THE ISLANDS OF HAWAII

THE STATE OF HAWAII...consists of eight major 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 of Hawaii makes up over 4000 of the 6000 square miles encompassing the eight major 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.
• ISLAND OF NIIHAU is a privately owned island, with livestock raising its principal industry.  There is highly limited access by general public through helicopter landings at uninhabited sites. Legend says Niihau was the original home of the goddess Pele. The island has a population of 230, and is 69 square miles.
• ISLAND OF KAUAI is the fourth largest of the Hawaiian Islands. The Waialua River is one of five navigable rivers in Hawaii. It drains off Waialeale Mountain, which averages 488 inches of rain per year and is considered the wettest spot on earth, yikes!
• ISLAND OF OAHU is where you will find the famous city of Honolulu. Honolulu is the largest city in the world -- at least it has the longest borders. According to the state constitution any island (or islet) not named as belonging to a county belongs to Honolulu. This makes all islands within the Hawaiian Archipelago, that stretch to Midway Island (1,500 miles northwest of Hawaii) part of Honolulu. Honolulu is about 1,500 miles long or more distance than halfway across the 48 contiguous states.  This where Oahu beats the Big Island. Oahu offers much cultural affairs, mix of various ethic foods, Polynesian shows, four and five star hotels, long beaches, and many other popular tourist attractions. More facts about the Island of Oahu...
Honolulu is the nation's 11th largest metropolitan area. 
More than 100 world-renowned beaches around Honolulu. 
Iolani Palace is the only royal palace found in the United States. The world's largest wind generator is located on the island of Oahu. The windmill has two blades 400 feet long on the top of a tower twenty stories high.
• The island of Oahu attracts more visitors than any other to Hawaii Island. One-third of the state's best surfing beaches are on Oahu primarily on the North and East Shore.
• ISLAND OF MAUI is the home to many famous attractions including Haleakala Crater, the old whaling town of Lahaina, the road to Hana, and Kaanapali Beach. Haleakala Crater (Ha-lay-ah-ja-lah) is the world's largest dormant volcano.
• Island OF MOLOKAI is known as the most Hawaiian Isle. Molokai's east end is a tropical rain forest and part of the island receives 240 inches of rainfall per year. Molokai Ranch Wildlife Park is home to rare African and Indian animals. Kalaaupapa was once a leper colony administered by Father Damien. The island contains the world's highest sea cliffs, Hawaii's longest waterfall, and the largest white sand beach in the state.
• ISLAND OF LANAI is considered Hawaii's most secluded and private. The island was once the home of the world's largest pineapple plantations, now home to very expensive homes. Hulope Bay is a marine preserve and considered one of the best diving spots in the world.
• ISLAND OF KAHOOLAWE was once used as a target by the U.S. Navy and Air Force the services are cleaning up unexploded shells. No one is allowed to go ashore without permission. The island consists of an uninhabited area of 45 square miles.

 

LAST BUT NOT LEAST.... Our Big Island of Hawaii.

 

• The Big Island is Hawaii's largest Island at 4,038 square miles. It is twice the size of all other Hawaiian Islands combined.
• Parker Ranch is the largest contiguous ranch, in the United States, is on the Island of Hawaii. The Parker Ranch near the town of Kamuela has about 480,000 acres of land. 
 Home of the world famous Paniolo. That's Hawaiian for Cowboy. Great rodeos, ranches, the arts, culture, fine restaurants and the Islands newest hospital. Private education. Parker School became an independent day school to serve the area's high school students. Parker School is fully accredited in grades K-12 by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the Hawai'i Association of Independent Schools (HAIS).
• At 800,000 years old; the Big Island is the youngest of the island chain. However, it was the first island discovered by voyaging Polynesians.
• The Big Island is the only Island still growing. 
 The seven volcanoes comprising the island of Hawaii and its submarine base are, in order of growth, Mahukona, Kohala, Mauna Kea, Hualalai, Mauna Loa, Kilauea, and Loihi. 
Hawaii's volcanoes rise an average of 4,572 meters (15,000 ft) to reach sea level from their base. The largest and most famous, Mauna Loa built itself up to a height of 4,169 meters (13,678 ft). As a "shield volcano", they are built by accumulated lava flows, growing no more than 3 meters (10 ft) at a time to form a broad and gently sloping shape. Hawaiian volcanoes all follow a specific pattern of eruption, building, and erosion. Hawaiian islands undergo a systematic pattern of submarine and subaerial growth that is followed by erosion. An island's stage of development reflects its distance from the hotspot. Kilauea volcano is the world's most active.

 

 

 

"I can crack one of those, no problemo"!

 

• The U.S. is the largest consumer of these nuts (51%) with Japan following at 15%. Macadamia nuts are high in monounsaturated fatty acid ("good" fat) and have been demonstrated to help reduce overall cholesterol levels. Nuts are high in minerals and protein and are part of a healthy diet. Hawaii growers are the world leaders in cultivation techniques.
• Mauna Kea is home to the world's biggest telescope and more scientific observatories in one place than anywhere else in the world. 
 Mauna Kea was recently chosen as the site for what will become the world's largest telescope - a mega-feat of engineering that will cost $1.2 billion, create as many as 440 construction and other jobs and seal the Big Island summit's standing as the premier spot on the planet to study the mysteries of space.

 

Prince Properties Inc. Vacations "Purveyors of Fine Island Homes & Estates"™
75-169 Hualalai Rd Suite 300A • Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 • office: 808-930-0007