As one of the most beautiful places on earth, the 137 islands, islets and shoals that make up the Hawaiian Island chain sit at the northern tip of the Polynesian Triangle, an expanse of ocean roughly the size of Europe and North America combined. However, most people know Hawaii only by six of these islands: Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Maui, and the Big Island Honolulu. Every year, millions of people come to this beautiful resort to visit and enjoy their vacation. It is generally believed Hawaii’s first permanent inhabitants sailed in voyaging canoes from the southern hemisphere islands of the Marquesas, between 300 and 800 A.D. Later waves of settlers arrived by the 12th century, this time from Tahiti. Hawaii is a land of many contrasts. Urban Honolulu, the state capital, is a cosmopolitan metropolis with a population of more than 370,000; the entire island of Molokai, a scant 50 miles away, has only 7,400 residents.

　　State Flag

　　The state flag has eight stripes representing the Hawaiian archipelago’s major islands: Nihau, Kauai, Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe and the Big Island of Hawaii. The colors are red, white and blue. From top to bottom on the flag the stripes are, in order, white, red, blue, white, red, blue, white, red. The upper left corner closely resembles the Union Jack of Great Britain. Designed for King Kamehameha I in the early 1800’s, the flag’s resemblance to the Union Jack symbolizes King Kamehameha’s friendship with the British.

　　State Motto

　　Ua mau ke ea o ka ‘aina i ka pono (The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness). King Kamehameha III is said to have uttered these words on July 31, 1843, when a British admiral once more raised the Hawaiian flag after a brief usurpation of authority.

　　Hawaii’s Attractions

　　The Big Island (Honolulu)

　　You can try dancing the hula and taking part in an authentic luau (feast). Head upcountry and discover the uniquely blended Hawaiian, Portuguese, and Mexican cultures — still alive and well among Hawaiian paniolo (cowboys) on the island’s giant ranches. Or perhaps you can visit historical Kealakekua Bay where Captain James Cook dramatically lost his life in 1779. Finally, don’t miss Puukohola Heiau. This sacred spot was built in 1790 by King Kamehameha as an offering to the gods, where he asked for success in his campaign to unite the Hawaiian Islands.

　　Maui

　　From the timeless grandeur of Haleakala Crater to the historic charm of 19th Century Lahaina, Maui offers a wealth of historic and cultural attractions that will captivate your imagination and reveal the extraordinary traditions of this magical isle. The town of Lahaina is a National Historic District, with timeless charm and a variety of important historic sites that take one back to the days when the town served as an important whaling port. No matter where you travel on Maui you are sure to find points of historic and cultural significance.

　　Lanai

　　A place of deep cultural significance, Lanai boasts many historical sites, old fishing villages, and unique topographical features like the boulder-strewn Keahikawelo. In the center of the island, Lanai City features thoroughly and lovingly restored landmarks, including the lovely Lanai Playhouse and Theater and the charming Hotel Lanai, both dating from the 1920’s. A prehistoric mystery lingers in Luahiwa, where visitors will find 34 boulders featuring intriguing petroglyphs carved by ancient Hawaiians.

　　Molokai

　　Molokai residents show a deep regard for tradition and take great care to preserve the island’s unique cultural heritage. Here, it often seems as if the past and the present exist simultaneously. One of the island’s most popular cultural attractions is the Kalokoeli Fishpond, where ancient Hawaiians once practiced a remarkably sophisticated form of aquaculture. As many as 60 of these fish ponds once operated along the southern shore, and most of them were constructed at least 700 years ago. Another must-see is the Iliiliopae Heiau, one of the largest ancient temple platforms in all of Hawaii. Set deep within a thriving forest, this historic site offers a palpable sense of wonder and spirituality.

　　Oahu

　　Oahu’s rich cultural heritage may be something you seek out, but you’ll most certainly find it without even trying. There are several ways to soak up Oahu’s colorful history. Museums, temples, cultural centers and festivals just to name a few. Historical artifacts can be found at both the Bishop Museum and Iolani Palace, home to the last reining monarch, Queen Liliuokalani. Take in turn-of-the-century architecture with a stroll through Chinatown, or ride the trolley through Waikiki and you’ll see historical hotels such as the Sheraton Moana Surfrider and the Royal Hawaiian Hotel made famous in the early 1900’s.

　　Kauai

　　Archaeologists speculate that the first “tourists” to Hawaii landed on Kauai perhaps as early as 500 A.D. The gentle Pacific Ocean trade winds that brought settlers from Marquesas, Tahiti, Samoa and other South Pacific islands were the same that eventually led Captain James Cook to make his first landing in Hawaii on the shores of Waimea, Kauai in 1778. Educational displays of the artifacts and contemporary crafts of the Native Hawaiians can be found at the Kauai Museum. Discover ancient sacred sites on the banks of rivers, near fishponds, in parks or set among the cliffs. Attend a luau (feast) at one of the resorts to see the dances and hear legends of Kauai.

　　Other places where Kauai’s culture and beauty pervade are botanical and cultural gardens, the Kokee Natural History Museum, the Waioli Mission, and the charming historical towns of Hanalei, Hanapepe and Lihue.

　　Hawaii Weather

　　Weather on all of the Hawaiian Islands is very consistent, with only minor changes in temperature throughout the year. This is due to year-round warm sea surface temperatures, which keep the overlying atmosphere warm as well. In practical terms, there are only 2 seasons: the summer months (called Kau in Hawaiian) that extend from May to October and the winter months (Ho’oilo) that run from November to April. The average daytime summer temperature at sea level is 85 degrees F. (29.4 C) while the average daytime winter temperature is 78 degrees (25.6 C). Temperatures at night are approximately 10 degrees F. lower.

　　Activities

　　Hiking through Hawaii’s lush rainforests... Lounging on a secluded beach... Cruising down a volcano on a mountain bike at top speed... These are just a few of the myriad of activities you can do while in Hawaii — The Islands of Aloha. From catching a sunset sail on a balmy, tropical evening to hitting the ski slopes at Mauna Kea crater, Hawaii offers activities to please each individual. You can snorkel, hike, explore and catch an afternoon luau (feast) all in one day. The choice is yours. All you have to do is figure out what you want to do while on vacation in Hawaii. Then again, you may want to do nothing at all.

　　The Language

　　Although more than 100 different languages are spoken in Hawaii, the state’s two official languages are Hawaiian and English. The melodious Hawaiian language is a Polynesian dialect and has only 12 letters in its alphabet: vowels a, e, i, o, u and consonants h, k, l, m, n, p and w. Some of the most popular words you’ll hear in Hawaii are:

　　Aloha love, hello, goodbye

　　Mahalothank you

　　Keikichild

　　Kaneman

　　Wahinewoman

　　Kama’ainaHawaii resident

　　Puaflower

　　Maunamountain

　　Words of Caution

　　Many visitors are drawn to the natural beauty found in higher elevations such as Kokee on Kauai, or Haleakala on Maui, or Kilauea on the Big Island. To prepare for the trip, bring long pants and several layers of cool weather clothing because the temperature in the higher locations drops 3.5 degrees for every 1,000 feet above sea level that you climb. For example, the summit of Haleakala at an elevation of 10,023 feet can be as much as 30 degrees F. cooler than resort areas on the coast.

　　These peaks rise through the earth’s atmosphere so there is less protection from the sun’s powerful burning rays. This burning effect can be easily masked by the cool temperatures on the mountain, so be sure to use sun block liberally, and bring a hat and sunglasses.