Enjoy Hawaii Vacation!!

Water Sports in Hawaii

2007-12-09T12:36:00.002+09:00

Ah, Hawaii the perfect vacation spots for a magical getaway in a tropical paradise. There are few vacation destinations that offer as many attractions as Hawaii. The island of Oahu boasts huge cities with lots of shopping as well some cultural activities nestled amongst the North Shore surfing villages. The island also is home to the memorial at Pearl Harbor, which is on the top of the list of must see for Oahu

There are ample opportunities for playing golf as well. All of the islands have golf courses. They range from world championship golf courses to quiet laid back courses that have little or no greens fees.

But really Hawaii is all about the water sports. The state is an island surrounded by the Pacific Ocean that is home to some of the world's best and largest waves. In fact surfing was invented here in the islands. Oahu and Maui are most well known for surfing, particularly the North Shore of both islands, but you can really expect to see some pretty great waves just about anywhere in Hawaii. If you are a beginner, you should stick to the beginner friendly waves like Waikiki Beach on Oahu and Lahaina in Maui. The big waves on the North Shore of the islands should be left to the experts.

Diving and Snorkeling are another popular pastime for vacationers in Hawaii. There are some world famous dive spots like the molokini crater located off the coast of Maui. You can expect to see a wide variety of sea creatures here, such as, sharks, sea turtles, rays, and tons of different tropical fish. This is a great spot for snorkeling, as well as scuba diving. If you are anxious to try scuba, but don't think that you are quite ready; you could try a combination of the two called snuba. This is similar to scuba in that you have an air supply; however, it's attached to the boat and it floats above you. With scuba, however, you have to carry your air supply with you in a tank on your back. This is a good compromise if you want to get a feel for breathing underwater, but are not quite ready to make the scuba commitment.

Maui in particular is great for windsurfing and kite boarding. Kite boarding is similar to windsurfing or wake boarding, but throw in the fact that you need to be able to fly a kite, and the sport suddenly becomes difficult to master.

Hawaiians have been kayaking since ancient times. If kayaking is your thing, Hawaii is the place to be. All of the islands have something different to offer. On Oahu, Kailua Bay is a popular kayaking spot, where you can paddle over to an uninhabited island for some respite for the very busy Waikiki Beach. On Maui Kealakekua Bay is a great place for Kayaking. These waters are responsible for the downfall of Captain Cook. Molokai offers some great kayaking for the more experienced paddlers. Whatever you water sport pleasure, Hawaii is sure to please.

The Road to Hana- The second Half

2007-12-09T12:36:00.001+09:00

The second half of the road to Hana is even more exiting than the first. As you approach the town of Wailua, you will pass a few fruit stands offering homemade goodies and fruit. If you are hungry for a snack, this is the place to stop.

The first stop on this second half of this journey is Our Lady of Fatima Shrine. It is a little blue and white chapel built in the 1860's. This church has an existing congregation, but they no longer use this chapel as the current sanctuary.

Another site not to be missed is the Ka'eleku caverns. You can actually go into underground caves formed by lava eruptions from ancient volcanoes. You will probably need a four wheel drive vehicle to access this one. The Kahanu garden is a botanical garden located on the road to Hana. It is a National Conservation effort. The next stop just past the botanical garden is the sacred pools. They offer a natural water park of sorts. The view is spectacular and unlike anything that I have ever seen.

Near the top of the mountain, almost to Hana is Wai'anapanapa State Park. The park is located amongst an impressive black sand beach and has two caves that you can walk through. They actually lead to the ocean, so be careful. I have heard that there is an opportunity here for good snorkeling, but I will never find out. There are several signs warning would be swimmers of unusually large man of war, strong rip currents and sharks. Hmm, maybe I'll sit this one out!

Now get back in your car, for the next stop, Hana. Before I mentioned that Hana is not really all that spectacular considering all the gorgeous stops along the way, however, it is worth your time to stop in this sleepy little town. There are a couple of little caf・s that make for a good place to have lunch. The beach is complete with a pier that you should at least take a quick stroll on. Hana even has an airport. You can either stay in Hana at one of the few lodging options, or if you are like most people it is time to head back to the resort area.

Most people will drive back the way the came, perhaps stopping at a few of the places that they might have missed along the way. Or, if you are amongst the brave few, you may continue onward. This will require a four wheel drive vehicle. You will drive along a dirt path that could be called a road, but it's extremely winding and curvy, along the top of a cliff with no guard rails to protect motorist from falling hundreds of feet into the ocean below.

There are a few signs instructing drivers to honk in order to alert oncoming traffic, because this is only a one lane road. It is a little bit scary, but thrilling at the same time and the view is unbelievable. This isolated road complete with ocean views on one side and cow pastures only lasts for a few miles, and then it's back to civilization.

You can get a detailed map complete with a C.D. from your concierge or even the gas station. The map will give specific mile marker indications, allowing even the most lost prone driver to find these breathtaking sights.

The Road to Hana- The First Half

2007-12-09T12:35:00.001+09:00

Hana is a sleepy little town located in Maui on the backside of Haleakala. Hana is a fairly quiet town with only one or two hotels. It has a small public beach that when compared to some of the other beaches on Maui seem less than impressive. And what sleepy town would be complete without a horse ranch. Hana is definitely not lacking in charm. While millions of people travel through Hana each year, few people actually stay here. The road to Hana as the Hana highway has been dubbed is more about the journey, than the actual destination. If you were to drive straight from Kahului to Hana the trip would take you about two hours. But, as I said before, this trip is about the scenery.

If you were in a huge rush to get to Hana, you would be disappointed. In order to do this trip properly, you should be in no hurry and allow for an eleven or twelve hour trip.

The first place to stop on the road to Hana is the twin falls. They are impressive if you have never seen a waterfall, but you will see some much more spectacular views along this journey. The Ko'olau Forest Reserve is one stop along the way that you should not skip. You will first see Norfolk pines located on the hillside, then some vibrantly colored Eucalyptus trees (very impressive to the east coast native). Next you will see a vast expanse of bamboo trees. It's worth the time to visit this tropical forest.

If waterfalls are your thing, you are in luck. There is the famous Waikamoi falls located at the bridge just before the 10 mile marker. This waterfall is impressive to say the least. It stretches some hundreds of feet above the bridge, and it has several different colors of moss growing alongside the falls.

The next place to stop is the Kaumahina State Wayside Park. It has picnic tables and provides a wide ocean view. This is the perfect place to stop for a quick romantic lunch. For the next several miles there is a spectacular ocean view, offering ample opportunity to pull over and take pictures. If it has recently rained, then you are in for a special treat, you will see a plethora of water falls exhibiting a rainbow of colors due to the wild vegetation. You don't get much closer to perfection than this. At this point you are roughly halfway to Hana.

The Ke'anea Valley marks the halfway point to Hana. This valley is home to the Haleakala Crater, which was formed from an eruption of the Haleakala volcano. Lava erupted from the volcano and flowed into the valley creating this giant crater. It is a sight to see. As you drive on from here you will see a sign that says "halfway to hana". There is also a camp site here, so you can either make camp or explore around the first half some more, or you can drive onto Hana.

The Hawaiian Island of Ni'ihau

2007-12-09T12:33:00.002+09:00

Not all of the Hawaiian Islands have been as westernized as equally as others. Most people would say that Oahu is by far the most commercialized of the islands and that Molokai is the least. They are only partly right. The little known island of Ni'ihau is actually the least modernized and the least populated of the islands. Ni'ihau is located less than twenty miles from the island of Lanai. It is a private island not open to tourism. Thus the island has earned the name as the forbidden island. Ni'ihau is the only island where the predominant language is still Hawaiian. There is one school here that runs grades K-12 and the lessons are taught in Hawaiian.

English is introduced as a second language. The entire island is owned by the Ni'ihau ranch, which is owned by the Robinson family. The Robinsons provide food, clothing shelter, education and just about anything else their people need. There is no widespread electricity here. Don't expect to find cell service for your phone either.

Ni'ihau is the smallest inhabited Hawaiian Island; it's about 70 square miles. The economy of the island depends on farming, but that has not been very prosperous for over thirty years. The Robinson family has looked to the government for support in exchange for allowing military drills and mock practice operations. The Robinsons do not allow visitors on the island. In fact if a resident marries someone from even another Hawaiian Island, they will not be invited back into the community.

Ni'ihau is such a closed community that there really is no way to visit the island. The Robinsons have, however allowed a small window of opportunity to peak into the island. One is through a helicopter tour, but don't expect this one to be listed in the budget category of a tourism book. The pilot will fly the visitors to a beach location of the island. Here they will have the opportunity to go snorkeling, and lunch is provided. When leaving the island, the pilot will fly over most of the uninhabited parts of the island.

The second opportunity to see the island is to go on a Nihau Safari. Again, don't expect this one to be cheap. Everything needed to hunt for Polynesian boar and sheep will be provided for you. There are also snorkeling and scuba diving tours around the island of Ni'ihau. Most of these tours depart from Kauai and you cannot come ashore during your excursion.

There is a supply boat that runs from Lanai to Ni'ihau once a week. The boat runs from Kaumakani, which is headquarters of the Ni'ihau ranch. There is also a settlement of former residents that prefer to live in Lanai. The residents of Ni'ihau are free to go to Lanai and shop and do really whatever they want.

There are about 250 residents of the island, most of whom live in Pu'uwai, which means heart in Hawaiian. The village is on the western side of the island. Each house is surrounded by a stone wall to keep out the neighboring wildlife. The living here is pretty basic. They still collect their water and they have no indoor plumbing.

The Hawaiian island of Molokai

2007-12-09T12:33:00.001+09:00

The Hawaiian Islands are the perfect place for a getaway. The islands offer a wide variety of activities, such as surfing, swimming snorkeling, and land activities such as island hopping. This is a must if visiting Hawaii. Each island is unique in its own way and has something special to offer. The island of Molokai is known as the mysterious island.

Molokai is the least developed of all of the islands. This is the perfect place to relax and the best chance to have an authentic Hawaiian experience. Getting around on the island of Molokai can be difficult due to lack of modernization. If you rent a car, it should be one with four-wheel drive. Or perhaps you could rent a mountain bike; this would allow you get to some remote locations not available to you by car. There are two shops on the island that rent bikes, Molokai Outdoor Activities and Molokai Bicycle.

There are two ways to get to the island. You can travel to Molokai by boat or by plane. The airport is small and you must fly in from a larger island such as Oahu or Maui. The island is most easily accessible by boat. If you can't stay for a long time, you could take a day trip from Maui. You won't be disappointed.

The most popular beach is known as twenty mile beach. It has a barrier reef, which makes for a great snorkeling opportunity. The beach is located near the 20-mile marker of the main highway.

There are two ranches on Molokai. They make for a great horseback riding experience. The ranches offer guided trail tours through the valley. Another popular activity of the island of Molokai is mule riding. You can ride mules through the valley and trails. The tours are available through a company called Molokai Mule Rides.

Hiking is a popular pastime in Molokai. The most visited trail is the mule trail to the Kalaupapa Peninsula, which is complete with breathtaking views and awe inspiring landscaping. The Nature Conservatory at Kamakou Preserve has unique guided tours. These tours are only available a couple of times a month, so it's a good idea to make reservations and check with the conservatory before arriving in Molokai This preserve boasts almost 3000 acres of native ecosystems including a cloud forest and habitats for many endangered plants and animals. Along the hike you will see cliffs and valleys alike.

What Hawaiian island would be complete without a golf course? Molokai has two. The Ironwood Hills Golf Club was originally built by Del Monte for its employees. The club is a very casual fun environment. The Kaluakoi Golf Course is located in a resort condominium community. This resort community has been limited by something called the Molokai plan. The plan is an agreement between lawmakers and locals to keep the island from becoming over developed. This plan has allowed the island and its inhabitants to keep their rural lifestyle. In fact, fishing, hunting, and ranching are still among the islands top professions of choice.

Surfing in Hawaii

2007-12-09T12:32:00.000+09:00

Because of the swells that roll in from the Pacific Ocean, Hawaii has some great surfing spots. These spots are scattered across hundreds of beaches all over the state of Hawaii. You could literally spend a year surfing these beaches and never have to surf the same spot twice.

The biggest waves in Hawaii are located on the North Shore of the islands. Waves during the winter are typically bigger than the waves during the rest of the year. The island of Oahu is home to some of the world's largest waves. The north shore of Ohau attracts some of the best surfers in the world and hosts big surfing competitions. Waimea Bay Beach Park draws huge crowds of people there to watch the big wave riders. It's pretty typical to drive down the main highway and see several photographers just waiting to capture the big one.

These waters have swells that reach to be over thirty feet. Winter winds prevent this from being a swimming beach during these months. The waves pound the beach with a force so hard that it can be heard for miles. The summer months, however, bring a totally different Waimea. The water is usually calm enough for swimmers June through September. Sunset Beach is also another popular winter surfing destination for the same reasons as above... big waves. Lastly, don't forget about the world famous Banzai Pipeline located at Ehukai Beach. The pipeline attracts world famous surfers to these incredible long tube waves. Be careful, here the water is extremely shallow and these great waves break over top of a coral reef. This can make for treacherous wipeouts. This is not the place for beginners.

Wakiki beach is also another world famous surfing destination, but for much different reasons. Wakiki has long predictable waves that are not nearly as tall or as threatening as their northern counterparts. In fact, Wakiki is a great place for beginner surfers. You can walk up the beach and find tons of different places to take a lesson.

