When someone says “Hawaii,” most people think of Honolulu, which is a city on Oahu, one of the major islands that compose Hawaii. The other Hawaiian Islands are Hawaii, Kauai, Nihau, Maui, Lanai, Kahoolawe and Molokai.

Hawaii, also called the Big Island, is the youngest island in the Hawaiian Islands. It is twice the size of all the other islands combined. Formed by five volcanoes, the island of Hawaii still has two active volcanoes, Mauna Loa and Kilauea. You may view the active volcanoes by air or by visiting the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Hawaii is the most diverse of all the islands. The annual rainfall in Hilo is over 250 inches per year, making this area a tropical rain forest. Many visitors are drawn to the natural beauty found at higher elevations on Hawaii, where you may see snow between September and January. Yet other travelers enjoy the black sand beaches. Black sand is actually small, smooth, lava pebbles.

The accommodations below were found on Hilo Vacation Rentals, sponsor of this post. These rentals range from $100-$150 per night, VERY reasonable for rentals in Hawaii. Am I planning a trip to Hawaii? Always!

The Cottage at Kapoho

The Cottage at Kapoho is a small one bedroom cabin with deck and lanai. From the deck you can watch the ocean. Relax in a hammock shaded by plumeria trees. The cottage is complete with kitchen, outside BBQ and picnic table. Within walking distance of Kapoho Bay and a geothermal heated pond.

Waimea Country Lodge

Waimea Country Lodge, a motel in the high country, sits at the base of the dormant volcano Mauna Kea. The rooms are all mountain view and the altitude means the weather is cool. The hotel is within walking distance of historic Waimea town, part of the cattle ranch economy of the past.

Hilo Hawaiian Hotel

The Hilo Hawaiian Hotel on Hilo Bay has views of Coconut Island, the dormant volcano Mauna Kea and, of course, Hilo Bay. This is a perfect place to explore the eastern side of the Island of Hawaii.

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