Big Island Hawaii: Discovering the Names of the Largest Hawaiian Island

The "Big Island" of Hawaii, the largest and youngest of the Hawaiian Islands, holds a rich history and culture reflected in its various names. While commonly known as the "Big Island," its official name is "Hawaiʻi," which is also the name of the entire archipelago. This island, formed by volcanic activity, boasts stunning landscapes and a vibrant cultural heritage, making it a popular destination for visitors from all over the world. In this exploration, we delve into the fascinating origins and meanings of various names associated with the Big Island, uncovering the stories behind its diverse identity.
1. **Hawaiʻi**: This is the official name of the island and the entire archipelago. It is believed to be derived from the Polynesian word "hawaiki," which means "homeland" or "place of origin."
2. **Big Island**: This is the most common name used by English speakers. It is simply a descriptive name referring to the island's size, being the largest of the Hawaiian Islands.
3. **Island of Hawaiʻi**: This name is often used to avoid confusion with the state of Hawaii, which encompasses all the islands. It emphasizes the island's distinct identity within the larger archipelago.
4. **Hawaiʻi Island**: This name is similar to "Island of Hawaiʻi," but it places the emphasis on the island itself rather than the state.
5. **The Big Island of Hawaiʻi**: This name combines the descriptive "Big Island" with the official name "Hawaiʻi" to create a more specific and comprehensive name.
6. **The Island of Hawaiʻi**: This name is a variation of "Island of Hawaiʻi" that emphasizes the island's distinct identity and geographical location.
7. **The Big Island**: This name is a shortened version of "The Big Island of Hawaiʻi," commonly used in casual conversation.
8. **Hawaiʻi nei**: This name is a Hawaiian phrase that literally means "this Hawaiʻi," indicating a specific location within the broader archipelago.
9. **Ka ʻĪlio**: This is a local name for the island, meaning "the dog." It is believed to have been given to the island by the first Polynesian settlers, who saw the shape of the island resembling a dog.
10. **Ka ʻĪlio o Hawaiʻi**: This name is a more complete version of "Ka ʻĪlio," meaning "the dog of Hawaiʻi." It emphasizes the island's connection to the larger archipelago.
11. **Ka ʻĪlio o Keawe**: This name is another local name, meaning "the dog of Keawe." It is believed to be named after a legendary Hawaiian king named Keawe.
12. **Ka ʻĪlio o Kaʻū**: This name is another local name, meaning "the dog of Kaʻū." It is believed to be named after the Kaʻū district on the island, which is known for its rugged beauty and volcanic landscapes.
13. **Ka ʻĪlio o Kohala**: This name is another local name, meaning "the dog of Kohala." It is believed to be named after the Kohala district on the island, which is known for its towering cliffs and lush valleys.
14. **Ka ʻĪlio o Kona**: This name is another local name, meaning "the dog of Kona." It is believed to be named after the Kona district on the island, which is known for its sunny beaches and coffee plantations.
15. **Ka ʻĪlio o Puna**: This name is another local name, meaning "the dog of Puna." It is believed to be named after the Puna district on the island, which is known for its volcanic activity and black sand beaches.
16. **Ka ʻĪlio o Hilo**: This name is another local name, meaning "the dog of Hilo." It is believed to be named after the Hilo district on the island, which is known for its lush rainforests and stunning waterfalls.
17. **Ka ʻĪlio o Hamakua**: This name is another local name, meaning "the dog of Hamakua." It is believed to be named after the Hamakua district on the island, which is known for its rolling hills and agricultural lands.
18. **Ka ʻĪlio o Waimea**: This name is another local name, meaning "the dog of Waimea." It is believed to be named after the Waimea district on the island, which is known for its cattle ranches and picturesque coastline.
19. **Ka ʻĪlio o Kau**: This name is another local name, meaning "the dog of Kau." It is believed to be named after the Kau district on the island, which is known for its arid landscapes and volcanic activity.
