Kailua Kona, Big Island

The "Big Island" comes by its name honestly, as Hawaii is bigger than all the other Hawaiian Islands combined. Hawaii is believed to be the first of the islands settled by Polynesians somewhere around 500-700 AD. King Kamehameha the Great, born on the Big Island, united the islands under a single monarch in 1795. During the 1800s, Hawaii's economy revolved around sugar cane plantations, pineapple plantations, and cattle ranching. Today, however, tourism is the number one resource.

A vacation on the Kona Coast can range from relaxing in the sun to chasing down a huge marlin. You can bike the paths along a volcano, or golf the same courses as Tiger Woods. If you want a view of undersea life, there are plenty of opportunities to dive and snorkel. You can even take a submarine ride and stare down a curious shark! Surfing, hiking, and horseback riding are also available choices.

Beach lovers will appreciate the many options available to them along the Kona and Kohala Coasts. Anaeho'omalu Beach (called "A Bay" by the locals) is a great spot for kayak and canoe tours. For sheer relaxation and a couple of the best swimming spots in the Islands, head north to Kauna'oa, or Hapuna Beach State Park, both of which offer prime sunbathing and have both been ranked among the best beaches in the world by Condè Nast Magazine.

History buffs will appreciate Ahu'ena Heiau. King Kamehameha began the renovation of this ancient temple and came here to seek wisdom and guidance during the last years of his life. It was here that his son, Liholiho met with queens Keopuolani and Ka'ahumanu and broke a longstanding kapu (edict) of not eating with women, thereby ending the old order and ushering in a new era in male/female relations in Hawaii.

If you are a coffee drinker, you probably have heard of Kona coffee. Famous for its dark color and rich flavor, Kona coffee is one of the most expensive coffees in the world. If you are interested in how this crop has been instrumental in shaping the economy of Hawaii, or if you just want a good cup of Joe, visit the Kona Coffee Living History Farm. The farm is a working museum that illustrates the history of Kona Coffee and how it has been harvested since the 1930s.