Big Island of Hawaii evolved into hot spot for tourists

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Chris Condon/PGA TOUR

A view of the Hualalai Golf Course at Ka'upulehu-Kona on the Big Island.

For centuries, the largest of the Hawaiian Islands and its most southeast in location was nothing more than a volcanic creation of molten rock in a sparsely-populated community of farmers and fishermen.

But the Big Island of Hawaii is now a hot spot for tourism that's gaining momentum each year. Stretching over 4,028 square miles, this island is home to Mauna Loa -- the largest shield volcano on earth that covers over half of the island and measures 2.5 miles from sea level to summit.

The first travelers discovered the island around 400 AD and are believed to have come from the Marquesas Islands in the South Pacific. They were joined later by the Polynesians from Tahiti whose trademark means of travel were double-hulled canoes.

"This island is the last major island to embrace tourism," said George Applegate, longtime Executive Director of Big Island Visitor's Bureau. "In, 1960, there were no more than 500 hotel rooms on the entire island. Now, we have over 11,000."

To accommodate the tourist boom, the island now features three resorts and 19 golf courses, including the Hualalai Golf Course at Ka'upulehu-Kona, home of the Champions Tour's Mitsubishi Electric Championship.

The population on the Big Island is 177,000, compared to 1.3 million for the entire state. Neighboring islanders can always get to Hawaii by plane within one hour, and Honolulu is only a 35-minute flight away.

"I'm watching the whales offshore as we speak," Applegate told a recent caller, reminding him that there are no poisonous snakes or spiders on the island. If that's not enticing enough, the unique location of the island, formed from five volcanoes, results in a mere 6 inches of rain annually and an average temperature of 74 degrees Fahrenheit (23 C).

"Two large mountains on the island create a barricade and affect weather conditions on the island," Applegate said.

Even Hawaii's state bird, the Nene goose, found the climate to be irresistible. "The Nene derived from the Canadian goose, which lost their ability to fly long distances, then settled and stayed here," Applegate said. "They were blown off course and flew here by mistake. They found no predators here, so they multiplied."

The vacationers followed a similar pattern and tourism boomed in the 1960s. Now, after thousands of years, the melting pot of cultures has evolved into one of the world's most beautiful destinations with entertainment galore.

For the "food savvy" tourist, there's great joy in being in Hawaii. The early farmers brought the potato-like talo to the Big Island while other migratory cultures brought their own delicacies.

The Polynesians contributed the roasted pig while saimin came from Japan, kim chee from Korea, curries from Thailand, fish sauces from Vietnam and sausages from Portugal. Mix those treats with some of the world's best seafood -- like the popular native fish mahi-mahi -- and dining out is almost a necessity.

"We don't want anyone to leave a restaurant disappointed," Applegate said. "One of the most popular things we now have is a mixed plate lunch. You can get it at any local restaurant and each mixed plate reflects the owners and cooks. It's a wonderful thing."

The history of surfing on the Big Island may date back to the late 1700s when Captain James Cook reportedly described in a journal a native "riding the ocean's wave on wooden boards." While fishing and surfing are the top water activities in Hawaii today, parasailing, diving, waterskiing and snorkeling are also highly popular among islanders.

So the options are many on the Big Island.

"We were so far behind on this island, and now we're way in front," Applegate said. "When we talk about the true Hawaii, it started over here. We live 'Aloha' -- it lives and breathes on this island."