Local lore tourists miss: Fun Facts About The Big Island
Think you really know the Big Island? It's a city with lava flows that could redecorate your driveway, black sand that you can wiggle your toes in, and a snowcapped volcano called Mauna Kea. Let's run through the other facts, stats, and volcano gossip that make your new backyard feel like nature on espresso.
Matt, Our Local Expert Guiding Your Move
Matt was born and raised on Oahu and currently makes the North Shore playground his home. He has lived in four states, half a dozen countries, and more houses across Oahu than he can remember. Each move requires relocating something like 40 surf, foil, and paddle boards and the sobering realization that they all have to fit somewhere. He is an adventure journalist, backcountry snowboarder, rock climber, mountain biker, and relentless swell tracker who loves scouting out obscure waves in far-flung corners of the world. Favorite constants include swell checks, tide charts, and vegan sushi at Tane. At Snappy Scout, Matt edits Hawaii guides with saltwater honesty and local precision.
Read moreWritten with local insight from Snappy Scout relocation experts
What Makes The Big Island The Big Island?
The weird, useful, and surprisingly relevant facts that shape everyday life here.
Common nicknames for the Big Island
Hawaii Island, Big Island, Moku o Keawe.
Local Reality Check
Paradise, yes‚but also lava, vog days, and errands that feel like expeditions.
You're most likely moving from
Oahu, California, or Washington (usually chasing space and quieter beaches.
Strangely large concentration of
Microclimates (you can drive through four seasons before lunch).
Music scene
Hilo and Kona bars, lots of local reggae and slack key nights.
You'll have to see it to believe it
Snow on Mauna Kea, then a beach swim later that afternoon.
Unique Geography
Five volcanoes, including Mauna Loa and Kilauea, which are still very much active.
The Big Island is home to
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the summit observatories on Mauna Kea.
Well known for its
Kona coffee belt and black sand beaches like Punalu'u.
Fun history fact
Captain Cook was killed at Kealakekua Bay in 1779.
Celebrity sightings
Oprah (she owns land upcountry), plus the occasional Ironman world champion.
Noteworthy Census stat
Hawaii County population is about 200,000, most of whom are in Hilo and Kona areas.
Most interesting sub-culture on the Big Island
Coffee farmers and roasters who are very serious about your morning cup.
Population
Kailua-Kona is about the second largest CDP in HI, but not large on a national scale.
The Big Island is roughly the same geographic size as
Connecticut, give or take a lava flow.
A Local Event Worth Experiencing Once
Snow in Hawaii is the rarest of experiences, so when Mauna Kea gets dumped on, it isn't something to be missed. You don't have to fill the back of your truck with snow to cart down to the beach for an out-of-place snowman (although some people do), but just tromping in the snow and then swimming in the ocean later that afternoon makes for a memorable day.
— Matt Rott
Hawaii Local Expert
Ready to See If The Big Island Fits You?
Compare cities, check the routes, or head back to the full The Big Island guide for the bigger picture.