Honolua Bay on Maui is also a popular surfing spot for the experienced surfer. There are lots of great beaches as well as surfing spots in Maui. Lahaina is a great spot for beginners and there are a couple of different surfing schools located here. Because of the strong winds on Maui, it is also a popular destination for wind surfing and kite surfing. Maui even has its very own kite beach. On any given day you can drive by a see the shoreline full of kite boarders, some of whom you'd probably recognize from the magazines.

Hanalei Bay located on the North shore of Kauai also has some great waves. The bay itself is crescent shaped and the waves here are also going to be the biggest during the winter months. The bay makes for some great snorkeling during the summer months.

There are also some great spots to surf and the islands of Hawaii as well as Molokai, they are just not as famous of some of these others. Whatever island you pick you can't go wrong in Hawaii.

Surf Lessons on Oahu in Hawaii

2007-12-09T12:31:00.002+09:00

Have you ever had inkling to pick up surfing as a hobby? Or perhaps just try it once and put it on that list of yep, I've done that? Then the island of Oahu in Hawaii is the place to do that. Waikiki beach is the best place for beginners to learn to surf. You may be picturing the lonely deserted beach pictured in the 1950's Gidget or Elvis movies. But, I have to tell you that Waikiki beach has changed a lot since those days.

Waikiki beach is located in Honolulu, picture a miniaturized New York City located in paradise complete with palm trees, because after all, Honolulu is a city. The beach is narrow and very crowded, and with good reasons... the waves. The waves are typically small and very long. You can ride them all the way into the beach with plenty of time for beginners to get used to the feel of the wave. There are tons of places on Waikiki to take surf lessons. Just walk down the beach and take your pick, usually you don't have to make reservations because these are just guys on the beach teaching lessons... i.e. bring cash. Because of the fierce competition amongst the "surfing schools" you can usually get a pretty good deal on the lessons.

If you are just learning to surf you should stay here in Waikiki. However, it is worth a trip to the North Shore just to see how the other half lives. It's amazing to see world famous surfers riding the waves at Waimea Bay or at the pipeline. It looks like something out of the movies. The beaches are crowed with by standers and photographers. They watch in awe as these amazing athletes ride waves as high as thirty feet. But a warning to those daring novices... do not try to surf the waves here. The can be treacherous. In fact drowning is the number one accidental death in Hawaii. This probably comes as no surprise because the entire state is surrounded by water.

Rip currents are one danger to Hawaiian visitors. They are fast flowing currents that can drag swimmers out into deeper parts of the ocean. If you get caught in a rip current, don't fight the current. You should swim parallel to shore until you are out of the current, and then swim safely into shore. Undertows are another dangerous factor while visiting Hawaii. If you get caught in an undertow, (you will feel the wave pull you out to sea) just go with the flow of the wave until it passes. Then you should be able to swim out of it. Don't let the beautiful waters fool you; they can be deadly if not taken seriously.

Heed the warning, but try not to get discouraged. There are plenty of places in Hawaii for beginners to surf. If you do not get your fill while visiting the world famous Waikiki Beach, you may want to try one of the other islands. All of the other islands will have some beginner friendly waves to offer.

Surf lessons on Maui

2007-12-09T12:31:00.001+09:00

It is safe to say that if anyone visiting Hawaii ever wants to learn how to surf this is the place. There are many different places to take surf lessons while on the island of Maui. My favorite is located in the town of Lahaina. Lahaina is just a short drive from the Kanapali resort area that is the temporary home of many tourists like me. I took a four hour lesson at this cute little place called goofy foot. They came highly recommended by the concierge at the hotel, and I was not disappointed. The surf school required that all students wear a rash guard, which is just a long sleeve neoprene shirt.

The rash guard is to protect your chest from the sand and wax on the board, not to mention the fact that it will also protect you if you happened to be pummeled by a wave into coral. Coral is prevalent in these waters; in fact, the coral actually contributes to the making of those long beautiful waves.

The surf school provided the rash guard, as well as these goofy aqua socks that everyone had to wear... Maybe that's why they call the school goofy foot. But seriously, it is important to wear the aqua socks because they protect your feet from the coal. The instructor also explained that it is important to fall shallow rather than deep in order to avoid hitting the dreaded coral.

The next required piece of paraphernalia is the board itself. They gave me this twelve foot foam surf board that I actually had to balance on my head to carry. That was really the hardest part of the lesson. Once equipped with my surf gear, I was ready to hit the waves. But my instructor stopped me in my tracks. Did I mention that the instructor was extremely hot? Anyway, he said that we had to practice on the beach a few times, so we did. We lay on top of the board in the sand and pretended to paddle. This seemed pretty stupid to me, but who was I to argue.

By the time that we finally got in the water, I was ready. My really hot instructor stood behind me and actually pushed me into the wave. First I climbed up onto one knee, and then the next thing I knew I was standing. This took a couple of minutes, but that's the good thing about these great Hawaiian waves. You have plenty of time. The waves are long and even, giving beginners ample time to actually stand up. Once standing, I was a force to be reckoned with. Seriously, there was no way I could control that big board, I just held on and enjoyed the ride.

Now, I have to mention that this was not my first attempt at surfing. I have actually tried many times on the east coast. The waves are much shorter and less predictable. The waves in Lahaina seemed to break at the same exact spot every time. Throughout the remainder of my four hour lesson, I was surfing. I felt like my very own modern day version of Gidget.

Another great thing about the goofy foot surfing school is that they have a photographer on staff taking pictures of the lessons. Alas, I have documented proof of my surfing skills! It was a great experience, one that I believe to only be available on one of those long waves readily available and waiting for you in Maui.

Snorkeling in Hawaii

2007-12-09T12:30:00.001+09:00

Hawaii is a popular destination for water sports enthusiast, obviously because the entire state is surrounded by water. Each island offers different water and weather conditions, making each island experience completely unique. The water temperature in Hawaii varies only between about 72 to 80 degrees year round making water sports ideal the entire year long. You will see an amazing array of sea life while snorkeling in Hawaii such as, sea turtles, manta rays, moray eels, and dolphins.

The best thing about snorkeling is that it doesn't require a lot of effort and it's not particularly difficult. Most snorkeling tours will provide all of the necessary equipment, including a mask and snorkel, fins and usually some sort of floatation device. You simply put on your equipment and stick your face in the water, and prepare to be amazed by the sea life surrounding you in this paradise.

On the island of Oahu, Hanauma Bay offers the best snorkeling. It's located on the southern shore of the island, and it's a great place for beginners. The water is very shallow and in most cases you would be able to stand, however, you shouldn't stand because you can damage the precious coral reef on the bottom of the ocean floor.

Maui offers several snorkeling options. There is black rock, and Kapalua. Another popular snorkeling site is the submerged volcanic crater called Molokini. There are many different options for getting to this destination. Tours leave daily from Ma'alaea and Lahaina Harbors. These are fun tours because they usually serve lunch and have some sort of open bar. I would recommend choosing a smaller boat because obviously it's less crowed and a little more personal. This will also give you the best opportunity to really see the ocean life.

The best snorkeling of the island of Lana'i can be found at Hulopo'e Beach. This is not an offshore excursion, so the water will be fairly shallow perfect for children and novice swimmers alike. Here you will see a lava shelf that is home to some spectacular tropical fish. The beach access is a public park complete with a picnic area, so bring your lunch and settle in for the afternoon.

Moloka'i has over thirty miles of barrier reef offering some decent snorkeling, however, not the best in Hawaii. The best place to snorkel on the island of Moloka'i is on twenty mile beach. The reef is extremely shallow and can be rough at times so you should have a back up plan for snorkeling on one of the islands.

The big island of Hawaii offers the most variety in snorkeling options. Kahula Beach is another great spot for beginners. It's an off beach reef so you can simply go ashore when you've had enough. The reef however is impressive enough to please even the most seasoned of reef aficionados. Kealakekua Bay is a popular off shore excursion; this will be a half day adventure complete with lunch and of course cocktails. So whether you are new to the snorkeling scene or you have seen it all, Hawaii will have something to offer you.

Scuba Diving in Hawaii

2007-12-09T12:29:00.002+09:00

Hawaii is the perfect vacation paradise for beach lovers and ocean lovers alike. All of the islands offer beautiful scenery both above and below sea level. If you ever had inkling to try scuba diving this is the place. There are hundreds of miles of barrier reef that have equally as many different species of sea life; there are craters and ship wrecks, as well as good old fashioned reefs. The water temperature is always perfect in Hawaii making it a great place to explore underwater.

Oahu is a great place for beginners to learn to scuba dive. There are a few different dive shops that offer same day certification at a competitive price. The best thing about these quickie one day certification courses is that you learn everything you need to know for the one day dive and then you are out in the ocean exploring at sea level in just a few short hours.

Oahu is the place to be for wreck diving. The fish aren't as impressive as diving on a reef. However, I think that everyone should do a wreck dive at least once. It's impressive to the power of the ocean to sink those huge heavy ships. It's amazing to see how the fish adapt to this alien object in their natural habitat.

On the big island, Ka'awaloa Cove offers a great opportunity for scuba diving. The cove is located on the western side of Hawaii. The site is accessible only by boat, but there are several companies that operate tours daily. There are also several dive sites near Kona on the big island. They offer a wide variety of options from beginner dives to the more challenging dives, such as night dives. One popular night dive is around Kailua-Kona. The divers hold lights that attract plankton, which is the main food source for giant manta rays.

The plankton in turn, draw the rays. There are many tour companies offering such night time entertainment. Red Hill is another popular dive site near Kona. It has lava formations that are a breathtaking sight to say the least. The sun reflects light of the lava tubes, thus the name Red Hill. In the deeper water off the Kona coast there are over thirty dive areas accessible only by boat. One site not to be missed is an airplane wreck near Keahole Point.

The island of Maui offers it own spectacular dive sites. Molokini is a volcanic crater in the bottom of the pacific. It has steep ledges and walls that create an amazing site. This particular crater attracts such sea life as reef sharks, manta rays, sea turtles and a huge variety of tropical fish. This site should be on the top of your list when visiting Hawaii. For a tamer and less crowded taste of scuba diving in Maui, try Black Rock or Makena State park.

The crystal clear warm waters of Hawaii are a scuba divers paradise. You could literally stay in Hawaii for a year and not explore all of the amazing dive spots.

Road to Kona

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The Kailua Coast is home to the world's most spectacular endurance race, the Ford Ironman world championship. The race itself is grueling and intimidating. An iron man race consists of a 2.4 mile swim. This one is in the shark infested waters of the ocean. Next comes an intense 112 mile bike ride, and lastly the athletes will run a 26.2 mile marathon. All must be completed in 17 hours. Sounds impressive huh? Well imagine that in order to even be eligible to compete in this mind boggling event, you must have not only done it before, but also finished in the top 5 of your age group. Now that's impressive.

There is one other way to be eligible to compete in this event. A lottery is held and 200 lucky (or unlucky depending on how you look at it) would be participants are allowed to enter the race.

One contributing factor that makes this race so difficult is the heat. On an average day with a normal temperature of about 85 degrees the actual temperature could rise to be easily over a hundred degrees due to the lava flow of the nearby active volcano reflects off of the sun. Dehydration is prevalent and it requires literally thousands of volunteers to put on a race like this one. Top athletes actually arrive weeks or even months in advance in order to acclimate themselves to the dreadful temperatures.

It takes a full year of training to become prepared for such an event. Amateur athletes must compete in several iron man events before even dreaming of qualifying for Kona. Even then they must be the best in their game. Recreational hobbyist need not apply. The elite athletes that win these events sleep eat and breathe the sport of triathlon. They compete not for the cash prize (only around a hundred thousand dollars) but for the emotional one. I say that just finishing this race is worth more than a cash prize.

The elites, the top professional athletes that will win this race will finish around two or three o'clock. The top age group athletes will start to pour in at around five or six o'clock and then it will start to get dark outside. The otherwise dark and deserted run course is heavily lit for the runners. Then the regular age group athletes will start to arrive. Remember, these people have most likely done this before and have finished their other races at the top of their division. At midnight the clock will strike and the race will be over. I say cheers and a job well done to anyone who tackles this crazy endurance event in America's paradise.

Maui Ocean Center

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Located on the south side of Maui is Ma'alaea Bay, home to the Maui Ocean Center. The center is the largest tropical aquarium in not only the state of Hawaii, but in the United States altogether. If visiting the island of Maui, this spectator spot should not be missed. The ocean center has a huge aquarium that has water filtered into it from the Bay. This aquarium is as real as it gets. This tank has a tunnel that you can actually walk through. This makes for great pictures. You can get a picture of yourself standing face to face with a sand shark. While walking through the tunnel, you will see sharks and rays, and tons of different types of fish.

The best thing about the tunnel is that you can see the underside of the creatures as they swim above you. The tanks also boast a coral and tropical fish display that will amaze anyone. The coral itself is breathtaking. In fact this coral collection is the largest of any aquarium in the world.

Another amazing display inside the aquarium is the giant cylinder columns of jelly fish. They are several feet wide, and you can watch the jellyfish float above you. The sight of these creatures is both terrifying and mesmerizing at the same time.

Next you move along through the aquarium to the sea turtles tanks. These sea turtles have been injured at some point in their lives and their stay at the aquarium is only a temporary one. They will be reintroduced back into their natural habitat once they have recovered. This is my favorite exhibit in the aquarium. If you happen to visit during feeding time you can actually feed the turtles. It's great to watch these huge docile creatures chomping happily on their lunch.

