Hawaii

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Introduction

Hawaii is USA's 50th state and a popular holiday destination for its citizens.

Geography

Hawaii is an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean roughly 3,200 kilometres southwest of the continental United States, to the south of Alaska, and north of Tahiti.

Major Islands

• Niihau
• Oahu is the main island where Honolulu can be found.
• Hawaii Island (or the Big Island)
• Kauai
• Maui
• Molokai
• Lanai
• Kahoolaawe

Cities

• Hilo
• Honolulu is the state's capital and largest city.
• Kailua
• Kaneohe
• Mililani Town
• Pearl City
• Waipahu
• Waimalu

Sights and Activities

Mouna Kea

2 of the 14 Observatories on Mauna Kea

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Mauna Kea is by some measures the tallest mountain in the world. It is located on the Big Island. When measured from the base of the mountain on the floor of the Pacific Ocean, it rises 10,203 m to its peak, taller than Mount Everest if using the same measurement. It is a dormant volcano, with its last eruption dating back to about 2500 BC.

In the Hawaiian language, Mauna Kea means "white mountain", so named because its summit is regularly covered with snow in winter. The mountain's summit is one of the best astronomical sites in the world and several leading observatories can be found there as a result.

• Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on Hawaii's Big Island is a 377 square mile park where visitors can get up close and personal with Hawaii's volcanoes.
• Waimea Canyon on the island of Kauai is 10 miles long a mile wide.
• Waikiki Beach on Oahu offers the chance to unwind.
• Haleakala National Park Hawaii

Events and Festivals

Weather

Hawaii is a popular destination among people looking for great weather. There are however differences throughout the year and even between parts of the islands. The southwestern parts are generally much drier compared to the northeastern parts of the islands. Honolulu is located in the southwest and has only between 20 and 50 mm of rain during most of the year, more so from November to February. Temperatures here are highest between July and October, around 28 degrees Celsius during the day and around 24 at night. The other months are still nice and warm, between 24 and 27 degrees during the day and around 20 at night.
The northeastern parts have even less fluctuation regarding temperatures though nights tend to be slighly cooler, days a bit warmer, especially in 'winter'. Here, rainfall is high with between 200 and 400 mm of rain a month, the wettest again from November to March.
It is quite unusual for tropical islands to have the wettest time of year coincide with the slightly cooler months. Oddly enough, the possibility of a tropical storm or even a hurricane is higher from May to November, opposite to the wetter months. Still, such storms are less frequent compared to for example the Caribbean or west Pacific.

Getting There

By Plane

Honolulu Airport on the island of Oahu (airport code: HNL) is the main gateway to the islands of Hawaii.
Dozens of international destinations are served, among which many cities in the US, like Los Angeles, Seatlle and New York City. Other destinations include Vancouver, Auckland, Fiji, Taiwan, Micronesia, American Samoa, Seoul, Melbourne, Sydney, Manila, and quite a few cities in Japan, including Tokyo and Osaka.

Other islands with flights, mainly from the US and Vancouver, are located on Maui, Kauai and Hawaii (the Big Island).

By Train

By Car

By Bus

By Boat

Getting Around

By Plane

There are dozens of flights between the islands of Hawaii, Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Lanai and Molokai. Airlines include Hawaiian Airlines, Mokulele Airlines, Island Air, Mesa Airlines and Pacific Air.

By Train

By Car

By Bus

By Boat

Hawaii Superferry provides services between Oahu and Maui. Expeditions has ferries between Maui and Lanai. Finally, Molokai Ferry travels once a day between Maui and Molokai.

Hawaii on a cruise. With two basic alternatives, Hawaii is one not to be missed. Start from Honolulu, go around the other Polynesian islands and get back to the most populated island takes around seven days. Other choices would leave from Vancouver, San Diego or LA. The longest cruise would take almost two weeks from mainland, taking few of those days to get to Hawaii. Visit the big Island and look at the volcanic formations, enjoy luxurious Oahu and Maui full of resorts and beautiful beaches.

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Sleep