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Big Island Information

The island of Hawaii is the youngest island in the Hawaiian chain and known as the “Big Island” or as the “Orchid Isle”.  Originally formed by five volcanoes creating a land area of 4,028 square miles, twice the combined size of the other islands and still growing because of two active volcanoes Mauna Loa and Kilauea.

The world’s tallest mountain when measured from its submarine base is Mauna Kea, with a height of 13,796 feet above sea level.  Thus, it is often snowcapped during the winter.

Ka Lae is the southern most point in the United States and also known as South Point.

AGRICULTURE:  Products are beef, kona coffee, macadamia nuts, papaya and tropical flowers such as orchids and anthuriums. Aquaculture (1996): 43 producing farms of shellfish, finfish and algae with a $13.1 million value.   After sugarcane production was halted in 1996, efforts are being made to convert the sugarcane lands to forestry and diversified agriculture.

CLIMATE:  Average daily temperatures: Hilo (71.2° F.), Kailua-Kona (73.1° F.), Mauna Kea summit (31 to 43° F.).

Average annual rainfall: 131 inches at Hilo Airport, 10 inches near Kawaihae.

EDUCATION: University of Hawaii system consist of . . .. 
University of Hawaii at Hilo offers four year degrees & Hawaii Community College offers two year degrees.

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS: 5 banks with 26 branches, 3 savings and loans with 10 branches.

GOVERNMENT: Mayor Stephen K. Yamashiro governs with nine-member county council.

HEALTH: Practices (1998): 244 Medical Doctors
                                                    93 Dentists
                                                  979 Registered Nurses
                                                    74 Pharmacists

ISLAND COLOR: Red

ISLAND FLOWER: Red blossom called Pua Lehua.

POPULATION:  Resident population (1998): 143,135

By age (1997): Under 5 (7.7%)
                           5 to 19 (23.4%)
                           20 to 44 (33.2%)
                           45 to 64 (21.3%)
                           65+ (14.4%)

By ethnic groups (1998): Hawaiian and part/Hawaiian (31%)
                                           Caucasian (26%)
                                           Japanese (14%)
                                           Filipino (9%)

Main cities and towns (1990): Hilo (37,808)
                                                    Kailua-Kona (9,126)
                                                    Waimea (5,972)

PRINT AND BROADCAST MEDIA: Principal newspapers are the Hawaii Tribune-Herald and West Hawaii Today.  Radio stations (1997): 5 AM stations; 11 FM stations; TV stations (1997): 6 commercial and 2 cable with 32,223 subscribers.                                                              

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: There are 13 major astronomical facilities representing the cooperation of ten countries on Mauna Kea.  Subaru Telescope Facility represents a new class of highly accurate revolutionary telescopes.  Ocean related research, education and commercial activities are utilizing deep ocean water technology promoted by The Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority at Keahole Point.

TOURISM:  Major attractions:  Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Akaka Falls, Pu'uhonau o Honaunau National Historical Park , Pu'ukohola Heiau National Historic Site, & Lapakahi State Historic Park.

Additional attractions:  Viewing petroglyph sites
                                        Deep-sea fishing
                                        Merrie Monarch Hula Festival
                                        Kona Coffee Festival
                                        Iron man Triathlon

 

Statistical Source: Hawaii Government