The ocean center also has an interactive display on whales, where visitors can learn about these giant mammals. Whale watching is a big hobby in Hawaii. There are several whale watching tours available. Turtle bay resort located on the north shore of Oahu boasts that during the winter you can actually see whales from your balcony.

The Maui Ocean Center is a perfect place for families to visit. They offer a wide variety of exhibits for children that are both informative and exciting. There is also a touch pond, where children can pick up some of the creatures and actually handle them. They can see sea stars and sea urchins, as well as skates and rays. Be careful when stroking rays, however, you should always stroke them from head to tail in order to avoid being stung by there tails.

No kid friendly aquarium would be complete without food. The ocean center offers a caf・where you can grab lunch. They have light fare such as salads and sandwiches, and of course, ice cream. Also don't miss the great picture taking opportunities that the center has to offer. Along the backside of the aquarium there are some spectacular views of Ma'alaea Bay, and there is a dolphin statue located in the very front of the center that also makes for a great souvenir photo.

Hawaii-Pearl Harbor

2007-12-08T21:03:00.000+09:00

When visiting Hawaii most people think of lush tropical trees and white sandy beaches. After all, Hawaii is the perfect spot for relaxing and sipping fruity drinks. However, there is one somber tourist spot that should not be missed. It is the memorial at Pearl Harbor.

Pearl Harbor was once known only for its ample supply of pearl oysters. No one would have ever dreamed that this harbor would become the reason that the United States entered into World War II. Sadly today it is known only for the infamous attacks that happened December 7, 1941, when wave Japanese planes flew over an attacked an unsuspecting sleeping army. Over 1.5 million people visit the USS Arizona memorial yearly. Tourists of all kinds stop here to remember the lives lost on that fateful morning so long ago.

2335 US soldiers died during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Roughly half of those killed were aboard the USS Arizona. The giant ship was bombed and sank in less than ten minutes trapping over a thousand men on board. Today, the ship lies exactly where it sank and is a giant tomb. The bodies aboard the ship were never recovered. A memorial was erected and floats directly on top of the ship. The ship still leaks oil into the harbor in small amounts that have been said to be black tears.

The mood at the memorial is somber even today over sixty years after the attack. The park does a nice job of filtering the average number of 4500 guests through the memorial daily. Upon arrival to the memorial you are given a ticket and told when your entry to the movie theater will be. The time of year of your visit determines your wait time. During the summer months when crowds are at their highest you may have to wait a couple of hours. But, there is plenty to occupy your time. There is a museum that contains memorabilia such as letters from soldiers to loved ones and uniforms. The museum also has photos of Japanese planes as well as map showing the destruction of the harbor.

There is also a World War II submarine located at the memorial site. The USS Bowfin Museum and Park are worth taking a stroll through. They have kept the submarine intact and you can see pretty much how the men lived in the submarine. You can actually walk through the submarine. Be forewarned, this is not an activity for Closter phobic people, the ship's quarters are very tight.

Once the wait is over the tour through the memorial runs fairly quickly. They show a movie that lasts about twenty minutes. It shows exactly what happened that early morning in December all those years ago, complete with video footage. Once the movie is over you will take a short boat ride out to the actual memorial. When the ferry arrives, you will walk all the way to the back of the memorial where there is a wall listing the names of all who died that day.

Hawaiian Vacation for Golfers

2007-12-08T21:02:00.002+09:00

Hawaii is a popular destination for many vacationers. It's no wonder with its gorgeous palm trees, and white sandy beaches. The vast array of water sports such as surfing, kayaking and snorkeling attract many vacationers yearly. But Hawaii is also a great place for golf. The big island of Hawaii has over 20 golf courses. The Four seasons Hualalai Course was designed by world famous golf pro Jack Nichlaus. The Mauna Kea Golf Course has been said to be the best on the island. While taking a break from a round of golf, guests at this hotel can relax at one of the most gorgeous beaches on the island.

The crescent shaped bay boasts white sandy beaches and is perfect for swimming and snorkeling. There are also a couple of noteworthy golf courses located in Hilo. Make sure to bring an umbrella. We play rain or shine here, as Hilo is known as the rainiest city in the world.

Lanai is known as the rich man's paradise of Hawaii. So, it's not surprising that there are some great golfing opportunities here. Lanai is home to not one, but two, world class championship golf courses. The experience at Koele, which designed by Greg Norman is set amongst the backside of Hawaiian mountains, making for a challenging and unique setting. The challenge at Manele is located at another world renowned resort and was also designed by Jack Nicklas. It's amazing that he has time to play golf, with all that designing he's been doing. Another place to play golf in Lanai is located in Lanai city, the Cavendish Golf Course. It is a local favorite and is open to the public. This course has 9-holes and does not have greens fee (bonus).

Maui offers as many or more places to play golf as the big island of Hawaii. The island offers beautiful vistas that make for the perfect backdrop for golfing. Kapalua and Wailea are the most well known places to play. There are also some championship golf courses located in the resort area of Ka'anapali. This resort area was once a sugar plantation, converted into a resort area by its owners.

Lanai as well, is not lacking in golf courses. There are nine great golf courses here. Half were designed by either Jack Nickluas or Robert Trent Jones. The Princeville courses have made a name for themselves as some of the most challenging golf courses in the world. Princeville is a resort community located on the North Shore of the island. While taking a break here, golfers can enjoy world class beaches, as well as fine dinning and exquisite shopping.

Let's not forget about the island of Oahu. Oahu is home to several 18-hole golf courses all located fairly close to Honolulu. The Ala Wai Golf Course and the Ewa Villages Golf course are actually located in the Wakiki Beach Area. Here golfers should take a break to catch a wave on famous Wakiki Beach. Turtle Bay Beach Resort is located on the North Shore of Oahu. It is home to 2 spectacular golf courses. One of which, was designed by Arnold Palmer and the other by George Fazio. The resort itself is located on a great beach complete with a reef for snorkeling.

Hawaiian Souvenirs

2007-12-08T21:02:00.001+09:00

Oh, Hawaii the perfect vacation spot for just about anyone, and what Hawaiian vacation would be complete without souvenirs? While vacationing you will find ample opportunity to pick up souvenirs to bring back home to your loved ones.

Hilo Hattie's is the big souvenir store. Unlike, the name suggests there are not located strictly in Hilo. It's a big chain store that has several locations on just about all of the islands. Hilo Hattie's is famous for all different types of souvenirs, but their crowning glory is, of course, the Hawaiian shirt. Every tourist needs a Hawaiian shirt. You will also find the other stapes, such as homemade chocolate covered macadamia nuts. These are sure to please every grandma. They also have a wide assortment of hula dancing dolls, perfect for your brother-in-law.

They have the standard dash board version, as well as the world famous hula lamp. I was surprised by the extreme variety available in the hula lamp. You can find cheap plastic hula lamps for as little as about thirty dollars; and the hand crafted more classy (if there is such a creation) hula lamp that can be as much as two hundred dollars.

Perhaps the goofiest souvenir, in my opinion, is a real live coconut. You can actually ship a real coconut back home to the continental United Sates. It usually costs about thirty bucks. I say, save your money, I'd rather have the dash board hula dancer. Coconuts are not the only live things that are frequently shipped from Hawaii as souvenirs. The live lei industry is very profitable in Hawaii. You can have a fresh flower lei sent back to grandma to go with those macadamia nuts.

Tiki statues are another popular Hawaiian souvenir. Hawaiian legends say than the ancients, who carried a Tiki statue with them experienced, an immediate run of good fortune. Today, you can find these statues just about anywhere. My favorite is the tiki statue that doubles as a bottle opener. You can have good luck while drinking your beer.

Ukuleles are another popular Hawaiian souvenir. These are miniature guitars that have been prevalent in Hawaii since ancient times. Again, just like the hula lamp, you can spend anywhere from about thirty bucks and up (really up). Some of these Ukuleles actually cost thousands of dollars. The work ukulele actually means "jumping flea" in Hawaiian. This refers to the way the player would strum around the strings.

There are many different souvenir shops on all of the islands from which to choose your gifts. In addition to Hilo Hattie's, there is the old stand by the ABC store. This isn't the type of ABC store that you think of on the mainland. It's really just like a convenience store molded into a souvenir shop. They are on just about every corner in Honolulu. Another spot for cheap souvenirs is the flea market on Oahu. It's located in the parking lot of a stadium on the northern side of Oahu. Here you can find everything from knock off purses to hand carved tiki statues. Whatever you are looking for, Hawaii is sure to please.

Hawaiian Luau

2007-12-08T21:00:00.002+09:00

No Hawaiian vacation would be complete without attending a luau. The word luau really just means a party or a celebration. Typically in ancient Hawaiian culture luaus were given to celebrate the birth of a child or a wedding. These days the word luau has become a household name all across the United States. When we think of a luau today, we think of those cheap plastic lays and those silly plastic tiki cups. Oh, but a luau is so much more. In Hawaii there are two basic types of luau. The first type closely resembles that of the original type of luau. This is a private gathering of friends and family for a celebration.

The second type of luau is a commercial luau open to the public and what we tourists typically visit. While in the state of Hawaii there will be many different luaus to choose from. They are basically all the same, with a few different high points. Arriving guests are greeted with a fresh flower leu. The entertainment is usually choreographed and top notch, complete with hula dancers and fire eaters. Sometimes the guests provide some of the entertainment themselves. It's always fun watching grown men wear hula skirts and try to learn this complicated dance. There are different options for food and drink as well. I myself prefer the open bar type. The food is usually a buffet, consisting of a roasted pig or perhaps some sort of roast beef, rice, and of course the Hawaiian staple...pineapple.

I have to mention some of the best known luaus and those with the best reputation. While in Maui, the Old Lahaina Luau is the one not to be missed. This is the most authentic Luau on the island. The hula dancers are superb and the food is of the highest quality. The other luaus available in Maui are usually done at the resorts and lack the realism of Old Lahaina. Because of it's popularity, the Old Lahaina Luau does require reservations. In fact, I would recommend that you make your reservations before you even leave for Hawaii.

While visiting the big island, again there are a plethora of options to choose from. Kona seems to be a popular town for the luau. King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel offers a Luau with a shell lei greeting, and a torch lighting ceremony. Check with the hotel for luau days. On the mornings of luaus spectators can watch the hotel staff bury the pig in the sand and begin roasting.

The island of Kaui offers a couple of luau's of its own. Both the Radisson Kauai Beach Resort and the Kilohana Plantation have nice luaus complete with open bars, fire eaters and of course, hula dancers.

Whichever island or islands you choose to visit while in Hawaii, a Hawaiian luau is a must. Whether the gorgeous hula girls are your thing (scantily clad Polynesian dancers for the ladies) or you are just there for the food, a luau is sure to please.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

2007-12-08T21:00:00.001+09:00

Hawaii is a beautiful vacation destination. It makes for either a quiet and mild vacation consisting of countless hours lying on a beach or wildly active vacation sure to please event the most avid thrill seekers. What thrill seeking vacation would be complete without exploring Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (HAVO). The national park occupies a vast array of terrain ranging from tropical beaches to the sub arctic Mauna Loa summit. The huge park has two active volcanoes.

Kilauea Caldera is the youngest and most active volcano on earth. The landscaping is amazing complete with hardened lava and dozens of craters. The park has 140 miles of hiking trails and is open to the public for camping. The park is over 333,000 acres of land so plan to stay a while if you truly want to explore the park. If you don't have a lot of time, you should plan to at least drive through the park. It is worth the hour or so that it will take you to see everything. The volcano erupts regularly, so in most cases you will get to see some sort of lava flow. However, don't expect to see eruptions spewing into the sky like in the movies. The flow is fluid and constant, not nearly as dramatic as Hollywood depicts.

The terrain changes so frequently due to the ever changing lava flow that it makes it difficult to follow maps, however the most up to date versions will be available at the visitor's center. The map can be used for driving as well as hiking. The park has a hotline that tells you what is happening with the volcanoes that day and where to best view the lava flow.

Unlike the rest of Hawaii the weather can change very quickly in the park. The temperatures can be about 15 degrees cooler here than in Kona, so plan to dress appropriately. The park can have blistering heat from the sun's reflection off of the lava flow. It can be hot and steamy one minute and change to a chilly downpour of rain with little or no warning.

If planning to visit the volcanoes you should be prepared and dress appropriately. Wear hiking shoes or boots; bring sunscreen and lots of water. The heat can cause dehydration quickly so be prepared with lots of fluids because this little nuisance is preventable. Always follow the signs and stay on the trails. Fatalities do happen here at HAVO. The most common are due to people wandering off and getting lost in the park and people getting too close to newly formed lava paths. These lava flows can collapse causing injuries, or even worse death.

If and when the lava reaches the ocean, sulfuric acid and hydrochloric acid permeate the air. These gases are toxic. Every one should be careful, especially pregnant women, young children and people with upper respiratory problems. The smell of sulfur is strong in the air.

Whether it's magnificent hiking trails you seek, or simply marking visiting a volcano off of your to do list, HAVO is sure to please.

Hawaii Vacation with Kids

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There couldn't be a more relaxing vacation spot than Hawaii. There are lots of activities on both the land and in the water. The landscape provides the perfect backdrop for all sorts of outdoor activities. There will be plenty of things for the kids to do, so bring them with you.

The whole family will love boogie boarding or body surfing on one of the great beaches in Hawaii, like world famous Waikiki Beach. Waikiki even has a cheeseburger in paradise restaurant. The kids will love it. They can get any kind of toppings they want on these world famous burgers. Don't forget the Honolulu zoo. It is a small city zoo, but it's worth taking a tour. The flamingo pond in the front is sure to please the kids and will offer a great photo taking opportunity. The Waikiki Aquarium is another fun family stop.

