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In 1778, Captain James Cook became the first known European to go to the Hawaiian Islands. He named the islands the Sandwich Islands, after the Earl of Sandwich. Polynesian kings and a queen ruled the islands for about 100 years, making Hawaii the only state that was ever an independent monarchy. Because of this, it is also the only state with a royal palace. The state of Hawaii gets its name from the island of Hawaii, one of the eight major islands. However, no one is sure of the origin of the island's name. Some people believe that the island was named after Hawaii Loa, the Polynesian who discovered the island. Other people think the name came from Hawaiki, the old name of islands where Polynesians live. Hawaii's nickname is the "Aloha State." Aloha means love.
Hawaii's cultural environment is the result of layer upon layer of various cultural groups. The culture of Hawai'i is arguably one of the strongest remaining in the world, and certainly within the United States. The culture and practices of the Hawaiian people remains very evident on the islands, even though the Hawaiian race itself has become diminished and "diluted" over the years - few pure blood Hawaiians remain in the general population. Remnants of New English culture remain, though not nearly to the degree of early Asian immigrants who came to work in the sugar cane fields in the early 20th century.
Additionally, Polynesian influence in the islands is strong as one might expect. Today Hawaii is a truly a melting pot of many cultures, beliefs, and heritage. The arts are of high interest in the islands, either in the form of music, photography, hula dance, or art. Galleries for art and photography are prominent throughout the islands, music has worked its way around the globe and into several major movies, and the hula is world renown. Appreciation of classical, modern, and experimental art forms is evident in attendance figures at galleries, concerts, legitimate theater performances, and museums. Many ethnic groups preserve the traditions of their ancestors by combining or modifying music and dance forms.
Additionally, Polynesian influence in the islands is strong as one might expect. Today Hawaii is a truly a melting pot of many cultures, beliefs, and heritage. The arts are of high interest in the islands, either in the form of music, photography, hula dance, or art. Galleries for art and photography are prominent throughout the islands, music has worked its way around the globe and into several major movies, and the hula is world renown. Appreciation of classical, modern, and experimental art forms is evident in attendance figures at galleries, concerts, legitimate theater performances, and museums. Many ethnic groups preserve the traditions of their ancestors by combining or modifying music and dance forms.
Hawaii has wide variety of weather and climate. Hawaii weather is seldom violent. Island climates range from Kauai's Mt. Waialeale, the wettest spot on earth, to very dry and sunny Polihale Beach, only a few miles away. You can even ski! Find out more about Hawaii weather and its year around climate. Hawaii air temperatures follow a seasonal pattern. At sea level, the all day average air temperature varies from about 78 degrees in August to 72 degrees in February. Temperature varies depending on location. There are two main factors: Altitude and exposure of the area to prevailing winds. The prevailing winds are from the northeast. The northeast side of each island is called the windward side. The windward side of each island tends to be cooler and wetter. The high temperatures here rarely reach 90° F. The leeward side is warmer and dryer, Temperatures exceed 90° F several days a year. The temperatures at altitudes below 1000 feet very rarely drop to 50° F. Above 8000 feet, there is occasional freezing and even snow.
The first thing that comes to most peoples' minds when thinking of Hawaii is probably the beaches, but there are also many famous cities in Hawaii. These cities are known for things like uniqueness, arts and entertainment and often, yes their beaches.
Honolulu and its Waikiki District, on Oahu - Hawaii's state capitol and county seat of Oahu, Honolulu is home to some of Hawaii's - and the world's - most famous places, including Waikiki Beach, views of Diamond Head , Iolani Palace, the only palace on U.S. soil and Pearl Harbor.
Lahaina, Maui - Once a whaling town, Lahaina is Maui's most popular city. This is the best place to go on Maui for nightlife, luau, art galleries and shops. It's best known though for whale sightseeing, from land or from one of the many boat tours out of Lahaina Harbor.
Kihei, Maui - Often called a little California, sunny Kihei has the most condos per square mile on the island, and you'll find the best rates here, overall. It is also home to some of the prettiest white sand beaches on the island.
Hilo, Big Island - The county seat of Hawaii Island (the Big Island) this is the rainiest city in the United States, is very laid back and local in nature. It's also got two great little museums – Lyman House and the Pacific Tsunami Museum and one of my favorite parks, Liliokalani on Banyan Drive - is a pretty park with Japanese gardens and a view of Hilo Bay.
Kailua-Kona - Technically, just Kailua, but we add the "Kona" to differentiate the Big Island's Kailua from Oahu's - and most people actually just call it Kona. This is the most visited city on the Big Island. It's not very big but it's where tourists and locals go to on the Kona side for shopping, boat tours and restaurants.
Honolulu and its Waikiki District, on Oahu - Hawaii's state capitol and county seat of Oahu, Honolulu is home to some of Hawaii's - and the world's - most famous places, including Waikiki Beach, views of Diamond Head , Iolani Palace, the only palace on U.S. soil and Pearl Harbor.
Lahaina, Maui - Once a whaling town, Lahaina is Maui's most popular city. This is the best place to go on Maui for nightlife, luau, art galleries and shops. It's best known though for whale sightseeing, from land or from one of the many boat tours out of Lahaina Harbor.
Kihei, Maui - Often called a little California, sunny Kihei has the most condos per square mile on the island, and you'll find the best rates here, overall. It is also home to some of the prettiest white sand beaches on the island.
Hilo, Big Island - The county seat of Hawaii Island (the Big Island) this is the rainiest city in the United States, is very laid back and local in nature. It's also got two great little museums – Lyman House and the Pacific Tsunami Museum and one of my favorite parks, Liliokalani on Banyan Drive - is a pretty park with Japanese gardens and a view of Hilo Bay.
