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When you come to the Hawaiian Islands you are visiting a special place rich in natural, historical, and cultural attractions as well as the tropical and ocean fun that brings most of us to the island. We hope that the information on these pages makes your stay more enjoyable and helps you enjoy the many things Hawai'i has to offer. Palm tree The history of the Hawaiian people stretches back at least a millennium and probably much longer. Hawaiians may well have been navigating the vast Pacific Ocean 1000 years before the first Europeans ventured over the horizon. They did this in canoes similar to those you will see along the shore today. Because they had no written language, Hawaiians remembered their history through chants, songs, and dance. So when you enjoy those hula dancers or hear a beautiful song, remember that you might actually be in history class! When the Hawaiians settled this island they found a land different from any they had probably ever seen. There were high mountain peaks sometimes covered with snow and volcanic activity unlike anything found in places they may have traveled from. The flora and fauna were probably familiar to them. West coast of the Big Island The geological features that shaped the island also produce the fun activities we all enjoy. The fertile volcanic soil, trade winds, and tropical climate make the lush vegetation possible and the isolation has produced the rich array of sea life snorkelers and divers enjoy. And without the volcanoes there would be no black or green sand beaches.