The Big Island is about the size of Connecticut, but its population is around 200,000. With such natural beauty you would expect a much higher population, but Hawaii is the most remote set of islands anywhere in the world. California and Alaska are more than 2000 miles away. So, getting goods to the islands is not easy nor inexpensive.
The main reason that the Big Island is relatively sparsely populated is most certainty due to its volcanoes, several of which are still active. For 35 years (from 1983-2018), the Pu'u O'o eruption in the eastern rift zone of the Kilauea Volcano spewed lava, covering hundreds of acres in new lava, burning and burying houses, creating new land along the southern coast of the Big Island, and generating vog (volcanic smog) that caused air pollution across the island. After a final major eruption in May, 2018, the volcano has gone silent. Although there was no active lava flow to witness during our visit, we appreciated the pristine air quality.
Within a one to two hour drive you can go from snorkeling in aqua-blue warm waters to hiking on hot, dry volcanic slopes at 9,000 feet. I found the landscape mesmerizing.
The main reason that the Big Island is relatively sparsely populated is most certainty due to its volcanoes, several of which are still active. For 35 years (from 1983-2018), the Pu'u O'o eruption in the eastern rift zone of the Kilauea Volcano spewed lava, covering hundreds of acres in new lava, burning and burying houses, creating new land along the southern coast of the Big Island, and generating vog (volcanic smog) that caused air pollution across the island. After a final major eruption in May, 2018, the volcano has gone silent. Although there was no active lava flow to witness during our visit, we appreciated the pristine air quality.
This signage describes the 35-year long eruption of Pu'u O'o that ended in 2018.
Within a one to two hour drive you can go from snorkeling in aqua-blue warm waters to hiking on hot, dry volcanic slopes at 9,000 feet. I found the landscape mesmerizing.
The Big Island volcanoes. Mauna Kilauea was active most recently.
At a scenic overlook along Highway 19 (Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway):
lava flow in foreground, blue waters in the distance.
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