CLIMATE AND GEOGRAPHY

 Hawai'i's climate features mild temperatures, moderate humidity and cooling trade winds.  The island's weather isn't so cut and dried, however.  Twelve distinct climate zones exist here, ranging from East Hawaii's tropical rain forests and Mauna Kea's frozen tundra to Ka'u's arid desert in the south. The island covers over 4,028 square miles and is the youngest and largest of the Hawaiian Islands - twice the size of all the other major islands combined, approximately the size of the state of Connecticut.   The continuously erupting volcano, Kilauea continues to create lava spreading the land ever further. 

The average annual rainfall ranges from 10 inches at Kawaihae (near the west-facing Kohala Coast) to 128 inches at the Hilo Airport (on the east side).

Although the average temperature on the Big Island ranges from 71 to 77 degree F in the coastal regions (with temperatures in the low 70's October through April), the summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa are often blanketed with snow.

STATE'S POPULATION

The State of Hawaii's resident population is 1,211,537.

Hawai'i County (The Big Island of Hawaii) is: 148,677.

ECONOMIC MAINSTAYS

Until recently, upcountry Waimea's Parker Ranch was the largest privately owned cattle ranch in the world; ranching and agriculture continue to be the Big Island's economic mainstays - particularly beef, Kona coffee, macadamia nuts, fruits and tropical flowers.  One of the largest exports is water - to Japan.  Kona Coffee, a highly regarded gourmet brew that commands a premium price was originally brought to the area by missionary Samuel Ruggles in 1828.  His variety was replaced by a Guatemalan variety in 1892.  The soil above the Kailua Kona coast and the climate determines the taste of any coffee and the plant has flourised in the acidic soil. 

 Resorts and most residential developments are located in coastal areas such as Hilo, Kailua-Kona and the Kohala Coast, leaving much of the island's interior untouched. 

THE STATE FLOWER  is the Yellow Hibiscus. The Big Island's official flower is the Lehua 'Ohi'a.

THE STATE BIRD is the Nene (Hawaiian goose). The Nene are endangered despite a restoration project that began in the late 1940s, and they are protected by law.  You will most likely spot the Nene in Volcanoe's National Park.

THE STATE MARINE MAMMAL is the humpback whale, which migrates annually from Alaska to Hawaiian waters to mate and calve (generally from the months of December through April).

THE STATE FISH is now officially the humuhumunukunukuapua'a, a Hawaiian reef triggerfish.

THE STATE TREE is the Kukui, candlenut, a plant introduced from Polynesia.  Ancient Hawaiians used the nuts of this tree for oil, medicine and leis. Kukui oil is still used to sooth dry skin.

For more information on Hawaii, please contact Joanie Lehr for a FREE information Guide to Hawaii, at email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it