20. **Ka ʻĪlio o Mauna Kea**: This name is another local name, meaning "the dog of Mauna Kea." It is believed to be named after the dormant volcano on the island, which is known for its snow-capped peak and pristine environment.
21. **Ka ʻĪlio o Mauna Loa**: This name is another local name, meaning "the dog of Mauna Loa." It is believed to be named after the active volcano on the island, which is the largest volcano on Earth.
22. **Ka ʻĪlio o Kilauea**: This name is another local name, meaning "the dog of Kilauea." It is believed to be named after the active volcano on the island, which is known for its dramatic lava flows and eruptions.
23. **Ka ʻĪlio o Hualalai**: This name is another local name, meaning "the dog of Hualalai." It is believed to be named after the dormant volcano on the island, which is known for its scenic beauty and historic significance.
24. **Ka ʻĪlio o Kohala**: This name is another local name, meaning "the dog of Kohala." It is believed to be named after the Kohala district on the island, which is known for its towering cliffs and lush valleys.
25. **Ka ʻĪlio o Kona**: This name is another local name, meaning "the dog of Kona." It is believed to be named after the Kona district on the island, which is known for its sunny beaches and coffee plantations.
26. **Ka ʻĪlio o Puna**: This name is another local name, meaning "the dog of Puna." It is believed to be named after the Puna district on the island, which is known for its volcanic activity and black sand beaches.
27. **Ka ʻĪlio o Hilo**: This name is another local name, meaning "the dog of Hilo." It is believed to be named after the Hilo district on the island, which is known for its lush rainforests and stunning waterfalls.
28. **Ka ʻĪlio o Hamakua**: This name is another local name, meaning "the dog of Hamakua." It is believed to be named after the Hamakua district on the island, which is known for its rolling hills and agricultural lands.
29. **Ka ʻĪlio o Waimea**: This name is another local name, meaning "the dog of Waimea." It is believed to be named after the Waimea district on the island, which is known for its cattle ranches and picturesque coastline.
30. **Ka ʻĪlio o Kau**: This name is another local name, meaning "the dog of Kau." It is believed to be named after the Kau district on the island, which is known for its arid landscapes and volcanic activity.
31. **Ka ʻĪlio o Mauna Kea**: This name is another local name, meaning "the dog of Mauna Kea." It is believed to be named after the dormant volcano on the island, which is known for its snow-capped peak and pristine environment.
32. **Ka ʻĪlio o Mauna Loa**: This name is another local name, meaning "the dog of Mauna Loa." It is believed to be named after the active volcano on the island, which is the largest volcano on Earth.
33. **Ka ʻĪlio o Kilauea**: This name is another local name, meaning "the dog of Kilauea." It is believed to be named after the active volcano on the island, which is known for its dramatic lava flows and eruptions.
34. **Ka ʻĪlio o Hualalai**: This name is another local name, meaning "the dog of Hualalai." It is believed to be named after the dormant volcano on the island, which is known for its scenic beauty and historic significance.
35. **Hawaiʻi Nui**: This name is a Hawaiian phrase that literally means "big Hawaiʻi," referring to the island's size and importance.
36. **Moku o Hawaiʻi**: This name is a Hawaiian phrase that literally means "island of Hawaiʻi," emphasizing the island's distinct identity within the archipelago.
37. **Aina o Hawaiʻi**: This name is a Hawaiian phrase that literally means "land of Hawaiʻi," highlighting the island's rich natural resources and cultural heritage.
38. **Ka ʻĀina o ka Ulu**: This name is a Hawaiian phrase that literally means "the land of the breadfruit," referring to the abundance of breadfruit trees on the island.
39. **Ka ʻĀina o ka ʻŌhiʻa**: This name is a Hawaiian phrase that literally means "the land of the ʻōhiʻa lehua," referring to the iconic ʻōhiʻa lehua tree that is native to the island.
40. **Ka ʻĀina o ka Lei**: This name is a Hawaiian phrase that literally means "the land of the lei," referring to the island's long tradition of lei making and wearing.