Paradise on earth is what vacationers have called Hawaii. A congregation of islands in the Pacific, 3200 miles from San Francisco, Hawaii is a land of spectacular beaches and a haven for water sports. There are seven islands that can be visited - Maui, Oahu, Kauai, Molokai, Lanai, Niihau and Hawaii or "The Big Island".

The Hawaii islands are said to have formed as a result of a Pacific tectonic plate moving over a volcanic hotspot situated on the ocean floor. Kauai is said to be formed first, and is considered the oldest. The difference is evident in the topography with Kauai being weather-worn with foliage-covered cliffs in stark difference to the harsh, bare mountains of the Big Island.

Hawaii, the big island is considered the youngest and is still being built. The Big Island presently sits over the volcanic hotspot and feeding the Kilauea Volcano with new land is being formed every day.

Hawaiian Facts

State Nickname = The Aloha State

State Flag = part British, part American in design

State Language = English

Time Zone = Hawaiian standard - 3 hours ahead of California Daylight Saving Time.

State Flower = Hibiscus

State Fish = Humuhumunukunukuapua'a

State Bird = Nene

State Motto = "Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono" ("The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness")

Hawaii Weather

Hawaii has only two seasons a year - summer and winter. May to October is known to be summer and November to April comprises the Hawaiian winter. Hurricanes are known to sweep the islands in summer. Winter comprises the whale season when the Humpback whales are enroute migrating from Alaska to Hawaiian.

Normal temperature all year round is around 80d F. Winter evenings tend to be a bit cooler at 60d F. The beauty of Hawaiian weather is that it never gets to hot or too cold apart form certain areas like the Volcano Village or Haleakala. Snow is evident in winters in certain areas like Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea on the Big Island.

Most tourist areas in Hawaii are on the leeward and south sides of the islands. Although winter rains are known, tourist areas never get any rain. The biggest wet vacation area is the Princeville on Kauai. Rainy nights are quite frequent here and days also see a little rain. Each of the Hawaiian island have something to offer:

Oahu (Gathering place): Famed for Honolulu, Pearl Harbor, Waikiki beach, North Shore, and Polynesian Cultural Center. High on population (about 1 million) with good development and cultural maturity, Oahu offers sights, attractions, and cultural shows. Oahu was the first island developed to be a tourism island in Hawaii. Oahu has about 5 million visitors and offers a wide choice of attractions like water sports, nature, exhibits and restaurants.

Kauai (Garden Isle): Kauai boasts of Lihue, Waimea canyon, Na Pali coast and the Hanalei Bay. Kauai is very beautiful with green valleys and rugged, unspoiled Na Pali coastline. About 70,000 people live on Kauai and about 1 million visit each year. Kauai's beaches and water-sports are supported with good conveniences and friendliness.

Maui (Valley Isle): Maui attracts tourists because of its Kahalui, Lahaina, Haleakala (a volcanic crater), the road to Hana and Hana itself. Maui is well known for whale watching and beaches. Inhabited by about 100,000 people and visitors topping 2 million, Maui is second only to Oahu in tourist attraction. It is very popular with college students - partying is not ruled out - other attractions are its great beaches and spectacular views. Beauty and conveniences of the cities blend beautifully at Maui.

Hawaii (Big Island): Famed for Kona, Hilo, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Kilauea Volcano (active), Mauna Kea (winter snow) and South Point, the island of Hawaii is also known for its black sand beaches. With over 140,000 inhabitants and over a million visitors annually, Hawaii has 11 different climates and three (black, green and white) different colored sandy beaches.

Molokai (Friendly Isle): With Halawa beach park, Kauanakakai and Molokai ranch, Molokai is best known for Kalaupapa and Father Damien's contribution to it. With about 7000 inhabitants and 80,000 annual visitors, Molokai is small, quiet and peaceful island. With empty, long and sandy beaches, Molokai is a good choice to get away from the world.

Lanai (Private Isle): Shipwreck beach, Manele Bay and Garden of the Gods comprise Lanai's tourist attractions. With 3000 inhabitants and 100,000 visitors Lanai has only two Luxury Hotels to stay in. One of them is on the ocean-front and the other on a mountain top. Bill Gates of Microsoft had rented the whole island for his wedding in 1994.

Niihau (Forbidden Isle): Privately owned with a population of 300. Entry is by invitation only.

Hawaii is always alive with the spirit of Aloha and deeply engrossed in the Polynesian culture. Recommended in "an island a week" for a full and complete relaxing holiday.