It has a touch pond for the viewing pleasure of the kids and adults alike. Lastly, the bishop museum is worth taking a tour. They have demonstrations on the art of making lei's as well as hula dancing performances. Before leaving the island take the kids to visit the world famous beaches of the North Shore. It's worth the drive to see the very beaches where world class surfers congregate.

When visiting Maui a sure bet is the Maui Ocean Center, home to the largest tropical fish aquarium in the United States. The dolphin statues out front make a great background for a souvenir photo. Don't forget to check out the whaling museum located in Lahaina. If you are visiting during the winter months go ahead and take a whale watching tour from the Lahaina harbor. It's sure to please. The beaches at the resort are of Ka'anapali are fun for kids as well. Most of these resorts have awesome pools for little swimmers. Some even have water parks within the hotel themselves. Parents should take advantage of the kids programs at these resorts for some quiet time to themselves.

On the big island of Hawaii take a drive through Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. You can see active volcanoes and possibly some lava flow from the comfort and safety of your own rental car. Next take a ride over to Waimea and take the kids for a horseback ride through the valley. You could do an all day excursion complete with lunch, or perhaps just pony rides for the little kids. Lastly you could go to North Kohala and try kayaking. This is a great place for beginners.

The island of Molokai will offer some good old fashioned rest and relaxation in an authentic Hawaiian atmosphere. You could rent mountain bikes and explore the island together. Be careful, however, not to go too far off the trails, because it's easy to get lost on the mostly undeveloped island. On this island you should consider renting a house so the kids will have plenty of room to spread out. Also there aren't too many hotel options here on Molokai.

Hawaii- The Perfect Vacation for Families

2007-12-08T20:59:00.001+09:00

Hawaii, translated from the ancient Hawaiian language should mean paradise, because that's what it is. Hawaii has a climate that varies only several degrees in temperature year round and the sun always shines. The rainy season is in January, but it isn't so rainy that it deters visitors. In fact, winter is one of the most popular times of year to visit Hawaii. This is probably because it is cold and dreary just about everywhere else in the United States. Hawaii makes for the perfect getaway for Californians because it is only about a three hour flight.

Hawaii makes for a great family vacation because of the wide variety of activities or no activity at all. (if laying on a perfect sandy beach is your thing) All of the islands offer a variety of family friendly activities. Such as swimming or surfing on one of Hawaii's amazing beaches. Wakiki is a family friendly beach located on the island of Ohau. The waves are long and shallow offering a good family atmosphere. Wakiki is a good place for beginners to learn to surf because the waves or not so treacherous. Because Honolulu is a big city, you can even find fast food to satisfy those hungry youngsters.

While on Ohau, be sure not to miss the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor. This memorial is both powerful and sorrowful. After watching a brief movie depicting the horrific attack on Pearl Harbor, visitors will take a short ferry ride out too the memorial. The memorial actually floats on top of the sunken ship. Once you get off the ferry, you can walk back to the wall that lists the name of every person that died that dreaded day in December.

Ohau is also home to the Wakiki Aquarium, the Honolulu zoo, and the Sea life park. The park has a 300,000 gallon tank, where you can see sharks, rays and thousands of reef fish. You can even swim with the dolphins here. The kid's will love the dolphins.

The island of Maui hosts the Maui Ocean Center, which is the largest tropical aquarium in the United States. Maui is also a good place to windsurf, and has tons of different waterfalls. The resort area of Ka'anapali is located on the western coast of Maui, and is home to the island's best golf courses. This is where you will find the large high-rise resorts. They have plenty of pools for the kids to swim in. The beach here, however, is not quite as kid friendly as Wakiki Beach. The rip currents can be strong and Maui is much windier that Honolulu. The calmer beach at Kihei, might be a little more kid friendly.

If horsebacking riding is more your style, you should visit either the North Shore of Ohau, or the big island of Hawaii or Kaua'i. Of course, don't forget the Luau. Luaus make for great family fun and can be found on any of the Hawaiian islands. The fire eaters and beautiful Polynesian dancers are sure to impress kids of all ages. Whatever your idea of family fun, Hawaii is sure to please.

Hawaii- The perfect Honeymoon

2007-12-08T20:58:00.004+09:00

Everybody knows that the best part about getting married is the Honeymoon. So when choosing a honeymoon destination, you should choose wisely. You cannot go wrong with Hawaii. It has the perfect climate, varying only a few degrees in temperature from season to season. Even in the winter you can expect to have eighty degree temperatures. You will have five different options to choose from when deciding which island to visit during your stay in Hawaii. They are each equally unique and beautiful in their own way.

Because of the vast array of options you can choose to stay as long as you like and never have to experience the same thing twice. I would recommend that you stay ten days at the very least. There is too much to see. You want to make sure that you don't miss a thing; and in most cases you have traveled so far to get there, you might as well make the most of your journey.

Oahu is a good place to start a honeymoon. You will have many different fine dining options, as well as some very good room service. Honolulu will offer the most night life of any of the islands, so if you dare to venture out, this is the place to do so. There are two historic hotels located in Honolulu, the Royal Hawaiian and the Westin Moana Surfrider. They are both actually located on the same block.

I highly recommend the Sheraton Moana Surf rider. The hotel is over a hundred years old, but has been kept so up to date, that you will be surrounded in total luxury. Upon arrival you will be greeted in Hawaiian style with a fresh flower lei. Make sure to mention when making your reservations that this is a honeymoon. The hotel usually provides as special welcome gift for newlyweds. The hotel staff is ready to please; expect to be pampered. The beach itself on Waikiki is nothing spectacular, but it is still a must on list of places to visit.

If beaches are your thing you should take a trip over to the north shore of Oahu, before leaving the island for your next destination, Maui. Maui too will offer ample opportunity for romance. There is nothing more romantic than sipping a mai-tai on your balcony, while watching the sunset over the pacific.

The road to Hana is a popular attraction for visitors. Hana is a quiet town located on the eastern side of the island. The road to Hana is more about the journey than the actual destination. The trip should take about ten to twelve hours, allowing for plenty of stops along the way. The highway will take you by hundreds of breathtaking waterfalls, stunning black sand beaches, a forest reserve, and even a botanical garden.

I would recommend renting a jeep with four-wheel-drive as there are some destinations that are only accessible by four wheel drive. These secluded beaches make for a great romantic place to stop.

Hawaii-The Island of Maui

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Maui is a gorgeous island amongst the chain of the Hawaiian Islands. There are tons of activities for both families, and honeymooners looking for a quiet escape. Weather water sports or land activities are your thing, Maui is sure to please.

The town of Lahaina is an old fishing village located on the western side of the island. Here you will find a vast array of shopping and fine dining options to choose from. There is also a whaling museum located here. It's a great place to explore the wonders of these huge mammals. Lahaina is also a great place to take surf lessons. There are a couple of different surfing schools located here. Lastly, the Old Lahaina Luau is one not to be missed. If you are interested in going to a luau at all, while on the island this is the place. It's smaller and more authentic than those that you will find at the resort hotels.

The road to Hana is another popular journey for vacationers on the island. If you were to drive straight through on the Hana Highway, the trip would take about two hours, however, this journey is not about the destination. There are literally over a hundred places you could stop along the way. There are waterfalls galore, a rainforest reserve, black sand beaches, and more hiking trails than you can imagine. Once in the town of Hana you might want to stop for lunch or perhaps a relaxing swim on the beach. I would highly recommend renting a vehicle with 4-wheel drive because the best spot, the Ohe'o Gulch is located just past Hana. If you don't have 4-wheel drive, you will have to go back the way you came. This road is full of one lane roads and hair pin turns; and it's located at the top of huge cliffs that overlook the Pacific Ocean.

The Ohe'o Gulch, otherwise known as the seven sacred pools, is nothing short of spectacular. There are actually twenty four pools. They are natural pools that form from water trickling down from the ocean. The water runs over the rocks to form the pools and falls. The best part about the pools is you can take a relaxing dip in them.

Kihei is a quiet town located on the southern side of the island. Here you are more likely to find low-rise hotels and condos rather than the high-rises that are so prevalent in the resort area of Ka'anapali. This is a good place to relax on the relatively quiet beaches, or perhaps take a windsurfing or kite boarding lesson.

The Maui Ocean Center is located in Ma'alea, near the Ma'alea Bay. The ocean center is home to a giant aquarium that has a tunnel you can actually walk through. It makes for a great picture taking opportunity, as you can literally have sharks and huge manta rays swimming directly on top of you.

Ma'alea Bay offers some great whale watching opportunities, particularly during the winter months. Mother humpback whales come into the shallow waters of the bay to protect their babies from sharks that frequent the deeper waters.

Hawaii- The Island of Lanai

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Lanai is the smallest and perhaps most exclusive island in the chain of Hawaiian Islands. The beaches are just as gorgeous as the other islands and the palm trees offer the perfect backdrop for a romantic island getaway. When visiting Lanai you can get to the island either by plane or by a ferry. You can fly into Lanai from either Maui or Honolulu. There are no direct flights from the mainland so you should take some time to visit one of the other islands first. If you take a boat to Lanai, it will be from Maui and you may just get lucky enough to see some migrating whales along the way, particularly in the winter months. If you do not have a lot of time to visit Lanai, you could take a day trip from Maui.

Lanai is home to a famous dive site known as Cathedrals located near Pu'u Pele rock. The tropical fish and coral are abundant here. Hulop'e Beach is another popular destination on the island. Here you can usually see spinner dolphin and a variety of reef fish making this a great place for snorkeling. The beaches here are white sand and gorgeous. They make for a great place to relax and unwind. Shipwreck beach is a nice place to take a stroll. It's relatively quiet; in fact you are likely to be alone on this stretch of beach. You may find remnants of sunken ships in the form of driftwood washed up along the shore here. As the name implies there are several shipwrecks located just off the shore.

The island of Lanai is also home to two championship golf courses. Manele, located at Manele Bay Hotel was actually designed by Jack Nicklaus and is set amongst a gorgeous tropical backdrop complete with palm trees and ocean cliffs. Greg Norman designed the second course which is the Experience at Koele. It has been rated the number one golf resort in the world by Conde Nast. The course lies beneath the mountains and offers spectacular views of the neighboring islands. Lanai is also home to the Cavendish Golf course that is a local nine-hole course. The course is open to the public and all are welcome. There are no greens fees here (impressive) however, donations are accepted.

Horseback riding is another popular activity on the island of Lanai. The only place to ride is at Koele. They offer a variety of different ride options including pony rides for the kids. One favorite ride is a trail ride that will take you on trails along the coast. This offers breathtaking views, and if you look closely, you may be able to se Moloka'i and Maui. This ride also includes a picnic lunch, which can make for a romantic afternoon.

One hiking destination not to be missed while in Lanai is the Koloiki Ridge Trail. The 5-mile hike begins at the Lodge at Koele and will take you up to the Munro Trail. The hike will offer some breath taking views of the valleys, as well as Moloka'i and Maui. The island of Lanai will offer a great variety of activities, or none at all if you wish. It's the perfect island for pampering and relaxation.

Hawaii- The Big Island

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On the big island of Hawaii you will find diversity in the geography ranging from beaches to volcanoes. You will find miles and miles of undeveloped land as well as bustling urban development in cities like Kailua -Kona. Hilo, which is located on the windy side of the island, gets a lot of rainfall. This contributes to the lush green landscaping of this side of the island making Hilo an interesting sight and a must see on the list of destinations.

Most people begin there journey on the big island in Kona. You should plan to take a few days to relax and enjoy the nearby beaches, or perhaps go snorkeling at Kealakekuea Bay. Next you should take some time to explore the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. This is a must see on the list. The park is amazing to say the least. If you have plenty of time you can actually make camp in the park and really explore. The park has over 140 miles of hiking trails and is nothing short of spectacular. If you are short on time, you should still take a drive through the park.

There is a stretch of Highway 137 dubbed Red Road that is also worth visiting. There is a canopy of Milo and Hala trees that have intertwined to form a sort of a tunnel effect.

You should also plan to spend some time in Hilo. The lush landscaping makes for great scenery and picture taking opportunities. Hilo has been called the rainiest city in the USA, so don't expect much in the way of beaches. But Hilo is a cute little town; nonetheless, that offers some history and culture complete with Bed and Breakfasts.

There is a quiet little town called Puako located on the Southern Kohalo Coast that is home to the fabulous tide pools. This is accessible by highway 19 near the Hapuna Beach State Park. The giant tide pools are home to some marine life including coral making this destination a must see. However, don't plan on staying in Puako, it is such a small town that it doesn't have any lodging and it really is off the beaten path.

Who would have thought that horseback riding would be on the list of activities for a Hawaiian vacation? Well, actually there is a huge ranch called the Dahana Ranch Roughriders in Waimea. It's owned and operated by a native Hawaiian family and is still a working cattle ranch. The ranch raises and breeds, and trains cattle and horses. There are also some excellent cycling opportunities here in Waimea as the terrain is full of rolling hills.

Before checking out and leaving the island stop into the Pololu Valley which will offer some hiking trails. You can even take a mule ride through the valley. Lastly, you should take some more time to relax on the white sandy beaches of the big island. Or perhaps, take one last snorkeling opportunity at Kauna'oa Bay. Whatever you decide to do, I'm sure that your stay in Hawaii will amaze.

