With great weather and a wide variety of activities, there is something for everyone on the islands. The most difficult question is, “Which Island is best for me?”
Well, let’s explore each island …
Big Island Overview
The Big Island, also known as The Orchid Isle, is the largest of the islands but only has a population of 142,000 – it has the smallest population per area. The Big Island has only two big cities: Kona and Hilo. The Big Island boasts quite a diverse array of microclimates. The Big Island is home to 11/13 climatic zones! Mauna Kea has seasonal snowfall and its name means “white mountain” in Hawaiian.
Hilo
Hilo is the wettest major city in the United States at 120-160″ annually, so you can expect lush surroundings and lots of rain (especially at night) in Hilo.
Kohala Coast
The Kohala Coast is almost always sunny year-round and offers the best chance for dry weather, averaging just 0-10 inches annually. The Big Island also has a famous black sand beach “Punalu’u” – Punaluʻu is frequented by endangered Hawksbill and Green turtles. The Big Island has lots open land and tends to be less expensive.
