The youngest and largest of all the Hawaiian islands, Hawai'i is often called the 'Big Island' and is of volcanic origin. The first Polynesians settled here probably from the Maquesas (now part of French Polynesia) in about the fifth century. It was on this island that the Great Kamehameha was born in 1758 who became the ruler of the Kahala region on the death of his uncle. Kamehameha defeated Keoua and eventually became ruler of Hawai'i.

The Big Island has Hawaii's highest mountain, 'Mauna Kea' with an elevation of 13,679ft (4169m). Hawaii Volcanos National Park contains Kilauea, the most active volcano that has added about 300 acres (120ha) to the island since 1983.