Facts About Hawaii

The state of Hawaii is a chain of rugged islands, coral reefs, and rocky shoals located in the North Pacific Ocean. It occupies all except for the 2 square miles (5 square kilometers) of the Midway Islands. The Hawaiian Archipelago is crossed near its northwestern end by the Tropic of Cancer. It is some 2,400 miles (3,860 kilometers) away from the West coast of the United States mainland.

ECONOMY: Hawaii's cost of living is one of America's highest, its per capita personal income below average. In fact, Hawaii's cost of living for a family of four is estimated to be approximately 27% higher than the U.S. average for a comparable standard of living. In 1999, Hawaii's average per capita personal income of $27,544 was 3.5% below the U.S. average - the price of living in Paradise!

GEOGRAPHY: Hawaii is the most remote island chain in the world, over 2,000 miles from the nearest landfall. Distance makes for splendid isolation - these Polynesian islands are removed from all else but one another. Hawaii consists of eight major islands plus 124 minor islands, reefs and shoals, strung like a necklace across the Pacific for over 1,500 miles. The eight major islands (which make up over 99% of the total land area) are Oahu, Maui, Hawaii (known as Big Island), Kauai, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe (uninhabited) and Niihau (privately owned).

Each of the major islands has an identity all its own. Oahu is as different from Molokai and Maui as Kauai is from Lanai and the Big Island - each as varied and colorful as the official state flower, the hibiscus. With their collective mass of 4.1 million acres or 6,450 square miles, these islands form the fourth smallest state in the United States. Beyond mere geography, to Hawaiians the land is "mother". The Hawaiian word for land, 'aina, literally means "that which feeds". It doesn't belong to us; we belong to it, and are part of it.

There are about 132 named islands and islets in the chain, which curves 1,523 miles (2,451 kilometers) southeast to northwest. Hawaii's land area of 6,425 square miles (16,641 square kilometers) is less than that of any other state except Connecticut, Delaware, and Rhode Island.

The islands of Hawaii are the worn tops of great volcanoes. They were raised from the bottom of the ocean by tremendous upheavals millions of years ago. Because of their volcanic origin, the islands do not have the variety of physiographic regions usually found in the other 49 states. Typically, Hawaii is mountainous. The larger islands have one or more central spines of mountains. This spine drops to a slanted plain that then slopes more gradually down to the shore. Where beaches occur along the shore they are either white with coral sand or black with pulverized lava. In the interior are a few valleys and gulches.Some parts of the islands rise from the sea in a sheer cliff called a pali. The cliffs are thousands of feet high in some places. Some of the smaller islets in the Hawaiian Archipelago are barely above sea level when the ocean tides run high.

Hawaii State Capital: Honolulu
Hawaii Population: 1,211,537 (as of 2000)
Hawaii Major Industries: tourism, agriculture (bananas, pineapples, macadamia nuts, taro)
Highest Point: Mauna Kea - 13796 feet (4,205 m) above sea level
Hawaii State Nickname: Aloha State

• Sample Hawaii's rich history and culture, hike through lush parks and botanical gardens, or take a relaxing time-out on the beach of your choice. There are too many great places to visit in Hawaii so I suggest visiting this website to see a thorough look at all the islands and what there is to do: http://www.Hawaii.com/
• MAUNA LOA VOLCANO: The most massive volcano on earth, containing 10,000 cubic miles of solid, iron-hard lava. Elevation 13,677 feet. All paved park roads are open to bicycles.
• KILAUEA VOLCANO: One of the most active volcanoes on Earth. Site of Crater Rim Drive and its sulfur banks, steam vents, moon walks, lava tubes, and the newest land on earth.
• OHIA LEHUA RAIN FOREST: In striking contrast to the stark volcanic landscape, a beautiful rain forest flourishes on the windward side of Kilauea. The ohia lehua, with its bright red flower, the lehua, is the most common tree in the Park.
• KAHUWAI BAY: A pretty bay fronting the North Kona resorts in historic Kaupulehu, an area full of Hawaiian myths and legends.
• KAILUA-KONA SUNSET: The Kona Coast is well known for its beautiful sunsets.
• Maui: Visit all the beautiful places of Maui, Hawaii such as: Paia Town, Hookipa Overlook, Twin Falls, Waikamoi Ridge, Puohokamoa Falls, Kaumahina State Park, and more!
• MALUAKA BEACH: One of Maui's loveliest beaches - sandy bottom gently slopes to overhead depths.

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