[SamAdams76]

The big island of Hawaii is perhaps my favorite spot on Earth. I prefer it to all the other Hawaiian islands. Where else on earth can you go from sandy beaches, to rain forest, to lava desposits and snow-capped mountains all within a couple hours drive?

When people picture Hawaii, they typically don't think of a scene like that below.

[dhs12345]

Avoid the Big Island if you are a general tourist. It is a tourist rip off. Even Oahu is better than the Big Island. At least on Oahu, prices are more reasonable. But the best island is Maui (of the 3 that I stayed on).

[woodbutcher1963]

I have been to Maui, Oahu and the Big Island.
I enjoyed the Big Island too because I didn't think it was such a tourist ripoff like Maui. Everything on Maui was so expensive. Whereas on Hawaii you could find places where the locals/normal people could eat and afford to live.

Other friends like Kauai the best because it is so less developed than the other islands.

[sushiman]

“The big island of Hawaii is perhaps my favorite spot on Earth.”

Mine as well . Visited 3 times from Japan between 2007 and 2011 . First I walked off the plane and down the stairs to the runway I looked around and thought to myself that I felt like I was coming home .

[Deplorable American1776]

I read that it has the only ski area in the Pacific.

[Phinneous]

The Island of Crete is like that, sans volcanos. Warm beaches in the summer but you could look up to the snowy mountain peaks.