(Actually, It is often cheaper and faster for Alaskans to go to Hawaii than it is to go to most lower 48 states destinations. That's why Hawaii is Alaska's winter playground site.)
The Hawaiian Islands include 137 islands of which there are eight major islands in the main group. Not all of these eight are inhabited, but all may be seen from those that are. Hawaii is the 50th state, joining the union in August 1959, just seven months after Alaska (January 1959). There are 4,217 miles of highways in Hawaii, compared with even fewer miles in Alaska. The population of Hawaii is composed of 22.1% Hawaiian/part Hawaiian, 20.5% Caucasian, 18.3% Japanese, 12.3% Filipino, and 4.1% Chinese. The major islands are listed below in their geographic order, north to south.
North Kihei, Maui - The Valley Isle
Hawaii - Big Island
Position
Island
Nickname
Color
Flower
Land area
Population
Highlight
1.
Ni’ihau
Forbidden Island
White
pupu
69.5 sq. mi.
60
Private ownership
2.
Kaua’i
Garden Isle
Purple
mokihana
552.3 sq. mi.
58,463
Oldest, wettest, greenest
3.
O’ahu
Gathering place
Yellow
ilima
596.7 sq. mi.
876,156
Pearl Harbor, Waikiki
4.
Moloka’i
Friendly Island
Green
white kukui
264 sq. mi.
7,404
White sand, lepers
5.
Lana’i
Pineapple Island
Orange
kauna’oa
140.5 sq. mi.
3,193
Most secluded
6.
Kaho’olawe
Military target
Grey
hinahina
44.6 sq. mi.
none
Smallest
7.
Maui
Valley Isle
Pink
lokelani
1,159 sq. mi.
117,644
Haleakala, Hana
8.
Hawaii
Orchid Island
Red
lehua ohia
4,028 sq. mi.
148,677
Big Island, largest, youngest
© January 2003 - Clyde E. Pearce
Clyde at Ho'okena Black Sand Beach, Big Island
I Love this place!
Kauai
Lanai
Maui
Molokai
Oahu
Loihi - The next Island
Find your name in Hawaiian
Online Hawaiian Dictionary
Weather
[Tides-NOAA]
Time zones
Sunrise/sunset
UV index
Temperature Conversion
Moon phases
HAWAII FACTOID: The state tree in Hawaii is the Kukui tree, or Candlenut. A search of the net will take you to sites that describe burning the seed nut like a candle, which seems to make sense. So I found some, burned them, and confirmed that they will support a flame. So THAT's why they are called "candlenuts", I presumed. I wonder if the macademia, which is not native to Hawaii, but does seem to be high in fat, will also burn. Sure enough, the macademia nut burns. In fact the walnut, pecan, cashew, Brazil nut, filberts, even the peanut which is actually a legume will burn with a soft flame when lit! So, what is the big deal about a kukui nut that gave it the name candlenut? Do your own search for...."the rest of the story".
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