The 7 Islands of Hawaii
The State of Hawaii
The
US state (fiftieth) of Hawaii or the Aloha state is a chain of more
than 100 green islands forming an archipelago in the middle of the
Pacific Ocean. Honolulu is the capital of Hawaii. The archipelago is
spread across an area of 1523 miles, forming the longest island chain in
the world. Hawaii is the widest and the most multiethnic US state with a
majority of nonwhites. It is also the only US state with expanding land
area due to erupting volcanoes. Coffee, sugarcane, and pineapple are
its other key crops. The vibrant culture here is a mix of Asian, North
American, and Polynesian native aboriginals. The pleasant weather
through the year adds to Hawaiian tourism merits.
The Geography
Six
prime islands Hawaii (the Big Island), Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Lanai, and
Molokai make up for the 99% land area of the state. Two more islands
Kahoolawe and Niihau are inhabited, but are not open for public.
Kahoolawe has many archeological and historic sites. Until sometime
back, it was US Navy & Air Force base. Even after the defense
withdrawal now, the island continues to be a restricted area under the
US Government control. Niihau is a privately owned island. You can enter
it only if the island owners invite you or the natives of the island do
so. The rest, over 110 small islands are still not fully explored.
Consisting mainly of reefs and corals, they have little or no human
population.
The Magical Islands of Hawaii
Hawaii: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is home to the world's most active volcanoes. Craters, deserts, rainforests, all exist here.
Oahu: The
island has Honolulu, the capital of Hawaii and the second most
expensive US city. Honolulu is also a county. Built in 1855, Foster
Botanical Garden is the oldest Hawaiian garden. It is situated near
Iolani Palace, the only palace in the US. Another city of Oahu, Waikki
is the most popular tourist destination in Hawaii.
Maui: This
Island is home to the world's largest dormant volcano Haleakala Crater.
Its most exciting zone is the Road to Hana, which is 55miles long.
Tremendous oceanic scenery, 26 bridges, and over 610 curves escalate the
intensity of journey.
Lanai: Once believed
to be ruled by the evil spirits, Lanai was also the biggest producer of
pineapple. Its Hulopoe Bay has white sand, which its clear, blue water
matches strikingly.
Kauai: Also known as the
Garden Isle, Kauai is the oldest prime Hawaiian Islands. Green
mountains, lush green landscapes, and the amazing beaches of Napali
Coast continue to fascinate Hollywood art directors. Mt. Waialeale is
the wettest point on earth. The island also boasts of Waimea Canyon,
commonly known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, due to its depth of
approximately 3000 feet and the length of 12 miles.
Molokai: Over
3000 feet high sea cliffs (the world's largest), 2165 feet high
waterfall (the world's longest), and 3 miles long Papohaku Beach (the
world's longest white sand beach), are the proud possessions of Northern
Molokai. The sandstones at Moomomi Dunes here were the site of the
earliest discovered Hawaiian fossils.
The Unseen: Most
of the Northwestern Hawaii is unexplored because the reefs surround it.
These reefs amount to about 70 percent of the world's total coral
reefs. Spread in 140,000 square miles, Papahanaumokuakea Marine National
Monument (earlier known as Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine
National Monument) present in this region is the world's largest marine
wildlife reserve. The monument consists of ten islands. Over 7000 marine
species, the endangered Hawaiian green sea turtle, and millions of
birds (both land birds and seabirds), find abode here.
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