Hawaii in the Winter

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If you are thinking about planning a trip to Hawaii, you may be wondering the best time of year to visit Hawaii. Well, anytime really. Hawaii really doesn't have an off season. The winter months of January and February seem to be the rainiest, but it's not the same kind of winter you would have in other parts of the United States. In fact the winter months may actually draw crowds during those so called rainy months. One reason is that the waves on the northern shores of the islands are much bigger during the winter. The North Shore of Ohau in particular is famous for those huge waves, sometimes coming in as high as thirty feet. These are some of the largest waves in the world.

On any given day on the North shore, you can expect to see world championship surfers, particularly at Waimiea Bay. The Banzi pipeline is another popular surfing spot for these amazing athletes. The pipline is famous for its long tubes. But, don't be fooled by the lure of this gorgeous wave, the water underneath is shallow and full of coral reef. The waves at these famous hot spots are not for beginners. If you are just learning to surf, you should stick to the shallow waves at Wakiki Beach in Honolulu.

Another reason for the high number of winter tourists is whale watching. Whale watching season is generally from January to May. Whale watching is a popular activity during the winter months on the island of Maui. You can expect to see many different species of whales, including the humpback whale. They are typically found along the western shore of Maui. Ma'alaea Bay in particular is a great spot to catch a glimpse of the mother and baby whales. The shallow waters of the bay offer protection from possible shark attacks. You can see the whales, by simply taking a stroll along the beach. There are also many tour companies offering day trips to popular whale watching destinations. The island of Lanai also offers some whale watching opportunities, both on and off shore.

The humpback whale is the fifth largest of the whale family of mammals. The humpback is on the endangered species list due mostly to hunting of these animals in previous years. At one time hunting humpbacks was considered a great sport and it almost forced the species into extinction. Humpback whales can reach lengths of 45 feet and can weigh as much as 45 tons.

Another reason that Hawaii is such a popular vacation destination during the winter months is plain geography. Because the winter months are so cold and dreary during these months back on the mainland, visitors flock to Hawaii for a much needed respite. What better way to escape a February snow storm than to sit on a tropical beach in paradise and sip on Mai tais. Whatever your reason for visiting Hawaii, all of the islands are waiting and are sure to please even the most frostbitten winter visitor

Hawaii- A Brief History of Culture

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The beginning of a Hawaiian kingdom started in 1809 after the fall of king Kamehameha. The new king moved to Honolulu to take control of the trade that was going on. Honolulu was the perfect place because it was centrally located. In the 1830's sugar plantations were established and Honolulu became a booming city, bars and brothels alike were opened. In 1845 Honolulu officially replaced Maui as the capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii. Because of increasing western influence, Hawaii, and most importantly Pearl Harbor, officially became a US territory in 1898. There were several arguments, failed bills and lots of political red tape that kept Hawaii from becoming a U.S. state.

The gateway to allowing Hawaii to become an official state was tourism. Pan American Airlines flew the first passenger flights from the mainland to Hawaii in 1936. This led to mass tourism. After the Korean War and the attacks on Pearl Harbor, it became imminent to make Hawaii an official state. Hawaii was declared the 50th state on August 21, 1959.

In the 1970's the Hawaiian culture had a resurgence of pride and heritage awareness. The ancient Hawaiian language had all but disappeared and a huge westernization had spread across the state. In the seventies the original Hawaiian language was reintroduced back into preschools and became an important part of the heritage again Thanks to the Disney movie Lilo and Stitch we all know that ohana means family. Today the language is taught at the University of Hawaii as well.

The luau is also another important part of Hawaiian culture. Luaus have been with the culture for hundreds of years. The word luau really just means a party or a celebration. This is the way that friends and family honor each other on special occasions. Today there are two types of Luaus. The first is like the original way, just a gathering of family and friends, and is the only authentic type. They are private, and unless you have local connections, it is unlikely that tourists would be invited to such an event. The second type of Luau is commercial. It's the type that we tourists would frequent. They are heavily choreographed and can be quite entertaining. The luau usually has a buffet of some sort of roasted pig as the entre accompanied by rice and of course pineapple. These luaus are also complete with hula dancers for the guys and Polynesian dancers for the ladies viewing pleasure. There is plenty of entertainment to go around, especially when you add an open bar to the mix.

The merry monarch festival was founded in 1971. It is a hula festival; in fact it is the largest hula festival in the world. It features thousands of dancers and honors the long time Hawaiian tradition of hula dancing. The festival takes place in March or April and draws huge crowds. It is located in Hilo on the big island of Hawaii and is a weeklong cultural event.

Hawaii

2007-12-08T20:48:00.000+09:00

Coordinates: 21°18′41″N, 157°47′47″W

This article is about the U.S. State. For other uses of the term, such as the Island of Hawaiʻi, see Hawaii (disambiguation).

State of Hawaii
Mokuʻāina o Hawaiʻi


Flag of Hawaii	Seal of Hawaii
Nickname(s): The Aloha State
Motto(s): Ua Mau ke Ea o ka ʻĀina i ka Pono (English translation: The Life of the Land is Perpetuated in Righteousness)
Before Statehood Known as The Territory of Hawaii

Official language(s)

Capital

Largest city

Area

- Total

10,931 sq mi
(29,311 km²)

- Width

n/a miles (n/a km)

- Length

1,522 miles (2,450 km)

- % water

41.2

- Latitude

18° 55′ N to 28° 27′ N

- Longitude

154° 48′ W to 178° 22′ W

Population

Ranked 42^nd

- Total

1,211,537

- Density

188.6/sq mi
72.83/km² (13^th)

- Median income

$53,123 (8^th)

Elevation

- Highest point

Mauna Kea^[1]
13,796 ft (4,205 m)

- Mean

3,035 ft (925 m)

- Lowest point

Pacific Ocean^[1]
0 ft (0 m)

Admission to Union

August 21, 1959 (50^th)

Governor

Linda Lingle (R)

U.S. Senators

Daniel Inouye (D)
Daniel Akaka (D)

Congressional Delegation

List

Time zone

Hawaii: UTC-10
(no daylight saving time)

Abbreviations

HI US-HI

Web site

www.hawaii.gov

The Aloha State
State animal	Humpback Whale
State bird	Nene (Nēnē) (Branta sandvicensis)
State fish	Reef triggerfish (Humuhumunukunukuāpuaʻa)
State flower	Yellow Hibiscus - Maʻo hau hele (Hibiscus brackenridgei), federally listed as endangered
State gem	Black Coral
State motto	Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono ("The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness")
State song	Hawaii Ponoi (Hawaiʻi Ponoʻī) ("Hawaiʻi's own [people]")
State tree	Kukui (Aleurites Moluccana)

The State of Hawaii (IPA: /həˈwaɪi, həˈwaɪʔi/) (Hawaiian: Mokuʻāina o Hawaiʻi), is an archipelagic U.S. state located in the Central Pacific, south of Alaska, north of Tahiti, and 2,300 miles (3,700 km) from the Continental United States.^[2] Politically, Hawaii is considered to be a part of the North American continent.

The state encompasses nearly the entirety of the volcanic Hawaiian Island chain, which is made up of hundreds of islands spread over 1,500 miles (2,400 km). Of these, the eight largest islands are considered the "main islands" and are located at the southeastern end of the archipelago. In order from the northwest to southeast, they are Niʻihau, Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Kahoʻolawe, Maui, and Hawaiʻi. The last is by far the largest, and is very often called the "Big Island" or "Big Isle" to avoid confusion with the state.

The state was admitted to the Union on August 21, 1959, making it the 50th state. Its capital is located in its only city, Honolulu on the island of Oʻahu. The most recent census puts the state's population at 1,211,537.

In American English, Hawaii is pronounced in varying approximations to the original. From most to least anglicized, there is IPA: /həˈwaɪiː/, /həˈwaɪʔiː/, /həˈvaɪʔiː/). In the Hawaiian language, /həˈʋəiʔi/, there is also some variation, as Hawaiian IPA /ʋ/ varies from [v] to [w].

Geography

Main article: Hawaiian Islands

Location, topography, and geology

Hawaii is the southernmost state of the United States and the second westernmost state after Alaska. Only Hawaii and Alaska are outside the contiguous United States and do not share a border with any other U.S. state.

Hawaii is the only state of the United States that

is separated from the mainland by water
is completely surrounded by water
continues to grow in area because of active extrusive lava flows, most notably from Kīlauea.
is entirely in the tropics.

Map of Hawaii

Na Pali coast, Kauai

Except for Easter Island, Hawaii is farther away from land than any other landmass on Earth^{[citation needed]}. Hawaii’s tallest mountain, Mauna Kea stands over 13,000 feet (4,000 m) and is taller than Mount Everest if followed to its base at the floor of the Pacific Ocean^[3].

All of the Hawaiian Islands were formed by volcanoes arising from the sea floor from a magma source described in geological theory as a hotspot. The theory maintains that as the tectonic plate beneath much of the Pacific Ocean moves in a northwesterly direction, the hot spot remains stationary, slowly creating new volcanoes. This explains why only volcanoes on the southern half of the Big Island, and the Lōʻihi Seamount deep below the waters off its southern coast, are presently active, with Lōʻihi being the newest volcano to form.

The last volcanic eruption outside the Big Island happened at Haleakalā on Maui in the late 18th century (though recent research suggests that Haleakala's most recent eruptive activity could be hundreds of years older).^[4]

The volcanic activity and subsequent erosion created impressive geological features. The Big Island is notable as the world’s fifth highest island.

Because of the islands' volcanic formation, native life before human activity is said to have arrived by the "3 W's": wind (carried through the air), waves (brought by ocean currents), and wings (birds, insects, and whatever they brought with them). The isolation of the Hawaiian Islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, and the wide range of environments to be found on high islands located in and near the tropic, has resulted in a vast array of endemic flora and fauna. Hawaii has more endangered species per square mile and has lost a higher percent of its endemic species than anywhere else on Earth.^{[citation needed]}

Kauaʻi	Oʻahu	Maui	Molokaʻi
Lānaʻi	Kahoʻolawe	Hawaiʻi

A NASA satellite composition of the Hawaiian Islands.

Areas under the control and protection of the National Park Service include:

Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail on the Big Island
Haleakala National Park in Kula
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island
Kalaupapa National Historical Park in Kalaupapa
Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park in Kailua-Kona
Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park in Hōnaunau
Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site in Kawaihae
USS Arizona Memorial at Honolulu

Climate

A sunset in Hawaii

The climate of Hawaii is typical for a tropical area, although temperatures and humidity tend to be a bit less extreme than other tropical locales due to the constant trade winds blowing from the east. Summer highs are usually in the upper 80s°F, (around 31°C) during the day and mid 70s, (around 24 °C) at night. Winter temperatures during the day are usually in the low to mid 80s, (around 28 °C) and (at low elevation) seldom dipping below the mid 60s (18 °C) at night. Snow, although not usually associated with tropics, falls at the higher elevations of Mauna Kea (13,796 feet/ 4,205 meters) and Mauna Loa on the Big Island in some winter months. Snow only rarely falls on Maui’s Haleakalā. Mount Waiʻaleʻale, on the island of Kauaʻi, is notable for rainfall, as it has the second highest average annual rainfall on Earth, about 460 inches (38 ft. 4 in., or 11.7 m).

Local climates vary considerably on each island, grossly divisible into windward (Koʻolau) and leeward (Kona) areas based upon location relative to the higher mountains. Windward sides face the Northeast Trades and receive much more rainfall; leeward sides are drier and sunnier, with less rain and less cloud cover. This fact is utilized by the tourist industry, which concentrates resorts on sunny leeward coasts.

kona low

Main article: List of Hawaii hurricanes

Hurricanes are a rare occurrence in Hawaii, although it is probable that all the islands of Hawaii have been hit by a hurricane in the past. The worst hurricane to hit Hawaii was Hurricane Iniki in 1992, which showed that Hawaii was indeed vulnerable to a direct hit from a hurricane.

City	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Monthly Normal High and Low Temperatures (°F) for Various Hawaii Cities
Hilo	79/64	79/64	79/65	79/66	81/67	82/68	82/69	83/69	83/69	83/68	81/67	80/65
Honolulu	80/66	81/65	82/67	83/68	85/70	87/72	88/74	89/75	89/74	87/73	84/71	82/68
Kahului	80/63	81/63	82/65	82/66	84/67	86/69	87/71	88/71	88/70	87/69	84/68	82/65
Lihue	78/65	78/66	78/67	79/69	81/70	83/73	84/74	85/74	85/74	84/73	81/71	79/68
^[5]

Important towns

The movement of the Hawaiian royal family from the island of Hawaiʻi to Maui, and subsequently to Oʻahu, explains why certain population centers exist where they do today. The largest city, Honolulu, was the one chosen by King Kamehameha III as the capital of his kingdom because of the natural harbor there, the present-day Honolulu Harbor.

Now the state capital, Honolulu is located along the southeast coast of the island of Oʻahu. The previous capital was Lahaina, Maui. Some major towns are Hilo, Kona Kāneʻohe, Kailua, Pearl City, Waipahu, Kahului, Kailua-Kona, Kīhei, and Līhuʻe.

