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Hawaii (The Big Island) is a very popular vacation destination for seniors.

Hawaii HI History

Voyagers from the South Pacific discovered Hawaii Island between 400 A.D. and 800 A.D. They lived in isolation on the island for 500 or 600 years before Polynesians from Tahiti came to Havaii or “ancient homeland.”

In 1778, British explorer Captain James Cook stumbled upon the Hawaiian Islands. His first landfall was on the island of Kauai. In January 1779, Cook anchored on the southwest coast of Hawaii Island, where he was killed during a skirmish with the Hawaiians over a stolen rowboat. During this time, Kamehameha I, born on the Big Island, fought a 10-year war to control Hawaii Island. He then conquered Maui, Molokai, Lanai and finally Oahu. During King Kamehameha's rule in the late 1700's, Hilo was the center of political activity and social growth.

Sugar cane, Hawaii’s principal industry, was first grown commercially in 1835. Also in the 1830’s, the lower slopes of Mauna Loa above the Kona Coast proved to be ideal for growing coffee. Kona coffee is now world famous. In the 1840’s, missionaries brought Christianity and Western education to Hawaii and selected Hilo to start the first church.

Hawaii Hawaii – The Biggest Hawaiian Island

Famous for its active Kilauea volcano, The Big Island offers everything from lush rain forests to arid deserts, black sand beaches and snow-capped mountaintops. The Big Island is Hawaii’s biggest island and an ideal place to visit.