The State of Hawaii

The US state of Hawaii is a1523-mile volcanic chain of islets and eight main islands, namely Hawaii (also known as The Big Island), Maui, Kauai, Kahoolawe, Molokai, Lanai, Oahu, and Niihau in the northern Pacific Ocean some 2300 miles from San Francisco. The chief islands are Hawaii (The Big Island) Maui, Oahu, Kauai and Molokai.

The islands first settlers were Polynesian arriving from other Pacific islands some time between 300 and 600 AD. In 1778 the British explorer Captain James Cook landed on Kauai and named the islands the Sandwich Islands in honour of the Earl of Sandwich. British and other European settlers followed him, some of them becoming advisors to the self-appointed monarch of the islands. However, Hawaii’s traditional way of life came under threat. With the increasing commercial and agricultural development placed on it, combined with the influence of American land-owning missionaries the USA became the major influence. Eventually the independent kingdom became a republic and in 1898 was annexed to the US, becoming a territory in 1900. In 1959 Hawaii became the 50th state of the USA.

Very few of the population are descended from the original Polynesians, the majority being American and Japanese plus a number of other ethnic races including Chinese and Filipinos. However, whatever their background today’s Hawaiians embrace the ‘Aloha’ sentiment with a warm welcome to visitors to their beautiful islands.

The islands of Hawaii are stunningly beautiful – beaches edged with swaying palms, amazing cliffs clawing finger-like at the ocean, deep, lush valleys and glorious flowers. The volcano on Hawaii island at Kilauea is still active, regularly spewing out lava into the sea creating new land.

The islands enjoy a subtropical climate suitable for growing pineapples, sugar cane, coffee and macadamia nuts.

The state capital is Honolulu on Oahu.

Oahu is the most developed of the islands and where most visitors vacation. Honolulu is a fairly small city with Waikiki, its famous beach some three miles to the east. It is one of the most photographed beaches in the world, due to its incomparable backdrop of Diamond Head – an extinct volcano. Tucked amongst the tower block, plate-glass hotels are two charming earlier examples – the Royal Hawaiian and the Moana.


The beach at Waikiki

The Iolani Palace built for King David Kalakaua is open to the public, also worth visiting is the Hawaii Maritime Center, the Bishop Museum with its examples of Polynesian culture and the excellent Academy of Arts. But Honolulu is probably most famous for Pearl Harbour, seven miles out of town. Pearl Harbour is the chief base for the US Pacific fleet. Visitors are not allowed on the base but it is possible to take a ferry to see the simple memorial standing over the wreck of the battleship USS Arizona where 1100 of its crew died during the disastrous surprise Japanese attack on 7 December 1941. The USS Missouri, a survivor of the attack and on which the ceremony in Tokyo Harbour that ended World War II took place, is moored adjacent to the Arizona.


Pearl Harbour

Away from Honolulu visitors are drawn to the Plantation Village, a living history museum and botanical garden, depicting life on a sugar plantation.

Molokai is a peaceful, undeveloped island of flowers, towering cliffs and pineapples. Its main town, Kaunakakai, retains the feel of its 19th century splendour. A drive along Kamehemeha V Highway to Halawa Valley affords views of incomparable scenery. The isolated Kalaupapa pensular forms the Kalaupapa National Historical Park. Between 1865 and 1969 it was a leper colony. There are no active cases of leprosy on the island but some of the existing patients have chosen to remain there.


Fleming Beach - Maui

Maui is the second biggest island and a thriving tourist destination. A tourist destination it maybe but it is still is stunningly beautiful and is a superb choice for anybody favouring activity holidays – chiefly water based. The historic significance of Lahaina (it was the capital of Hawaii in the early 19th century, as well as being a whaling port) draws visitors who delight in strolling along its main street fringed with palms and lined with timber-frame buildings whilst enjoying the stunning seascape. Kaanapali with its magnificent beaches is the main resort and Kapalua offers superb water sports facilities. Hike through the Haleakala National Park that covers the dormant 10,000’ volcano and take one of the trails down to its crater, almost eight miles across.

Hawaii (The Big Island) is still growing thanks to the Kilauea volcano, which whilst it has destroyed towns and roads, spews out quantities of lava creating new land. The vast Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park, which includes Kilauea and Mauna Loa, is an exciting mix of steaming craters and cones of cinders as well as rainforest. Hilo claims the title of the wettest city in the US and one of the wettest in the world! But the rainfall has ensured the most amazing lush growth of flowering trees and plants.

The island’s biggest town, and second biggest in the state, is Hilo, the victim of two massive tsunami which destroyed much of it. The story of the disasters is told in the Pacific Tsunami Museum. One of the world’s most important observatories is located on the summit of the volcano Mauna Kea and to learn more about the workings of the observatory visit the Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaii.

The Big Island’s chief resort is Kailua (often called Kona). It was here that early kings of the islands resided. At close by Kealakekua Bay Captain Cook was killed in 1779.


Surfing Seas of Kauai

Kauai is the oldest of the main islands and nicknamed the Garden Isle. The high annual rainfall has created awe inspiringly dramatic scenery with massive cliffs, gorges and waterfalls. There are some splendid, though sometimes difficult, hiking trails on the island and it is excellent for bird watching.

The major airports serving Hawaii are Honolulu International on Oahu, Hilo International and Kona International on Hawaii – The Big Island.