Kailua-Kona - Technically, just Kailua, but we add the "Kona" to differentiate the Big Island's Kailua from Oahu's - and most people actually just call it Kona. This is the most visited city on the Big Island. It's not very big but it's where tourists and locals go to on the Kona side for shopping, boat tours and restaurants.
Honolulu is a modern city of high- rises, and home to the famous Pearl Harbor. Most visitors will arrive in Honolulu, stay near the beaches of Waikiki, and tour the harbor.
Waikiki is the premier tourist destination in Hawaii, with a beautiful crescent shaped beach, backed by all kinds of shops, restaurants and countless hotels and resorts.
Located on the Big Island of Hawaii, Hilo has been in existence since the arrival of Captain Cook. The Old Town has been wonderfully maintained and lush gardens are plentiful.
Lahaina has a history of whaling, missionaries, and royalty. The town has tried to maintain its frontier-like appearance and character but now caters to tourists.
Kailua Kona is situated on the popular Kona Coast of the Big Island. The town is home to the Ahuena Heiau temple and offers a number of choices for fine dining and shopping.
Kihei has become a popular holiday destination on Maui due to its beautiful stretch of beach with views to a number of offshore islands. Hotels and condos are plentiful here.
Waikiki is the premier tourist destination in Hawaii, with a beautiful crescent shaped beach, backed by all kinds of shops, restaurants and countless hotels and resorts.
Located on the Big Island of Hawaii, Hilo has been in existence since the arrival of Captain Cook. The Old Town has been wonderfully maintained and lush gardens are plentiful.
Lahaina has a history of whaling, missionaries, and royalty. The town has tried to maintain its frontier-like appearance and character but now caters to tourists.
Kailua Kona is situated on the popular Kona Coast of the Big Island. The town is home to the Ahuena Heiau temple and offers a number of choices for fine dining and shopping.
Kihei has become a popular holiday destination on Maui due to its beautiful stretch of beach with views to a number of offshore islands. Hotels and condos are plentiful here.
A system of state highways encircles each main island. Only Oahu has federal highways, and is the only area outside the contiguous 48 states to have signed Interstate highways. Travel can be slow due to narrow winding roads, and congestion in cities. Each major island has a public bus system.
Honolulu International Airport is the major commercial aviation hub of Hawaii, with intercontinental services to North America, Asia, Australia, and Oceania. Within Hawaii, Hawaiian Airlines, Mokulele Airlines and go! Use jets between the larger airports in Honolulu, Līhue, Kahului, Kona and Hilo, while Island Air and Pacific Wings serve smaller airports. These airlines also provide air freight service between the islands.
Private steamships and ferries were the sole way of traveling between the islands from the 19th century until the 1950s. Seaflite operated hydrofoils between the major islands in the mid-1970s. The Hawaii Superferry operated between Oahu and Maui between December 2007 and March 2009, with additional routes planned for other islands. Legal issues over environmental impact statements and protests ended the service, though the company operating Superferry has expressed a wish to begin ferry service again at a future date. Currently there is passenger ferry service in Maui County between Moloka'i and Maui, and between Lana'i and Maui, though neither of these takes vehicles. Norwegian Cruise Lines also provides passenger cruise ship service between the islands.
At one time, Hawaii had a network of railroads on each of the larger islands that helped move farm commodities as well as passengers. These railroads were all narrow gauge 3 feet gauge for the majority although there were some 2 feet 6 in gauge on some of the smaller islands – standard US gauge is 4 feet 8 1⁄2 in. The largest by far was the Oahu Railway and Land Company which ran multiple lines from Honolulu across the western and northern part of Oahu. The OR&L was an important player moving troops and goods during World War II. Traffic on this line was busy enough that there were signals on the lines facilitating movement of trains and wigwag signals at some railroad crossings for the protection of motorists. The mainline was officially abandoned in 1947, although part of it was bought by the US Navy and operated until 1970. Thirteen miles of track remain and preservationists occasionally run trains over a portion of this line.
Honolulu International Airport is the major commercial aviation hub of Hawaii, with intercontinental services to North America, Asia, Australia, and Oceania. Within Hawaii, Hawaiian Airlines, Mokulele Airlines and go! Use jets between the larger airports in Honolulu, Līhue, Kahului, Kona and Hilo, while Island Air and Pacific Wings serve smaller airports. These airlines also provide air freight service between the islands.
Private steamships and ferries were the sole way of traveling between the islands from the 19th century until the 1950s. Seaflite operated hydrofoils between the major islands in the mid-1970s. The Hawaii Superferry operated between Oahu and Maui between December 2007 and March 2009, with additional routes planned for other islands. Legal issues over environmental impact statements and protests ended the service, though the company operating Superferry has expressed a wish to begin ferry service again at a future date. Currently there is passenger ferry service in Maui County between Moloka'i and Maui, and between Lana'i and Maui, though neither of these takes vehicles. Norwegian Cruise Lines also provides passenger cruise ship service between the islands.
At one time, Hawaii had a network of railroads on each of the larger islands that helped move farm commodities as well as passengers. These railroads were all narrow gauge 3 feet gauge for the majority although there were some 2 feet 6 in gauge on some of the smaller islands – standard US gauge is 4 feet 8 1⁄2 in. The largest by far was the Oahu Railway and Land Company which ran multiple lines from Honolulu across the western and northern part of Oahu. The OR&L was an important player moving troops and goods during World War II. Traffic on this line was busy enough that there were signals on the lines facilitating movement of trains and wigwag signals at some railroad crossings for the protection of motorists. The mainline was officially abandoned in 1947, although part of it was bought by the US Navy and operated until 1970. Thirteen miles of track remain and preservationists occasionally run trains over a portion of this line.
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