Volcanoes, upscale resorts and funky hotels, the largest cattle ranch in the U.S., some of the world's finest waters for sport-fishing, and a rich cultural heritage make the Big Island of Hawaii one of the most unique destinations in the islands.

A 45-minute flight from Honolulu, the Big Island is a study in contrasts. Along the Kohala Coast, where it is nearly always dry and hot, you'll discover some of the world's finest resorts, including the Mauna Kea Resort, home of the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and the Hapuna Beach Prince.

Travel to the other side of the island and the weather is noticeably cooler and sometimes inclement. This is where you'll find the quaint town of Hilo, home to the Merry Monarch Festival, Hawaii's premiere hula competition.

For sport-fishing, head to Kailua-Kona, where there are plenty of boat charters available, and anglers rarely return empty-handed. This is also the start-finish point for the Ironman Triathlon, a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike race and a 26.2-mile marathon typically held in October.

Activities

• Above it All! - Airplane rides and flying lessons
  
• Blue Hawaiian Helicopters - The only activity company in Hawaii to be awarded the Five-Star Diamond Award for Outstanding Quality, Service and Safety from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences.
  
• Captain Zodiac Raft Expeditions - Rafting Tours to Na Pali, Kauai and Kona, Hawaii
  
• Classic Aviation - Open Cockpit Biplane tours
  
• Golf Hawaii - The online source for Golf Hawaii with Mark Rolfing as seen on ESPN.
  
• Hawaii Information Connection - The latest travel information for all of the islands
  
• Hawaii International Jazz Festival - Hot Hawaiian Jazz
  
• Hawaii Volcano Geoventures - Educational tours and guided hikes on the volcanoes of the Big Island of Hawaii
  
• Hawaii Volcano Watch - Pele in action
  
• Run 4 Cover - Information, sound samples & order form for independent reggae CD release
  
• The 1995 Ironman Triathlon - Live Video Coverage of the World Triathlon Championship - 10/07/95!
  
• The Paradise Ride - A seven day, 4-island,350-mile bike ride to benefit AIDS patients mile-plus bike ride on four of the Hawaiian Islands to raise funds to benefit the five major AIDS service agencies in Hawaii.
  

Business

• Bali Hai Realty - Bali Hai Realty is Kauai #1 real estate brokerage, real estate site for Kauai and Hawaii.
  
• C&H; Properties - For Real Estate on the Big Island contact us, we are here to help you.
  
• Clark Realty Corporation - The Big Island's largest real estate company with five offices serving the entire island. Our agents offer personalized service in sales (residential, condominium, land, and commercial) and property management.
  
• Farish Media - Farish Media provides a variety of media services including broadcast-quality television production and programming, video retail, infomercial & industrial video, audio production, marketing and a unique Hawaiian general store.
  
• Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union - HCFCU is a progressive full-service financial institution serving the communities of South Kona, North Kona, and North Kohala on the Big Island of Hawaii.
  
• J.A. Herbst & Associates - Engineering consultants for the mineral processing industry.
  
• Kahu Malama Nurses, Inc. - Medical Employment Agency locally owned & operated by a Registered Nurse Executive. We employ RN's LPN's, Nursing & Medical Assistants, matching skills with clients.
  
• Long and Associates, AIA, Inc. - Long & Associates, Architects, Inc. is an architectural, interiors, and consruction management firm with an enduring reputation for distinctive custom homes, resort developments and commercial ventures throughout Hawaii, California and Asia.
  
• Mauna Lani Resort Resident Resource Center - Online resources for the residential community at Mauna LaniResort, Hawaii's most prestigious address.
  
• Nat'l Asson of Industrial and Office Properties - NAIOP Hawaii Chapter-National Association of Industrial and Office Properties- The Forum for Commercial Real Estate.
  
• Okahara & Associates - With a commitment towards engineering excellence and a dedication to provide total client satisfaction.
  
