Several Hawaii residents disagree over whether you can see other islands from the Big Island.
Thompson says you can see Kauai from the north shore, while Rowland maintains that you can’t see anything other than the Big Island.
While an app like PeakFinder will help you identify the islands you’re looking at, it is still best to see for yourself.
Here are some tips to help you make the best decision when deciding where to stay.
Hawaii’s 8 main islands
If you’ve never visited Hawaii before, you’re missing out. This article will give you the facts you need to know about this fantastic place. Hawaii’s 8 main islands are located in the North Pacific.
They are Hawaii Island, Kauai, Lanai, Maui, Oahu, and Molokai. You’ll also learn about Niihau, the smallest of the islands and a World Heritage Site.
While Hawaii’s 8 main islands are very beautiful, the Big Island is the most popular. You can see many other islands from here, including Maui, Kauai, and Moloka’i.
And don’t forget to explore the Big Island! There’s plenty of history and legend to be found here!
It’s easy to get lost and confused when figuring out which island is where, but the following guide will help you navigate this beautiful place.
Location of Honolulu
When planning a trip to Hawaii, you’ll want to know where the main cities are. Honolulu is located southeast of Oahu, the third largest of the Hawaiian islands.
Of the Hawaiian islands, only eight are inhabited. The island of Oahu is home to Honolulu, Hawaii’s capital and largest city.
Visitors will find a variety of sights and attractions here, from volcanoes to beaches to industrial districts and resorts.
To get to Honolulu, you can take Interstate H-1 to the west, which connects with State Rte. 80.
This highway passes through the heart of the island, passing the Honolulu International Airport and Hickam Air Force Base.
You can also reach downtown Honolulu and the airport by taking Interstate H-1 eastward through Pearl City and Kapolei. During rush hours, you can expect heavy traffic congestion along the highway.
Location of Hilo
Hawaii’s town of Hilo is known as the Big Island. Hilo’s main attractions include the colorful mist effects of Waianuenue Falls and the Boiling Pots, bubbling basalt-lava rock pools.
To the south of Hilo is Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, home to rainforests, active Kilauea and Mauna Lo volcanoes, and many other natural wonders.
Hilo was originally named for the whole area on the island, but today, it is split into two distinct districts. The first European visitors originally inhabited the area around Hilo Bay.
Missionaries later founded the Haili Church, and sugar plantations followed. The railroad was completed in the early 1900s, and several sugar plantations were built, attracting visitors worldwide.
Location of Puna
One of the nine districts of Hawaii is Puna, and the Puna District is located on the island’s windward side.
Puna shares boundaries with the South Hilo District to the north and the West Hawaii District to the south. In addition, Puna is the site of some historic sites.
The Puna District is growing in population and housing construction. For those looking for affordable housing, this is the place to be.
The city of Puna enjoys a tropical climate with abundant rainfall, gentle slopes, and no defined waterways. Although rainfall is abundant, flooding is uncommon due to the slope of volcanic rock.
Puna’s vegetation is a mix of rainforests, desert shrubs, and coastal strands. In the Wao Kele o Puna tract, you’ll find large patches of native forest.
The dominant endemic tree is the Ohia lehua. The Kupaianaha lava flow plume is also found in the Puna region.
Location of Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park
The Kaloko-Honokohau National Historic Park is in the Kona District of Hawaii’s Big Island. The park encompasses the Honokhau Settlement and is home to numerous historical sites.
The park was established in the 1950s to honor the early Hawaiian settlers and their contributions to the development of Hawaii. You can learn more about the area’s history at its official website.
The Honokohau archaeological site is located at the southern end of the park. Hiking trails from the visitor center lead to the archaeological site containing petroglyphs, stone slides, and a house site platform.
The park also features one of the world’s longest hiking trails, the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, which spans nearly two miles. Taking the trail will allow you to explore the park and the historical sites.
Location of Haleakala Crater
It is not common for tourists to descend into the crater floor. But some do, and London did just that – on horseback, accompanied by a group of Hawaiian cowboys.
The view was breathtaking, and she called the crater “a wonderful ocean.” In addition to rare wildflowers and delicate lichens, Haleakala is also home to a bizarre plant.
In the last 30,000 years, the crater has been undergoing several eruptions. These have been along two rift zones, the east and the southwest.
One of these extends north of La Perouse Bay to Hana, while the other continues under the ocean beyond the east coast of Maui.
Together, the two rift zones form one of the longest basins in the Hawaiian Islands. Haleakala crater is at least eight miles (12 km) in diameter.
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