[edit] Notable features

The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands National Monument was proclaimed by President George W. Bush on June 15, 2006, under the 1906 Antiquities Act. The monument covers roughly 140,000 square miles (360,000 km²) of reefs, atolls and shallow and deep sea (out to 50 miles (80 km) offshore) in the Pacific Ocean, larger than all of America’s National Parks combined.^[6]

History

History of Hawaii

Ancient times
Monarchy
Provisional Government
Republic
Territory
State

Main article: History of Hawaii

The earliest habitation supported by archaeologic evidence dates to the 11th century, probably by Polynesian settlers from the Marquesas, Raiatea and Bora Bora. However, as with most archaeology worldwide, this date is ever-changing as new evidence is discovered. The first recorded European contact with the islands was in 1778 by British explorer James Cook. Substantial evidence (Stokes 1932 for example) exists, however, of earlier Spanish, and possibly Irish^{[citation needed]}, visits to Hawaii. Hawaii is one of four constituent states of the United States that were independent nations prior to their statehood, along with California, Texas, and Vermont. The Kingdom of Hawaii existed from 1810 until 1893 when the monarchy was overthrown. It was an independent republic from 1894 until 1898. It was annexed by the United States in 1898, became a territory in 1900, and has been a state since 1959.

Hawaiian antiquity

Main articles: Ancient Hawaii, Hawaiian mythology, and Polynesian mythology

Anthropologists believe that Polynesians from the Marquesas and possibly the Society Islands first populated the Hawaiian Islands at some time between 300 and 1000 CE. There is a great deal of dispute regarding these dates.

Archaeologists and historians also differ as to whether there were one or two waves of colonization. It is believed by some authors that there had been an early settlement from the Marquesas and a later wave of immigrants from Tahiti, circa 1300, who were said to have introduced a new line of high chiefs and the practice of human sacrifice. This later immigration is detailed in folk tales about Paao (Pāʻao). Other authors, however, have argued that there is no archaeological or linguistic evidence whatsoever for a later influx of Tahitian settlers and that Paao must be regarded as a myth. Since there are still many supporters of the Paao narrative, this topic is still hotly disputed.

As most Hawaiians are descended from the above royal lineage including King Kamehameha it seems that although Pa'ao may have greatly influenced the Hawaiian Kapu system with the introduction of a class based society, the building of temples and human sacrifice, it seems that Pa'ao and his fellow late arrivals from the South never actually gained control of the islands. Leaving aside the question of Paao and the history of the Royal Hawai'ian lineage, historians agree that the history of the islands was marked by a slow but steady growth in population and the size of chiefdoms, which grew to encompass whole islands. Local chiefs, called alii (aliʻi), ruled their settlements and fought to extend their sway and defend their communities from predatory rivals. This was conducted in a system of Ali'i of various ranks somewhat similar to Feudalism

European contact

The 1778 arrival of British explorer Captain James Cook is usually taken to be Hawaii’s first contact with European explorers. Cook plotted and published the geographical coordinates of the Hawaiian Islands, so that they could be found again. Cook named his discovery the Sandwich Islands in honor of one of his sponsors, John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich, and reported the native name as Owyhee. (Cook also gave the Sandwich name to some islands near Argentina, which still retain the name as the British Overseas Territory of the South Sandwich Islands).

Some writers have claimed that there were European visitors before Cook, citing Hawaiian legends and references in some Spanish chronicles in support of their argument.^{[citation needed]} While it is possible that there were earlier visitors, this is not accepted as fact by most historians.

Cook visited the Hawaiian islands twice. During his second visit - in 1779 - he attempted to abduct a Hawaiian chief and hold him as ransom for return of a ship’s boat that was stolen by a different minor chief;^[7] the chief’s supporters fought back, and Cook was killed.

After Cook’s visit and the publication of several books relating his voyages, the Hawaiian islands received many European visitors: explorers, traders, and eventually whalers who found the islands a convenient harbor and source of fresh food. Early British influence can still be seen from the design of the local Flag of Hawaii which has the British Union Flag in the corner. Visitors introduced diseases to the formerly isolated islands, and the Hawaiian population plunged precipitously. American missionaries arrived in 1820 and eventually converted the chiefs and the remaining population to Protestant Christianity.

Hawaiian kingdom

Main article: Kingdom of Hawaii

During the 1780s and 1790s the chiefs were constantly fighting for power.^[8] After a series of battles that ended in 1795 and forced cession of the island of Kauaʻi in 1810, all of the inhabited islands were subjugated under a single ruler who would become known as King Kamehameha the Great. He established the House of Kamehameha, a dynasty that ruled over the kingdom until 1872.

The death of the bachelor King Kamehameha V—who did not name an heir—resulted in the popular election of King Lunalilo over Kalākaua. After Lunalilo’s death, in a hotly contested and allegedly fraudulent election by the legislature in 1874 between Kalākaua and Emma (which led to riots and the landing of U.S. and British troops to keep the peace), governance was passed on to the House of Kalākaua.

In 1887, the influence of Walter Murray Gibson, a group of primarily American and European businessmen, including kingdom subjects and members of the Hawaiian government forced King Kalākaua to sign the derisively nicknamed "Bayonet Constitution" which stripped the king of administrative authority, eliminated voting rights for Asians and set minimum income and property requirements for American, European and native Hawaiian voters, essentially limiting the electorate to wealthy elite Americans, Europeans and native Hawaiians. King Kalākaua reigned until his death in 1891. His sister, Liliʻuokalani, succeeded him to the throne and ruled until her overthrow in 1893.

Kamehameha	Kamehameha II	Kamehameha III	Kamehameha IV
Kamehameha V	Lunalilo	Kalākaua	Liliʻuokalani

Overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy

Ship's landing force on duty at the Arlington Hotel, Honolulu, at the time of the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy, January 1893. Lieutenant Lucien Young, USN, commanded the detachment, and is presumably the officer at right.^[9]

Main article: Overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy

In 1893, Queen Liliʻuokalani threatened to abrogate the "Bayonet Constitution" and draft a new constitution that would restore power to the monarchy. Supporters of the Reform Party (primarily of American and European ancestry, but including some native Hawaiians) organized in response to this and took over the government of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi. American troops aboard the USS Boston were landed in Honolulu under strict orders of neutrality, to protect the "lives and property of American citizens, and to assist in preserving public order",^[10] while a 13 member council of businessmen, attorneys and politicians organized the Honolulu Rifles to depose Queen Liliʻuokalani.

The monarchy ended in January 1893, and there was much controversy in the following years as the queen tried to regain her throne. After an unsuccessful attempt at armed rebellion in 1895, a weapons cache was found on the palace grounds and Queen Liliʻuokalani was placed under arrest, tried by a military tribunal of the Republic of Hawaii, convicted of misprision of treason and then imprisoned in her own home. Soon after, Lili`uokalani was given a document of abdication to sign and was led to believe that, if she refused, several of her followers were to be shot for treason. She wrote, "For myself, I would have chosen death rather than to have signed it; but it was represented to me that by my signing this paper all the persons who had been arrested, all my people now in trouble by reason of their love and loyalty toward me, would be immediately released ... the stream of blood ready to flow unless it was stayed by my pen." The Queen officially abdicated in 1896.^[11]

In 1993, a joint Apology Resolution regarding the overthrow was passed by Congress and signed by President Clinton, apologizing for the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom.^[12]

Republic of Hawaii

Main article: Republic of Hawaii

ʻIolani Palace in Honolulu, formerly the residence of the Hawaiian monarch, was the capitol of the Republic of Hawaii.

The Republic of Hawaii was the formal name of Hawaii from 1894 to 1898 when it was run as a republic. The republic period occurred between the administration of the Provisional Government of Hawaii which ended on July 4, 1894 and the adoption of the Newlands Resolution in Congress in which the Republic was annexed to the United States and became the Territory of Hawaii on July 7, 1898.

U.S. territory

Main article: Territory of Hawaii

When William McKinley won the presidential election in November of 1896, the question of Hawaii’s annexation to the U.S. was again opened. The previous president, Grover Cleveland, was a friend of Queen Liliʻuokalani. He had remained opposed to annexation until the end of his term, but McKinley was open to persuasion by U.S. expansionists and by annexationists from Hawaii. He agreed to meet with a committee of annexationists from Hawaii, Lorrin Thurston, Francis Hatch and William Kinney. After negotiations, in June of 1897, McKinley agreed to a treaty of annexation with these representatives of the Republic of Hawaii.^[13] The president then submitted the treaty to the U.S. Senate for approval.

Despite some opposition in the islands, the Newlands Resolution was passed by the House June 15, 1898, by a vote of 209 to 91, and by the Senate on July 6, 1898, by a vote of 42 to 21, annexing Hawaii as a U.S. territory. Its legality continues to be questioned because it was a United States Government resolution, not a treaty of cession or conquest as is required by international law. Both houses of the American Congress carried the measure with two-thirds majorities.

In 1900, Hawaii was granted self-governance and retained Iolani Palace as the territorial capitol building. Though several attempts were made to achieve statehood, Hawaii remained a territory for sixty years. Plantation owners, such as the Big Five, found territorial status convenient, enabling them to continue importing cheap foreign labor; such immigration was prohibited in various states of the U.S.

The power of the plantation owners was finally broken by activist descendants of original immigrant laborers. Because they were born in a U.S. territory, they were legal U.S. citizens. Expecting to gain full voting rights, they actively campaigned for statehood for the Hawaiian Islands.

U.S. statehood

All representative districts voted at least 93% in favor of Admission acts. Ballot (inset) and referendum results for the Admission Act of 1959.

In March 1959, both houses of Congress passed the Admission Act and U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower signed it into law. (The act excluded Palmyra Atoll, part of the Kingdom and Territory of Hawaii, from the new state.) On June 27 of that year, a plebiscite was held asking residents of Hawaii to vote on accepting the statehood bill. Hawaii voted at a ratio of 17 to 1 to accept. There has been criticism, however, of the Statehood plebiscite, because the only choices were to accept the Act or to remain a territory, without addressing the issues of legality surrounding the overthrow^[14]^[15]^[16]. Despite the criticism, the United Nations decolonization committee later removed Hawaii from the United Nations list of Non-Self-Governing Territories.

After statehood, Hawaii quickly became a modern state with a construction boom and rapidly growing economy. The Hawaii Republican Party, which was strongly supported by the plantation owners, was voted out of office. In its place, the Democratic Party of Hawaii dominated state politics for forty years.

In recent decades, the state government has implemented programs to promote Hawaiian culture. The Hawaii State Constitutional Convention of 1978 incorporated as state constitutional law specific programs such as the creation of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to promote the indigenous Hawaiian language and culture.

Demographics

Historical populations
Census	Pop.	%±
1900	154,001	—
1910	191,874	24.6%
1920	255,881	33.4%
1930	368,300	43.9%
1940	422,770	14.8%
1950	499,794	18.2%
1960	632,772	26.6%
1970	769,913	21.7%
1980	964,691	25.3%
1990	1,108,229	14.9%
2000	1,211,537	9.3%
Est. 2006	1,285,498	6.1%

As of 2005, Hawaii has an estimated population of 1,275,194, which is an increase of 13,070, or 1.0%, from the prior year and an increase of 63,657, or 5.3%, since the year 2000. This includes a natural increase since the last census of 48,111 people (that is 96,028 births minus 47,917 deaths) and an increase due to net migration of 16,956 people into the state. Immigration from outside the United States resulted in a net increase of 30,068 people, and migration within the country produced a net loss of 13,112 people. The center of population of Hawaii is located directly between the two islands of Oʻahu and Molokaʻi^[17].

Hawaii has a de facto population of over 1.3 million due to military presence and tourists. Oʻahu, which is aptly nicknamed "The Gathering Place", is the most populous island (and the one with the highest population density), with a resident population of just under one million in 597 square miles (1,546 km²), about 1,650 people per square mile (for comparison, New Jersey, which has 8,717,925 people in 7,417 square miles (19,210 km²) is the most-densely populated state with 1,134 people per square mile.^[18]) Hawaii’s 1,275,194 people, spread over 6,423 square miles (including many unpopulated islands) results in an average population density of 188.6 persons per square mile,^[19] which makes Hawaii less densely populated than states like Ohio and Illinois.^[20]

Hawaii may be an especially healthy place to live. The average projected lifespan of those born in Hawaii in the year 2000 is 79.8 years (77.1 years if male, 82.5 if female), longer than the residents of any other state.^[21]

U.S. military personnel makes up approximately 1.3% of the total population in the islands.