• Pualani Estates - Affordable fee simple homes on the Kona Coast
  
• Rotary Club of Hilo Bay - District 5000 of the Business Club
  
• Urban Works INC. - Planning and construction.
  

Culture

• Aloha Mystics - Aloha Mystics -- offers recorded seminars on metaphysics and mysticism, metitation tapes, and guides to awkening you to your spiritual consciousness based on the writings of Joel S. Goldsmith.
  
• Environment Hawaii - Information on Environment Hawaii Newsletter - a Non-Profit Organization
  
• Huna from Hawaii - Dedicated to sharing the Aloha Spirit and Hawaiian culture
  
• Merrie Monarch Festival - Hula competition results and information
  
• North Hawaii Community Hospital - North Hawaii Community Hospital (NHCH) is a new full service acute care hospital centrally located on the Big Island of Hawaii.
  
• Zen Center of Hawaii - Information on Zen Center schedules, activities, teachings and newsletter.
  

Publishing

• Moon Publications - A travel guide based on J.D. Bisignani's Big Island of Hawaii Handbook
  

Shopping

• Exotic Hawaiian Flowers - Fresh tropical flower mail order and shippers
  
• Hawaii Screen Savers - Packed with high resolution photos teeming with the majestic power of Hawaii, including an erupting volcano, surfers and windsurfers on giant waves, sharks, whales, rainbows, tropical forests and sheer cliffs.
  
• Hawaiian Isles Kona Coffee Co. - Home of Hawaii's Finest Coffees - Available OnLine!
  
• Indo-Pacific Trading Co. - A family owned business, specializing in unique Hardwood Furniture, Primitive Artifacts, Clothing and Jewelry from Hawaii, The Pacific and South East Asia.
  
• Kailua Candy Company - Designated "Best Chocolates" by Bon Appetit
  
• Keopu Mauka Lani Plantation - 1st place winner, Kona Coffee cupping contest. Pesticide free, 100% Fancy Kona Estate. Ntional award winning packaging. Drink some of the world,s finest for about .40 a cup.
  
• Pu'u'ala Farm and Ranch - Pu'u'ala Farms organically grows; process and markets bulk phyto pharmaceutical products to selected segments of the natural foods and traditional medicinal markets. Our core products are Awa, Neem and Noni.
  

Travel

• Anini Beach Hale - Calm crystal waters, beautiful white sand beach and scenic vistas are only 100 paces from the peaceful screened-in patio of your 2 bedroom Hawaiian holiday home.
  
• Bali Hai Treasures - Provides the ultimate Hawaiian vacation experience. Choose from a large selection of oceanfront condos, hotels and homes ranging from affordable to luxurious. Enjoy using our Vacation Planner to help you create the perfect Hawaiian Vacation.
  
• Hawaii's Best Bed and Breakfasts - A travel service specializing in Hawaii's finest Bed and Breakfast Lodgings
  
• Hualalai Resort - Come visit Hualalai Resort.
  
• International Society of Eco-Tourism Management, Inc. - The International Society for Eco-Tourism Management is a pro-active organization which facilitates positive change in the tourism industry.
  
• Knutson & Associates - Luxury, Privacy, and Security are your next family vacation to the Big Island of Hawaii. Reasonable rates!
  
• Kohala Coast Resort Association - The finest hotels and resorts on the Big Island
  
• New Millennium Institute - An educational retreat center located in Waimea on the Big Island of Hawaii
  
• Pacific Rim Tours - Pacific Rim Tours provides first class tours of the Big Island of Hawaii, which goes beyond conventional tours. Pacific Rim Tours seeks to promote a comprehensive understanding of the culture, history, geography and ecology of Hawaii.
  
• Puanani B & B - A truly luxurious Five Star B&B; on the sunny Kona coast; swim, hot-tub and tennis in secluded tropical gardens.
  
• R & R Realty and Rentals, Inc. - Completely furnished vacation Homes and Condominiums throughout Poipu, Kauai, Hawaii.