KONA, Hawaii – There's only one Hawaiian Island where you can experience a volcanic eruption, snow and a cloud forest, all in a single day.
Welcome to Hawaii Island, affectionately nicknamed the Big Island by locals.
It's the youngest and largest of the island chain. At over 4,000 square miles, Hawaii Island can fit Oahu, Maui and Kauai inside of it, with room to spare. This vastness allows for diverse microclimates to provide a wide range of experiences, from the snowcapped summit of the world's largest mountain (that's Maunakea) to one of the rainiest cities in the world (which is Hilo).
As someone raised on Oahu, and author of the upcoming book "The Conscious Traveller Hawai'i," I always think of Hawaii Island as beckoning truly adventurous travelers, the ones seeking out more than just white-sand beaches. While it has those gorgeous beaches, of course, it also offers some of the most unique activities in the entire state.
This summer, Hawaii could see an influx of travelers. In a small March survey of 300 U.S. adults by travel website Hawaii.com, 54% said they're rethinking their international trips due to recent geopolitical tensions. Of those, 85% said they're interested in pivoting their travel plans to Hawaii. I had the chance to explore the island more and participate in some regenerative tourism activities during a recent visit.
