Hawaiʻi (island)

Hawaiʻi (island)
Name	Hawaiʻi
Native name	Hawaiʻi
Location	Pacific Ocean
Archipelago	Hawaiian Islands
Area km2	10432
Highest point	Mauna Kea
Elevation m	4205
Country	United States
State	Hawaii
Population	201513
Population as of	2020

Hawaiʻi (island) Hawaiʻi is the largest island in the Hawaiian Islands chain and the largest island in the United States by area. Known historically as the "Big Island," it hosts iconic sites such as Mauna Loa, Kīlauea, and Mauna Kea, and is a center for cultural institutions like Bishop Museum and events including Aloha Festivals. The island's landscapes range from coastal Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park terrain to alpine summits used by W. M. Keck Observatory and scientific programs associated with NASA.

Geography

Hawaiʻi lies in the central Pacific Ocean and is part of the Hawaiian–Emperor seamount chain, situated southeast of Maui and northwest of the Line Islands. Major settlements include Hilo, Kailua-Kona, Waimea and Pāhoa, and the island contains districts such as South Kona, North Kohala, Kaʻū, Puna, and Hāmākua. Coastal features include Kona District shorelines, Kealakekua Bay, and anchialine pools near Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park; inland features include Hualālai, Kohala Mountains, and the saddle between Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea. The island's maritime jurisdiction intersects with Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument policies and engages with organizations such as the National Park Service and United States Fish and Wildlife Service regarding marine and avian conservation.

Geology and Volcanoes

Hawaiʻi is a shield volcano complex formed by the Hawaiian hotspot beneath the Pacific Plate and documented in studies by the United States Geological Survey. Active volcanoes include Kīlauea and Mauna Loa, while Hualālai and submarine Loʻihi are recognized for eruptive potential; extinct structures include the Kohala volcano. Volcanic activity has produced lava flows affecting communities, managed through coordination among Hawaii County, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and researchers from University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. Geological landmarks like Puʻu ʻŌʻō and Napau Crater illustrate eruptive processes recorded in publications by Carrington, W. H. Pickering-era surveys, and modern volcanology teams. The island's soils and topography influence hazards considered by National Weather Service and planning bodies such as Hawaii State Civil Defense.

Climate and Ecology

The island exhibits climatic zones ranging from tropical wet in Hilo to dry leeward areas like Kailua Kona, with microclimates on Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa that support alpine conditions studied by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change-related research. Native ecosystems include Hawaiian honeycreeper habitats, ʻōhiʻa lehua forests, and coastal coral reefs hosting species monitored by NOAA Fisheries and Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Endangered species lists maintained by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources feature taxa such as the nēnē, Hawaiian monk seal, and multiple endemic plants in Puʻu Makaʻala Natural Area Reserve. Invasive species concerns involve Miconia calvescens, Coqui frog, feral pigs, and pathogens like Ceratocystis fimbriata that affect ʻōhiʻa, with management actions by organizations including The Nature Conservancy and Kamehameha Schools conservation initiatives.

History

Human settlement began with Polynesian voyaging linked to Hōkūleʻa traditions and navigators documented in oral histories collected by King Kamehameha I-era accounts; later contacts involved explorers such as James Cook. The island played a central role in the formation of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi and events including the Battle of Mokuʻōhai and the consolidation by Kamehameha the Great. Missionary activity by groups connected to American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions influenced social change, while 19th-century developments tied to the Hawaiian Monarchy and treaties such as the Reciprocity Treaty of 1875 shaped sugar and sandalwood industries involving entities like Makaiwa plantations and interests linked to C. Brewer & Co.. The overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi and subsequent Republic of Hawaii and Territory of Hawaii eras culminated in Hawaii statehood in 1959. Twentieth-century events included World War II military activity, civil rights movements with leaders such as ʻIolani Luahine and activists connected to Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and contemporary Native Hawaiian sovereignty efforts engaging groups like Hawaiian Homes Commission and organizations such as Ka Lāhui Hawaiʻi.

Demographics and Economy

Population centers such as Hilo and Kailua-Kona reflect a mix of descendants of Native Hawaiians, Japanese Americans, Filipino Americans, Portuguese Americans, and Paniolo ranching families tied to Parker Ranch. Economic sectors include tourism centered on destinations like Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park, and cultural festivals like Merrie Monarch Festival; agriculture producing macadamia nuts, coffee from Kona coffee, and livestock operations at Parker Ranch; and research institutions including University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo and observatories that draw scientific funding from National Science Foundation. Employment is also provided by Hawaii County services, Hilo Medical Center, and small business networks associated with Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii affiliates. Socioeconomic issues are addressed by agencies like Hawaiʻi State Department of Health and nonprofit organizations including Hawaiʻi Community Foundation.

Transportation and Infrastructure

Air transport is centered on Hilo International Airport and Kona International Airport at Keāhole, with interisland connections via Hawaiian Airlines and Southwest Airlines services to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. Road networks include Hawaii Belt Road (State Route 19 and 11) linking districts, while maritime links use Hilo Harbor and Kailua-Kona Harbor supporting freight and passenger services associated with Matson, Inc. and intermodal logistics coordinated with Hawaii Department of Transportation. Utilities and communications are managed by companies such as Hawaiian Electric Industries and infrastructure projects involving United States Army Corps of Engineers planning; emergency responses coordinate Hawaii State Civil Defense, FEMA, and community organizations during volcanic events and tropical cyclones monitored by Central Pacific Hurricane Center.

Category:Islands of Hawaii County, Hawaii