On August 21st, 1959, Hawai'i became the 50th State in the USA, and the only one that had formerly been a kingdom in its own right. It is the most remote island archipeligo in the world, located "2400 miles from reality" in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. It is home to more unique species of plants and animals than any place else on the planet. While it is just below the tropic of Cancer, the famous "Tradewinds" coming from the North-East make for a wonderful climate year-round.
If you are still not quite sure where Hawai'i is, a "Satellite's Eye View" of the Islands is available from the GOES10 satellite.
While the state consists of many small islands, there are really only 4 MAIN islands, each of which is a county. The maps that follow are approximately to scale.
The southernmost and easternmost of the islands, and containing twice the land-area of all the other islands put together, Hawai'i also boasts the lowest population density. It also has one of the most active volcanoes in the world, and more seismic activity than California. If that wasn't enough, measured from its submarine base in the Hawaiian trough, to the summit (at 13,796 feet above sea level), the dormant volcano Mauna Kea is taller than Mt. Everest with a combined height of 33,476 feet. It gets cold enough at the summit that, from time to time, the scientists (who are using one of the world's best windows on the cosmos at the Mauna Kea Observatory) can take some time off to ski.
The Kilauea caldera, a smaller volcano to the west of Mauna Loa , gives us a chance to stand on the youngest land on earth, as well as experience the indescribable awe in watching Pele fight her endless battle against the sea with molten, sometimes explosively erupting, lava. This volcano is perhaps the most recognizable aspect of "The Orchid Island." Hawaii's youth is also the cause of the island's lack of extensive white-sand beaches - most of the shoreline is black, hardened lava cliffs.
Locally, "The Big Island" is known for it's expansive ranch lands (Parker Ranch in Waimea is said to be the largest single-owner cattle ranch in the country), macadamia nut farms, orchid farmers, and (until recently) a substantial sugar industry. It's also recalled fondly as one of the last surviving homes of "old Hawai'i ", still possessing the essence of the aloha spirit and ohana; a friendly, laid-back style no longer found in the big cities. The birthplace of Kamehameha the Great, the native Hawaiian movement is strongly supported and represented - developments and construction are fiercely fought.
Although the second most populous island, Hawai'i by virtue of its area, has the lowest population density of the state. Hawai'i county has two large towns: Hilo , (the rainiest city in the US, with an average of 128 inches of rainfall each year) which is home to Hawai'i 's premiere Hula competition, the Merrie Monarch Festival (held in April); and Kailua-Kona home to the world-recognized Ironman Triathlon (held in October).
Interesting sites include:
Just south-east of Hawai'i is what will someday be the newest Hawaiian island, the Lo'ihi seamount (undersea volcano).
It should be pointed out that this is *NOT* the island that most people think of when they think "Hawai'i ". Normally, they are thinking about...
This is the most urbanized island with about 90% of the state population, most of which is concentrated in the City of Honolulu , which is also the state Capital. World-famous Waikiki is a small beachfront hotel district separated from Honolulu proper by the hockey-stick-shaped Ala Wai canal.
To the north is the Ko'olau mountains, through which pass two separate highways connecting Honolulu to two nearby Windward (North-East) -side towns, namely the Likelike (to Kaneohe ) and the Pali (to Kailua ), the latter of which is quite interesting because it passes through Nu'uanu , which is a lush valley famous as the site of the royal tombs (which are closed to the public). One of my favourite drives is to take Nu'uanu-Pali drive (a parallel side-road) to the Pali lokout
Some other cities on O'ahu are Ewa (famous as the home of the "Evil Chirping Snail of Ewa Beach" (8-) on the Leeward (South-West) side, and Hale'iwa on the North-West side. One also mustn't forget Pearl City, which has a famous harbour...
Important sites on the island include (in alpha order):
Spectacular sites include:
Then again, it is also famous for ... another kind of "industry" (8-) :
This is what most people wish all of Hawai'i was still like. A lovely, lush, spectacular paradise, with seacliffs (esp. the "Na Pali " trail), hiking trails, spectacular waterfalls, and beautiful beaches. The sunsets from Poipu Beach are well worth the trip to the island. Several very nice golf courses, and many beautiful resorts in the Princeville area. Also many historic sites, and the beautiful Hanalei valley, where certain crops are grown in a somewhat traditional manner. Well worth visiting, and a favourite hangout for some of Hollywood's 'Glitterati'.
There are a few very small towns....