Ethnicities

Further information: Europeans in Oceania

Ethnically, Hawaii is one of only four states in which non-Hispanic whites do not form a majority, and has the largest percentage of Asian Americans. Hawaii was the second majority-minority state in the United States. Both Hawaii and New Mexico have been majority-minority regions since the early 20th century, but New Mexico became a state before Hawaii. Hawaii also has the largest percentage of persons of mixed race, who constitute some 20% of the total population.^[22]

Demographics of Hawaii (csv)
By race	White	Black	AIAN	Asian	NHPI
_{AIAN is American Indian or Alaskan Native - NHPI is Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander}
2000 (total population)	40.32%	2.83%	2.07%	58.19%	23.39%
2000 (Hispanic only)	4.69%	0.33%	0.56%	3.32%	2.48%
2005 (total population)	41.26%	3.33%	2.03%	57.53%	22.10%
2005 (Hispanic only)	5.51%	0.39%	0.51%	3.32%	2.36%
Growth 2000-2005 (total population)	7.70%	23.70%	3.25%	4.07%	-0.56%
Growth 2000-2005 (non-Hispanic only)	5.59%	23.93%	6.38%	4.01%	-0.64%
Growth 2000-2005 (Hispanic only)	23.78%	21.96%	-5.09%	5.07%	0.04%

Ancestry Group

The largest ancestry groups in Hawaii are:

**Population Of Hawaii**
Ancestry	Percentage	Main article:
Japanese	(16.7%) of Total	See Japanese American
Polynesian	(16%)	See Native Hawaiians
Filipino	(14.1%)	See Filipino American
German	(5.8%)	See German American
Chinese	(4.7%)	See Chinese American
Irish	(4.4%)	See Irish American
English	(4.3%)	See English American
Portuguese	(4.0%)	See Portuguese American
Puerto Ricans	(2.5%)	See Puerto Ricans
Korean	(1.9%)	See Korean American
African	(1.8%)	See African American
Italian	(1.8%)	See Italian American
Mexican	(1.6%)	See Mexican American
French	(1.5%)	See French American
American	(1.4%)	See British American
Scottish	(1.1%)	See Scottish American

Hawaii Ancestry

Hawaii Population Density Map

The third group of foreigners to arrive upon Hawaii’s shores, after the Polynesians and Europeans, were the Chinese. Chinese employees serving on Western trading ships disembarked and settled starting in 1789. In 1820 the first American missionaries arrived in Hawaii to preach Christianity and teach the Hawaiians what the missionaries considered "civilized" ways. A large proportion of Hawaii’s population has become a people of Asian ancestry (especially Chinese, Japanese and Filipino) many of whom are descendants from those waves of early foreign immigrants brought to the islands in the nineteenth century, beginning in the 1850s, to work on the sugar plantations. The first 153 Japanese immigrants arrived in Hawaii on June 19, 1868. They were not "legally" approved by the Japanese government established after the Meiji Restoration because the contract was between a broker and the Tokugawa shogunate, by then terminated. The first Japanese government-approved immigrants arrived in Hawaii on February 9, 1885 after Kalākaua's petition to Emperor Meiji when Kalakaua visited Japan in 1881.

Almost 13,000 Portuguese had come to Hawaii by 1899. They worked on the sugar plantations, as many had done previously. By October 17, 1901, 5,000 Puerto Ricans had made their new homes on the four islands. Currently, there are over 30,000 Puerto Ricans or Hawaiian-Puerto Ricans and almost 50,000 Hawaiian-Portuguese living in Hawaii.

Religion

Religion/Adherents (Percent of Population)
Christian/351,000 (28.9%)
Buddhist/110,000 (9%)
Jewish/10,000 (0.8%)
Other*/750,000 (61.1%)

Other includes: agnostic or atheist, unaffiliated, Bahá'í, Confucian, Daoist, Druid, Hawaiian, Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Shinto, Scientologist, Unitarian, Wiccan, Zoroastrian, etc.

Sources

Languages

Main article: Hawaiian language

The State of Hawaii has two official languages recognized in its constitution adopted at the 1978 constitutional convention: English and Hawaiian. Article XV, Section 4, specifies that "Hawaiian shall be required for public acts and transactions only as provided by law" [italic added]. Hawaii Creole English (locally referred to as 'Pidgin') is the native dialect of many born-and-raised residents and is a second dialect for many other residents. After English, the second- and third-most spoken individual languages are Ilokano (most are bilingual in Wikang Filipino) and Japanese, respectively. Significant European immigrants and descendants also speak their native languages; the most numerous are Spanish, German, Portuguese and French.

As of the 2000 U.S. Census, 73.44% of Hawaii residents age 5 and older speak only English at home. Tagalog speakers make up 5.37% (which includes non-native speakers of Wikang Filipino, the national co-official Tagalog-based language), followed by Japanese at 4.96%, Ilokano at 4.05%, Chinese at 1.92%, Hawaiian at 1.68%, Spanish at 1.66%, Korean at 1.61%, and Samoan at 1.01%^[23].

Origin of Hawaiian

Hawaiian is a member of the Polynesian branch of the Austronesian family. It began to develop around 1000 A.D., when foreign Marquesans or Tahitians of that era colonized Hawaii. Those originally foreign Polynesians remained in the islands, thereby becoming the Hawaiian people. Consequently, their originally foreign language developed into the Hawaiian language.

Before the arrival of Captain James Cook, the Hawaiian language was never written. The written form of Hawaiian was developed mainly by American Protestant missionaries during 1820–1826. They assigned letters from the Latin alphabet that corresponded to the Hawaiian sounds.

Revival of Hawaiian

As a result of the constitutional provision, interest in the Hawaiian language was revived in the late 20th century. Public and independent schools throughout the state began teaching Hawaiian language standards as part of the regular curricula, beginning with preschool. With the help of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, also created by the 1978 constitutional convention, specially designated Hawaiian language immersion schools were established where students would be taught in all subjects using Hawaiian. Also, the University of Hawaii System developed the only Hawaiian language graduate studies program in the world. Municipal codes were altered in favor of Hawaiian place and street names for new civic developments.

Note on Hawaiian language and ʻokina usage

Hawaiian distinguishes between long and short vowels. In modern written Hawaiian and when writing words and names of Hawaiian origin in English, vowel length can be indicated with a macron (kahakō).

Also, Hawaiian has the glottal stop as a consonant. In writing, it can be indicated with the apostrophe, or with the opening single quote (ʻokina).

In Hawaiian-language newspapers published from 1834–1948, the spelling Hawaii was used. However, in texts written mainly for Hawaiian-language pedagogy, especially since 1950, the modern Hawaiian-language spelling used is Hawaiʻi, with an ʻokina written between the final two vowels. Although ʻokinas and kahakōs were not used and not needed by native speakers of Hawaiian for over 100 years, their use is appropriate in modern written Hawaiian, and increasingly considered appropriate and educated in modern written English in Hawaii as well.

"Pidgin"

Many residents speak Hawaii Creole English (HCE), often called "pidgin". The lexicon of HCE derives mainly from English but also has words from Hawaiian, Chinese, Japanese, Tagalog and Portuguese. During the 19th century, there was a great increase in immigration from foreign countries (mainly China, Japan, Portugal—especially from the Azores archipelago—and Spain), and a pidgin English developed which by the early 20th century became a creole English, as pidgin speakers had children who acquired the pidgin as their own native language.

HCE speakers can use some Hawaiian words without those words being considered archaic. Most place names are retained from Hawaiian, as are some names for plants or animals. For example, tuna fish are often called "ʻahi". HCE speakers have modified the meanings of certain English words. For example, the terms "auntie" and "uncle" can be used to refer to any adult who is a friend, or a friend to the family. It is also used as a sign of respect for elders. Throughout the surfing boom in Hawaii, HCE has influenced surfer slang. Some HCE expressions, such as brah and da kine, have found their way to other places.

Certain words can be dropped if their meaning is implicit. For example, instead of saying "It is hot today, isn't it?", an HCE speaker is likely to say simply "stay hot, eh?"

Debates

A somewhat divisive political issue that has arisen since The Constitution of the State of Hawaii added Hawaiian as a second official state language is the exact spelling of the state’s name in English. As prescribed in the Admission of Hawaii Act that granted Hawaiian statehood, the federal government recognizes Hawaii to be the official state name.

Official government publications^{[citation needed]}, as well as department and office titles^{[citation needed]}, use the traditional Hawaiian spelling, that is, with no symbols for glottal stops or vowel length. In contrast, some private entities, including a local newspaper, are using such symbols.

The title of the state constitution is "The Constitution of the State of Hawaii". In Article XV therein, Section 1 uses "The State of Hawaii", Section 2 "the island of Oahu", Section 3 "The Hawaiian flag", and Section 5 specifies the state motto as "Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono". Note that no ʻokinas nor kahakōs are used in all those cases.

The nuances in the Hawaiian language debate are often not obvious or well-appreciated among English speakers outside Hawaii. The issue has often been a source of friction in situations where correct naming conventions are mandated, as people frequently disagree over which spelling is correct or incorrect, and where it is correctly or incorrectly applied.

See also: Hawaiian language#Orthography (writing system)

Education

Main article: Hawaii Department of Education

Hawaii is currently the only state in the union with a unified school system statewide. Policy decisions are made by the fourteen-member state Board of Education, with thirteen members elected for four-year terms and one non-voting student member. The Board of Education sets statewide educational policy and hires the state superintendent of schools, who oversees the operations of the state Department of Education. The Department of Education is also divided into seven districts, four on Oʻahu and one for each of the other counties.

The structure of the state Department of Education has been a subject of discussion and controversy in recent years. The main rationale for the current centralized model is equity in school funding and distribution of resources: leveling out inequalities that would exist between highly populated Oʻahu and the more rural Neighbor Islands, and between lower-income and more affluent areas of the state. This system of school funding differs from many localities in the United States where schools are funded from local property taxes.

Policy initiatives have been made in recent years toward decentralization. Current Republican Governor Linda Lingle is a proponent of replacing the current statewide board with seven elected district boards. The Democratic-controlled state legislature opposed her proposal, instead favoring expansion of decision-making power to the schools and giving schools more discretion over budgeting. Political debate on structural reform is likely to continue for the foreseeable future.

Schools and academies

As stated above, the Hawaii State Department of Education operates all of the public schools in the State of Hawaii.

Hawaii has the distinction of educating more students in independent institutions of secondary education than any other state in the United States. It also has four of the largest independent schools: Iolani School, Kamehameha Schools, Mid-Pacific Institute, and Punahou School, Saint Louis High School, and Maryknoll School. The second Buddhist high school in the United States, and first Buddhist high school in Hawaii, Pacific Buddhist Academy, was founded in 2003. (The first Buddhist high school in the United States was Developing Virtue Secondary School founded in 1981 in Ukiah, California.)

Both independent and charter schools can select their students, while the regular public schools must take all students in their district. For a comprehensive list of independent schools, see the list of independent schools in Hawaii. For a comprehensive list of public schools, see the list of public schools in Hawaii.

Colleges and universities

Graduates of institutions of secondary learning in Hawaii often either enter directly into the work force or attend colleges and universities. While many choose to attend colleges and universities on the mainland or elsewhere, most choose to attend one of many institutions of higher learning in Hawaii.

The largest of these institutions is the University of Hawaii System. It consists of: (1) the flagship research university at Mānoa; (2) two comprehensive campuses Hilo and West Oahu; and (7) seven Community Colleges. Students choosing private education attend Brigham Young University Hawaii, Chaminade University of Honolulu, Hawaii Pacific University, or University of the Nations.

The Saint Stephen Diocesan Center is a seminary of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Honolulu. For a comprehensive list of colleges and universities, see the list of colleges and universities in Hawaii.

Problems

Public schools in Hawaii have to deal with large populations of children of non-native English-speaking immigrants and a culture that is different in many ways from the mainland U.S., whence most of the course materials come, and where most of the standards for schools are set.

The public elementary, middle, and high school scores in Hawaii tend to be below average on national tests as mandated under the No Child Left Behind Act. Some of this can be attributed to the Hawaii State Board of Education requiring all eligible students to take these tests and reporting all student test scores unlike, for example, Texas and Michigan. Results reported in August 2005 indicate that two-thirds of Hawaii’s schools failed to reach federal minimum performance standards in math and reading (of 282 schools across the state, 185 failed ^[24]).

On the other hand, results of the ACT college placement tests show that Hawaii class of 2005 seniors scored slightly above the national average (21.9 compared with 20.9) (Honolulu Advertiser, Aug. 17, 2005, p. B1). It should be noted that fewer students take the ACT examination than take the more widely accepted SAT examination. On the SAT, Hawaii’s college bound seniors tend to score below the national average in all categories except math.

Economy

See also: Hawaii locations by per capita income

The history of Hawaii can be traced through a succession of dominating industries: sandalwood, whaling, sugarcane, pineapple, military, tourism, and education. Since statehood was achieved in 1959, tourism has been the largest industry in Hawaii, contributing 24.3% of the Gross State Product (GSP) in 1997. New efforts are underway to diversify the economy. The total gross output for the state in 2003 was US$47 billion; per capita income for Hawaii residents was US$30,441.

Industrial exports from Hawaii include food processing and apparel. These industries play a small role in the Hawaii economy, however, due to the considerable shipping distance to the ports and population of the West Coast of the United States. Food exports include coffee, macadamia nuts, pineapple, livestock, and cane sugar. Agricultural sales for 2002, according to the Hawaii Agricultural Statistics Service, were US$370.9 million from diversified agriculture, US$100.6 million from pineapple, and US$64.3 million from sugarcane.

Hawaii is known for its relatively high per capita state tax burden. In the years 2002 and 2003, Hawaii residents had the highest state tax per capita at US$2,757 and US$2,838, respectively. This rate can be explained partly by the fact that services such as education, health care and social services are all rendered at the state level, as opposed to the municipal level in all other states.

Millions of tourists contribute to the collection figure by paying the general excise tax and hotel room tax; thus not all the taxes collected come directly from residents. Business leaders, however, have often considered the state's tax burden as being too high, contributing to both higher prices and the perception of an unfriendly business climate.^[25] See the list of businesses in Hawaii for more information on commerce in the state.

Until recently, Hawaii was the only state in the U.S. that attempted to control gasoline prices through a Gas Cap Law. The law was enacted during a period when oil profits in Hawaii in relation to the mainland U.S. were under scrutiny, and sought to tie local gasoline prices to those of the mainland. The law took effect in September 2005 amid price fluctuations caused by Hurricane Katrina. The Hawaii state legislature suspended the law in April 2006.

