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PRIDE OF AMERICA: Maui to the Big Island

This is day 3 of my inter island cruise on the Pride of America.  We are still ported in Kahului Harbor, Maui.  Yesterday we didn't do much more than eat and drink.




If my reportage is minimal, I've trying to get organized.  Tomorrow, the Big Island.

Fun facts about the Big Island of Hawaii:

  • The island is usually known for the two main towns that most locals reside: Kona and Hilo.
  • In addition to Kona and Hilo, the Kohala Coast is another area that offers a great place to stay.
  • The island is made up of 5 shield volcanoes: Kohala (extinct), Mauna Kea (dormant), Hualalai (active), Mauna Loa (active), and Kilauea (active).
  • Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea are the two dormant volcanoes that inhabit southern portion of the island.
  • Mauna Kea is the tallest mountain in the world, when measured from its base at the sea floor.
  • Mauna Kea is the only place in Hawaii that receives annual snowfall. Haleakala on Maui receives snow occasionally, but not as often as Mauna Kea.
  • Mt. Kilauea has been erupting since January 3, 1983, making it the world’s most active volcano.
  • Since 2012, the eruption zone from Kilauea has produced 499 new acres of land to the island’s coast.
  • King Kamehameha the Great was born on the Big Island in Kohala.
  • Many historic sites of Ancient Hawaii are still standing today, and can be found all around the island.
  • Big game fishing is very popular off the coast of the island, and many local fishermen believe the Kona Coast to be one of the best sport fishing locations in the world.
  • The island is known for white sand beaches, but also features black sand beaches and even a green sand beach.
  • The southern most point in the United States is on the island at Ka Lae, known as South Point.
  • Standing at Ka Lae, the next closest piece of land is Antarctica.

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