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Mark Twain...

described Hawaii as "the loveliest fleet of islands that lies anchored in any ocean." Hawaii is the most remote island group in the world, at 2,397 miles from the nearest continent and 2,400 miles from the Marquesas Islands. There are 8 major islands, the Big Island, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Oahu, Kauai, and Ni'ihau and over 120 other small islands and atolls that stretch for 1,523 miles across the central Pacific Ocean. The islands have developed into a unique environment of tropical enticements and melting pot of cultures. Hawaii is a geological wonder, encompassing within its shores a wide variety of climates and ecosystems. All major US airlines and many international carriers fly direct to Honolulu International Airport, with several also offering direct services to the Big Island, Kauai and Maui. Once you're here, traveling between the islands is incredibly easy with every island only a short flight away. If you are looking for a more leisurely inter-island experience, there is a cruise ship that sails between the islands, offering a truly memorable way to experience the mystery of the Hawaiian Islands. It is NCL's "Pride Of America". www.ncl.com

The state of Hawaii consists of eight main islands: Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe and the Big Island of Hawaii. 
 The Hawaiian Archipelago consists of over 130 scattered "ISLANDS" stretching some 1,600 miles in length from the Kure Atoll in the north to the Island of Hawaii in the south. THE BIG ISLAND MAKES UP OVER 4000 of the 6000 square miles ENCOMPASSED IN THE MAJOR EIGHT ISLANDS.

Hawaii is the most isolated population center on the face of the earth. Hawaii is 2,390 miles from California; 3,850 miles from Japan; 4,900 miles from China; and 5,280 miles from the Philippines.

Hawaii is the only state that grows coffee. Kona coffee is the market name for a variety of coffee          cultivated on the slopes of Hualalai and Mauna Loa in the North and South Kona area of the Big Island of Hawaii. This coffee has developed a reputation that has made it one of the most expensive and sought-after coffees in the world. Only coffee from the Kona Districts can be legally described as "Kona". The Kona weather pattern of bright sunny mornings, humid rainy afternoons and mild nights creates favorable coffee growing conditions.

More than one-third of the world's commercial supply of pineapples comes from Hawaii.

There are only 12 letters in the Hawaiian alphabet. Vowels: A, E, I, O, U    Consonants: H, K, L, M, N, P, W.   The only place where the Hawaiian language is spoken on a daily basis is on the private island of Ni'ihau, located just off the coast of Kauai. Throughout all the islands you will find many Hawaiian names, words and expressions used in daily life.

From east to west Hawaii is the widest state in the United States.

The Hawaiian Islands are the projecting tops of the biggest mountain range in the world. THE TALLEST MOUNTAIN IN THE WORLD IS LOCATED ON THE BIG ISLAND! MUANA KEA. 
 Mauna Kea is 13,803 feet (4,207 m) above mean sea level but 33,476 feet (10,203 m) above its base on the floor of the Pacific Ocean. It is the world's tallest mountain by this measure, taller than Mount Everest  which is the highest mountain above sea level.

Honolulu's zenith star, (the star that rises directly above it) is Arcturus. The Hawaiians called it Hokule'a. (Hoe koo lay uh.)

Under-sea volcanoes that erupted thousands of years ago formed the islands of Hawaii. THE BIG ISLAND HAS ALL THE ACTIVE VOLCANOES.

Hawaii was the 50th state admitted to the union on August 20th, 1959.

Island flowers and colors used to represent each island.

Niihau - Pupu Shell - White

Kauai - Mokihana (Green Berry) - Purple

Oahu - Ilima -Yellow

Maui - Lokelani (Pink Cottage Rose) - Pink

Molokai - White Kukui Blossom - Green

Lanai - Kaunaoa (Yellow and Orange Air Plant) - Orange

Kahoolawe - Hinahina (Beach Heliotrope) - Grey

Big Island of Hawaii - Lehua Ohia - Red

Hawaii has its own time zone (Hawaiian Standard Time.) There is no daylight savings time.) The time runs two hours behind Pacific Standard Time and five hours behind Eastern Standard Time. 
MAKES FOR COMMUNICATION BY PHONE DIFFICULT AT TIMES!

There are four counties in Hawaii (Kauai; city and county of Honolulu; Maui; and Hawaii). Each city has a mayor and council in charge.

All subterranean minerals belong to the state. Except for state owned water, some lava stone, and minor granites and semi-precious minerals, there are few underground minerals.

The wind blows east to west in Hawaii. The highest recorded temperature is 96' F (Honolulu Airport), but temperatures over 92' F generally occur only once or twice a year. The lowest temperature (under 3000 feet altitude) is 56' F. Temperatures under 60' F may occur but rarely more than once a year. Average daytime temp. (July) is 82' F. Average daytime temperature in January is 72' F. 
 THE KONA AREA HAS THE ABSOLUTE BEST WEATHER CONSISTENTLY. THE BIG ISLAND ALSO HAS FOUR OF THE SIX WORLD CLIMATES.

Technically, there are no racial or ethnic majorities in Hawaii. Everyone is a minority. Caucasians (Haoles) constitute about 34%; Japanese-American about 32%; Filipino-American about 16% of the population and  Chinese-American about 5%. It is very difficult to determine racial identification as most of the population has some mixture of ethnicities. Many prefer to just be called Hawaiian, especially if they have been on the Islands more than one generation.