The Hawaiian Islands are an ideal holiday destination and popular with snowbirds seeking an escape from colder climes as well as nature lovers and surfers. The 132 islands constitute the 50th state of the USA and are located 3,700 km (2,300 mi) from the mainland in the northern Pacific Ocean. The archipelago offers balmy and warm temperatures year round with beautiful beaches, volcanoes, waterfalls and tropical rainforests to explore.
The Hawaiian Islands are often called "the paradise of the Pacific" because of their outstanding natural beauty. Together they have a total area of 16,758 sq km (6,470 sq mi). Hawaii, Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Lanai and Molokai are the main islands in the chain. Each of the islands is unique. The people and culture draw influence from the Polynesians, Tahitians, American military personnel, Chinese, Japanese and Filipinos who have over the years lived and worked on the islands.
The Big Island (Hawaii) is the largest of the islands but has a relatively small population. Quieter than some of the other large islands it offers a rural community feel with sleepy towns and few resorts. Its varied micro-climates mean that the island has arid deserts, tropical gardens, verdant rain forests and snow-capped mountains. The beaches are made up of black sand from the active Kilauea volcano. The Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is located on the Big Island and provides an opportunity get up close and personal with the volcanoes responsible for the creation of this island chain.
The most economically important island, Oahu, is home to three quarters of Hawaii’s population and the state capital, Honolulu. This island attracts the most visitors and has an abundance of sites to see such as Dead Head Crater and Pearl Harbour. The beaches, including the world-famous Waikiki Beach, are superb and those on the north shore are very popular with surfers.
Maui is the second largest island and Oahu’s fastest growing economic rival. Roughly a third of all visitors to the islands stay on Maui. The most popular resorts are around Kaanapali and Kihei. There are activities galore with cycling, whale-watching, diving, sailing and wind-surfing opportunities.
Kauai is nicknamed the Garden Isle and boasts lush tropical greenery, great walking trails and sandy beaches. In the centre of the island is the extinct volcano Mount Waialeale, the world’s wettest spot. On the north shore, the spectacular Na Pali coast was used in the filming of Jurassic Park and South Pacific.
The Pineapple Island, as Lanai is known, is only 364 sq km (140 sq mi) in size but offers two of the world’s best golf courses. The Challenge at Manele was designed by Jack Nicklaus and The Experience at Koele was designed by Greg Norman.
For tranquillity and a slower pace of life Molokai is an excellent location. There is an absence of high-rise development, shopping malls and traffic lights. Instead “the friendly isle” boasts pristine white sand beaches and a closely-knit community.
Climate
The tropical climate on the islands means that daytime coastal temperatures are usually in the 20-30°C range throughout the year. The hottest period is from June to October. Rainfall is heaviest between December and March. Northeasterly trade winds prevail for most of the year meaning that the windward areas on the north east coast of the islands tend to be wetter than the sunnier and drier southwest coasts. The summer is the perfect time for windsurfers and the winter provides the biggest waves for surfers. Snow occasionally falls in winter on the highest peaks.
Getting There
From the UK, there are regular scheduled flights with many US and European carriers. Most fly to Honolulu International Airport on the island of Oahu and journey times are usually 20-35 hours depending on stopovers. If travelling directly from the West Coast of the USA, it takes just under six hours and it’s also possible to fly directly from there to Maui, the Big Island and Kaui. Cruise ships often come into port around the Hawaiian Islands, including the QE2 on her annual round-the-world voyage.
Inter-island transport is plentiful and there are regular flights and ferry services between the main islands. Airlines include Air Molokai, Aloha Airlines, Go!, Hawaiian Airlines and Island Air. Flight times are less than one hour. The new Hawaii Superferry service carrying passengers and vehicles offers daily services between Oahu and Maui and between Oahu and Kauai six days a week. Journey times are between three and four hours. A further service to the Big Island is due to commence in 2009. |
