and the people who reside in this laid-back town welcome their visitors with a friendly Aloha Spirit.
Hilo is also considered the cultural capital of the island, featuring historic buildings and old plantations. When visiting this town, you will want to stop by the galleries and museums in downtown Hilo. Whether you’re looking to learn history from the few museums, visit the zoo, or chase waterfalls--there are lots of fun activities and things to do in the charming town of Hilo.
Hilo, more than any other spot in Hawaii, has been impacted by tsunamis. It’s location in the southeastern point of the island, in a bay, channeled the energy of powerful earthquakes taking place thousands of miles away. You visit the Pacific Tsunami Museum, when visiting Hilo town.
Continuing to work our way counterclockwise around the island, we move up the coast. One of the Big Island’s most photographed waterfalls is there, Akaka Falls. It plummets 442 feet down a green mountain wall. Take some time to view this beautiful natural wonder.
The region or district of Hilo stretches far to the north and connects with the equally green and wet Hamakua Coast.
Hamakua Coast: Green, Wet & Wild
This stretch of coast connects the northeast part of the island with the Kohala Coast on the west side. Located “over the saddle” from the Kohala Coast, it’s a green and slow-paced place.
It is home to numerous waterfall and scenic places, including Waipio Valley, which we absolutely love. We don’t have many vacation villas for rent here, but the one we do have is a standout. It draws both families and celebrities alike due to its size, position and privacy. Check out the so-called Water Falling Villa, which is like renting your own resort overlooking a double waterfall that cascades into the ocean.
Up-Country (the “Saddle,” upper elevations of Kohala and Hamakua): Cool, Green & Rural
Unlike the other islands, which have had more time to erode, most visible mountains of the Big Island are tall and rounded. Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea both dominate the view from the Kona side.
Because of the heights involved, it is possible to see snow dusting the top of Mauna Kea during the winter months.
There is an area that is known as “the Saddle,” which has rolling hills and stark landscapes, and, to the north, there are the upper elevations of the northern regions of Kohala and Hamakua.
Of all the high-elevation towns, the one that we enjoy and recommend the most to visitors is Waimea. This town looks like it’s set in an Irish landscape, with Kelly green hills and clouds seemingly ever present.
Easily reached from the Kohala Coast or the Hamakua Coast, the town has a ranch vibe, due to the proximity of historic Parker Ranch, one of the largest privately held ranches in the U.S. You will see folks wearing spurs in line at Starbucks!
Waimea has a brewery (thumbs up), restaurants and chain brands on hand like Long’s, Starbucks and other staples.
Tip: If you are looking for a dose of Hawaiian comfort food, look no further than the Hawaiian Style Cafe. We stopped here and enjoyed the local vibe. The food portions are large, seemingly designed to satisfy hungry ranch hands.
We hope that this gives you a sense of the Big Island. We wanted to convey its many faces and allow you to better select the area that’s right for your group. Each region has its merits, so do your homework and peruse the options and you’ll be rewarded!
Enjoy your stay on the Big Island - now you juect need to select your Big Island Hawaii vacation rental!
