About Hawaii
Made up of 137 major islands, islets, atolls, and reefs, the remote set of islands located in the Pacific Ocean are the most isolated in the entire world. From volcanic beginnings, Hawaii has grown into an island paradise, ripe with culture, history, stunning beauty, magnificent beaches, and a is a top vacation destination for travelers year round.
Formation
The islands were created over million of years, and are the exposed peaks of a massive mountain range beneath the sea, exposed due to activity of the hotspot and the gradual movement of the atoll over it. Moving from the southeastern most island (Big Island), to the most northwest (Kauai), the islands age increases from hundreds of thousands to millions of years. Every island is made up of at least one volcano, all of which are either dormant or extinct, with the exception of the Big Island's Kilauea, Hualālai, and Mauna Loa.
Major Islands
Oahu - The most populous of all islands, Oahu is home to approximately 75% of the island entire population and is the most frequent destination of Hawaii's visitors. Home to Waikiki Beach, Pearl Harbor, and the world famous beaches of the North Shore, Oahu is a diverse environment, stretching from the city of Honolulu, to the country of North Shore, and the rocky desert of the South Shore. The State Capital of Honolulu is located on the southeastern Oahu and it is here that you will find the oldest Chinatown in the country and the stunning architecture of buildings that once housed Hawaii's royalty, and currently are used for the City and State Government. The island is used frequently for Hollywood films and televisions shows, and currently visitors to the island can see the crew of 'Hawaii 5-0' filming around the island, including downtown Honolulu, and the newest hit show 'Off the Map' filming at a secluded location on Oahu's Windward Coast.
 Oahu Fun Fact: Oahu's Iolani Palace is the only palace in the United States. The palace was equipped with electricity 4 years before The White House and was the first palace in the world to install flushing toilets.
Big Island - The largest of all the islands, Big Island gained its nickname simply to avoid confusion. The island is actually the island of Hawaii, the entire island chain gained the name of Hawaii following the conquering of all islands under the rule of King Kamehameha the Great and is large enough to fit all of the other islands within its perimeter twice. 5 seperate volcanoes make up the island, 3 of which are still considered active (Kilauea, Hualālai, and Mauna Loa), and thousands of visitors flock each year to Volcanoes National Park for the chance to see the lava flow and activity of Mt. Kilauea.
Mount Kilauea has seen continuous eruption since January 3, 1983, and shows no signs of slowing. It is predicted that the volcanic acitivity will persist for at least the next 100 years, keeping geologists and scientists busy predicting and studying the events from Kiluea's summit and open vents.
Big Island's highest mountain peak is that of Mauna Kea. The highest point in Hawaii at 13,796 feet above sea level, the mountain is actually the highest peak in the entire world (over 33,000 feet tall), when measured from its sea base, significantly larger than the current highest peak in the world, Mount Everest (29,002 feet). Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa both receive snowfall annually, making a certainly amazing site and unique experience when visiting Hawaii's warm weather in the winter months.
Big Island Fun Fact: Waimea's Parker Ranch is the oldest working cattle ranch in the United States, and among the largest. Approximately 90% of the 135,000 acres is used solely for cattle grazing.
Maui - Often thought of as Hawaii's top island, Maui is a lovely paradise, filled with lush scenery and stunning beaches stretching the length of the island. The most visited attraction on the island is the 68-mile stretch of road around the southern portion of 'The Valley Isle.' The Hana Highway, or Road to Hana, is very often considered one of the most scenic drives in the entire country. Many hidden beaches and waterfalls, and scenic lookouts make the drive unlike any other in the world. Though not a drive to take lightly (it is best to use an experienced driver or tour operator), the sights and scenery make Maui's Road to Hana a can't miss.
Maui's most famous volcano is Haleakala. Located in eastern Maui, the last eruption came in the 17th century and the peak of the volcano is known for amazing views and picturesque sunsets. Haleakala, translated from early Hawaiian language as "House of the Sun", makes up more than 75% of the entire island of Maui and features rare and exclusive plants and flowers that grown only in volcanic soil of the mountain slopes.
Maui Fun Fact: The rare, endemic Haleakala Silversword grows only on the slopes of Haleakala between 6,900 and 9, 800 feet. The lifespan of the endemic plant can be more than 50 years, flowering once, and dying.
Kauai - The oldest of the Hawaiian Islands, Kauai is regarded as the most traditional and has kept the classic Hawaiian feel throughout the years. The island is largely undeveloped and free of major cities. Towns like Lihue and Hanapepe are the most populous, relying on farming and small business to operate the island.
The biggest attractions for visitors to see on the island is Waimea Canyon and the Na Pali Coast. Known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, the 10 mile long Waimea Canyon offers many hiking trails, scenic lookouts, and breathtaking views. The Na Pali Coast is inaccessible by car, but hiking along the canyons many trails, helicopter tours from above, and kayak and boating along the coastline offer stunning views of the shore cliffs.
Kauai Fun Fact: The quaint town of Hanapepe serves as the model for the home of popular Disney characters 'Lilo & Stitch'.
Molokai
Niihau
Lanai
Kaho'olawe
Weather & Climate
One of the best things about Hawaii is the weather. No matter the time of year, the temperature is warm, meaning its always time to surf, swim, relax on the beach, or just enjoy being outdoors. The weather pattern of each island is quite similar to the neighbor islands, with major differences coming in temperature differences of only a few degrees and the rainfall of each island. Every island has both desert areas and heavy rainfall areas, the proof showing through in the difference of the surroundings.
Take for instance the island of Oahu: the city of Honolulu, including Waikiki Beach, and the South Shore is a very dry and arid climtate. This part of the island receives between 20-40 inches of rain each year; whereas the other side of the island, encompassing the Windward towns of Kailua and Kaneohe and the Ko'olau mounains, receives between 60-120 inches of rain, depending on the exact location. When traveling between these two areas, the greenery of the tropical rainforest, compared to the desert of the rocky South Shore is quite obvious.
Hawaii Weather Fact: Areas around Mount Waialeale of Kauai receives, on average, about 440 inches of rainfall each year!
Places to Visit in Hawaii
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