Law and government

It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Government of Hawaii. (Discuss)

See also: United States presidential election, 2004, in Hawaii

**Presidential elections results**
Year	Republican	Democratic
2004	45.26% 194,191	54.01% 231,708
2000	37.46% 137,845	55.79% 205,286
1996	31.64% 113,943	56.93% 205,012
1992	36.70% 136,822	48.09% 179,310
1988	44.75% 158,625	54.27% 192,364
1984	55.10% 185,050	43.82% 147,154
1980	42.90% 130,112	44.80% 135,879
1976	48.06% 140,003	50.59% 147,375
1972	62.48% 168,865	37.52% 101,409
1968	38.70% 91,425	59.83% 141,324
1964	21.24% 44,022	78.76% 163,249
1960	49.97% 92,295	50.03% 92,410

The state government of Hawaii is modeled after the federal government with adaptations originating from the kingdom era of Hawaiian history. As codified in the Constitution of Hawaii, there are three branches of government: executive, legislative and judicial.

The executive branch is led by the Governor of Hawaii and assisted by the Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii, both elected on the same ticket. The governor, in residence at the grounds of Washington Place, is the only public official elected for the state government in a statewide race; all other administrators and judges are appointed by the governor. The lieutenant governor is concurrently the Secretary of State of Hawaii. Both the governor and lieutenant governor administer their duties from the Hawaii State Capitol. The governor and lieutenant governor oversee the major agencies and departments of the executive of which there are twenty.

The legislative branch consists of the Hawaii State Legislature—the twenty-five members of the Hawaii State Senate led by the President of the Senate and the fifty-one members of the Hawaii State House of Representatives led by the Speaker of the House. They also govern from the Hawaii State Capitol. The judicial branch is led by the highest state court, the Hawaii State Supreme Court, which uses Aliʻiōlani Hale as its chambers. Lower courts are organized as the Hawaii State Judiciary.

The state is represented in the Congress of the United States by a delegation of four members. They are the senior and junior United States Senators, the representative of the First Congressional District of Hawaii and the representative of the Second Congressional District of Hawaii. Many Hawaii residents have been appointed to administer other agencies and departments of the federal government by the President of the United States. All federal officers of Hawaii administer their duties locally from the Prince Kūhiō Federal Building near the Aloha Tower and Honolulu Harbor.

Hawaii is primarily dominated by the Democratic Party and has supported Democrats in 10 of the 12 presidential elections in which it has participated. In 2004, John Kerry won the state’s 4 electoral votes by a margin of 9 percentage points with 54% of the vote. Every county in the state supported the Democratic candidate.

The Prince Kūhiō Federal Building also houses agencies of the federal government such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service and the United States Secret Service. The building is the site of the federal courts and the offices of the United States Attorney for the District of Hawaii, principal law enforcement officer of the United States Department of Justice in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii.

Linda Lingle Governor (Republican)	James R. Aiona, Jr. Lieutenant Governor (Republican)	Daniel Inouye U.S. Senator (Democrat)	Daniel Akaka U.S. Senator (Democrat)
Neil Abercrombie U.S. Representative (Democrat)	Mazie Hirono U.S. Representative (Democrat)	Harry Kim Mayor of Hawaii (Nonpartisan)	Mufi Hannemann Mayor of Honolulu (Nonpartisan)
Bryan J. Baptiste Mayor of Kauai (Nonpartisan)	Charmaine Tavares Mayor of Maui (Nonpartisan)

Unique to Hawaii is the way it has organized its municipal governments. There are no incorporated cities in Hawaii except the City & County of Honolulu. All other municipal governments are administered at the county level. The county executives are the Mayor of Hawaiʻi, Mayor of Honolulu, Mayor of Kauaʻi and Mayor of Maui. All mayors in the state are elected in nonpartisan races.

The officers of the federal and state governments have been historically elected from the Democratic Party of Hawaii and the Hawaii Republican Party. Municipal charters in the state have declared all mayors to be elected in nonpartisan races.

Transportation

By road

Hawaii has 4 federal highways: H-1, H-2, H-3, and H-201, all located on Oʻahu and all part of the Interstate Highway System. With the exception of H-201, which begins and ends on H-1, all the highways have at least one end point at or near a current or former military installation. A system of state highways encircles the other main islands as well as Oʻahu. Travel can be slow due to narrow winding roads on the coastlines. Travel can be significantly congested during morning and evening commute times in and out of Honolulu, particularly on the leeward side. Be aware that H1 was constructed after Honolulu was well established, and on/off ramps are diverted throughout the city. A good road map is well advised.

By air

Aviation is an important part of Hawaii’s transportation network, as most interisland travel takes place using commercial airlines. Hawaiian Airlines, Aloha Airlines, and go! use jets to travel between the larger commercial airports in Honolulu, Līhuʻe, Kahului, Kona, and Hilo, while Island Air and Pacific Wings serve smaller airports. These airlines also provide air freight service between the islands.

By ship or ferry

A ferry linked to TheBus will begin service September of 2007. Fare for TheBoat is $2.00, and it runs from Barber's Point to Aloha Tower Marketplace daily. It is hoped that linking to TheBus and delivering commuters from Leeward to Honolulu will alleviate traffic.

Norwegian Cruise Lines provides American-flagged passenger cruise service between the islands. A company called Hawaii Superferry planned to connect the islands with a ferry system capable of transporting vehicles. Service was scheduled to begin in the second half of 2007 with routes from Oʻahu to Kauaʻi and Maui. However, legal issues over environmental impact statements and protests from residents of Maui and Kauaʻi have left this service currently unavailable.

Miscellaneous topics

Etymology

The Hawaiian language word Hawaiʻi derives from Proto Polynesian *Sawaiki, with the reconstructed meaning "homeland";^[26] cognate words are found in other Polynesian languages, including Māori (Hawaiki), Rarotongan (ʻAvaiki), and Samoan (Savaiʻi). (See also Hawaiki).

According to Pukui and Elbert (1986:62) "Elsewhere in Polynesia, Hawaiʻi or a cognate is the name of the underworld or of the ancestral home, but in Hawaiʻi the name has no meaning; see Pukui, Elbert, and Mookini, 1974." (emphasis added)

Media

Newspapers

Two major competing Honolulu-based newspapers serve all of Hawaii. The Honolulu Advertiser is owned by Gannett Pacific Corporation while the Honolulu Star-Bulletin is owned by Black Press of British Columbia in Canada. Both are among the largest newspapers in the United States in terms of circulation. Other locally published newspapers are available to residents of the various islands.

The Hawaii business community is served by the Pacific Business News and Hawaii Business Magazine. The largest religious community in Hawaii is served by the Hawaii Catholic Herald. Honolulu Magazine is a popular magazine that offers local interest news and feature articles.

Founded in 2002, the online daily newspaper Hawaii Reporter has become a significant resource to residents and mainlanders that specifically offers non-advertiser based, investigative reporting on local and state government and businesses.

Apart from the mainstream press, the state also enjoys a vibrant ethnic publication presence with newspapers for the Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean and Native Hawaiian communities. In addition, there is an alternative weekly, the Honolulu Weekly.

Television

All of the major American broadcast television networks are represented in Hawaii through KHON-TV (Fox, The CW on DT2), KITV (ABC), KFVE (MyNetworkTV), KGMB (CBS), KHET (PBS), KHNL (NBC), and KPXO (ION Television), among others. Two independent stations, KIKU-TV and KBFD, specialize in multi-cultural programs serving Asian audiences. From Honolulu, programming at these stations can be seen on the various other islands via networks of satellite transmitters and through Oceanic Time Warner Cable. Until the advent of satellite, most network programming was broadcast a week behind mainland scheduling.

Unlike most major television stations in most (if not all) other areas of the United States, none of the major network affiliates in Honolulu air an afternoon newscast. This allows the networks' daytime programming to be aired without preemption.

The various production companies that work with the major networks have produced television series and other projects in Hawaii. Most notable were police dramas like Magnum P.I. and Hawaii Five-O. Currently, hit TV shows Lost and the soon to be canceled Dog the Bounty Hunter are filmed in the Hawaiian Islands. A comprehensive list of such projects can be seen at the list of Hawaii television series.

Film

See also: List of films set in Hawaii

Hawaii has a growing film industry administered by the state through the Hawaii Film Office. Several television shows, movies, and various other media projects were produced in the Hawaiian Islands, taking advantage of the natural scenic landscapes as backdrops. Notable films produced in Hawaii or inspired by Hawaii include Hawaii, Blue Hawaii, Donovan's Reef, From Here to Eternity, In Harm's Way, South Pacific, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Jurassic Park, Picture Bride, Lani Loa, Outbreak, Waterworld, Six Days Seven Nights, George of the Jungle, 50 First Dates, Pearl Harbor, Blue Crush, The Even Stevens Movie, Race the Sun and Lilo and Stitch. The film Snakes on a Plane takes place on a flight departing Hawaii for the U.S. mainland. Hawaii is home to a prominent film festival known as the Hawaii International Film Festival.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Hawaii

The aboriginal culture of Hawaii is Polynesian. Hawaii represents the northernmost extension of the vast Polynesian triangle of the south and central Pacific Ocean. While traditional Hawaiian culture remains only as vestiges influencing modern Hawaiian society, there are reenactments of the ceremonies and traditions throughout the islands. Some of these cultural influences are strong enough to have affected the culture of the United States at large, including the popularity (in greatly modified form) of lūʻaus and hula.

Sister cities

Hawaii has an active sister state program, which includes ties to:

Azores, Portugal (1982)
Cebu, Philippines (1996)
Cheju Province, South Korea (1986)
Ehime, Japan (2003)
Fukuoka, Japan (1981)
Guangdong, China (1985)
Hainan, China (1992)
Hiroshima, Japan (1997)
Ilocos Norte, Philippines (2005)
Ilocos Sur, Philippines (1985)
Okinawa, Japan (1985)
Pangasinan, Philippines (2002)
Taiwan, Republic of China (1993)
Tianjin, China (2002)

Other Sister States:

Canary Islands, Spain

Famous people from Hawaii

The list of famous people from Hawaii is a non-comprehensive list of persons who have achieved fame that presently or at one time claimed Hawaii as their home. Separate registers of members of the Hawaiian royal family and Hawaii politicians are also available.

Father Damien (January 3, 1840 – April 15, 1889) Beatified towards sainthood by Pope John Paul II	Mother Marianne Cope (January 23, 1838 – August 9, 1918) Beatified towards sainthood by Pope Benedict XVI	Hiram Fong (October 15, 1906 – August 18, 2004) First Chinese American and Asian American elected United States Senator	General Eric Shinseki (born November 28, 1942)
Duke Kahanamoku (August 24, 1890 – January 22, 1968) Gold-medal winning Olympic athlete who popularized surfing	Israel Kamakawiwoʻole\| Hollan Hendrix (stage name) (May 20, 1959 – June 26, 1997) "Braddah IZ" was a Hawaiian musician and entertainer	Jack Johnson (born May 18, 1975) Hawaii-born musician, filmmaker, and surfer

Photo gallery

Maui, Haleakalā National Park	Big Island, View from Mauna Kea Volcano	Big Island, Volcanoes National Park	Kauaʻi, Nā Pali Coast
Big Island, Punaluu Beach Park	Maui, Kapalua bay	Maui, Hookipa Beach	Oʻahu, Sandy Beach
Big Island, Hapuna Beach	Haleakalā	Nā Pali Coast	Satellite Image

References

^ ^a ^b Elevations and Distances in the United States. U.S Geological Survey (29 April 2005). Retrieved on November 3, 2006.
^ What constitutes the United States, what are the official definitions?. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved on 2007-07-03.
^ http://hypertextbook.com/facts/2001/BeataUnke.shtml
^ Youngest lava flows on East Maui probably older than A.D. 1790. United States Geological Survey (September 9, 1999). Retrieved on 1999-10-04.
^ [1]
^ Joshua Reichert and Theodore Roosevelt IV. Treasure Islands. Retrieved on June 15, 2006.
^ Kuykendall, "The Hawaiian Kingdom Volume I: Foundation and Transformation", p18 "Cook's plan was to get the king on board the Resolution and keep him there until the stolen boat was returned - a plan that had been effective under similar circumstances in the south Pacific"
^ Kamehameha I of Hawaii Biography
^ U.S. Navy History site
^ Morgan Report p.894
^ Hawaiian Sovereignty:Do the facts matter? by Thurston Twigg-Smith
^ Hawaii Divided Against Itself Cannot Stand by Bruce Fein
^ 1897 Hawaii Annexation Treaty
^ http://www.moolelo.com/human-rights.html
^ http://hawaii-nation.org/pleb.html
^ http://www.hawaiireporter.com/story.aspx?e1cfcf02-afc2-4aa8-b0cb-3514c3b81da4
^ http://www.census.gov/geo/www/cenpop/statecenters.txt
^ New Jersey Quickfacts
^ Hawaii Quickfacts
^ Top 12 states in population density
^ Average life expectancy at birth by state
^ Hawaii QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau. U.S. Census Bureau (31 August 2007). Retrieved on September 15, 2007.
^ http://www.mla.org/map_data_results&state_id=15&mode=state_tops
^ [2]
^ [3]
^ Pollex - a reconstruction of the Proto-Polynesian lexicon, Biggs and Clark, 1994. The asterisk preceding the word signifies that it is a reconstructed word form.

http://www.hawaii-nation.org/index.html

External links

Hawaii travel guide from Wikitravel
Hawaii Internet Portal
Hawaii's Official Tourism Site
Official state homepage
Hawaii State Fact Sheet from the U.S. Department of Agriculture
USGS real-time, geographic, and other scientific resources of Hawaii
Satellite image of Hawaiian Islands at NASA's Earth Observatory