The Big Island

You could fit all the other Hawaiian islands onto the Big Island and still have room left over—hence the clever name. From its active volcano seeping lava into the ocean to its white-sand beaches and its verdant green valleys, waterfalls, and rainbows, the Big Island delivers everything the postcards promise and then some. It manages to maintain an Old Hawai'i feel, and artists, travelers, and locals continue to seek inspiration from the cliffs, ancient wisdom, and tranquil waters of the Big Island. Locals refer to the island by side: Kona side to the west and Hilo side to the east. The former has the golden beaches seen in the postcards, while the latter has a wild quality that makes people refer to it as “the real Hawai'i.”