Hawaii, constituent state of the United States of America. Hawaii (Hawaiian: Hawai‘i) became the 50th U.S. state on August 21, 1959. Hawaii is a group of volcanic islands in the central Pacific Ocean. The islands lie 2,397 miles (3,857 km) from San Francisco, California, to the east and 5,293 miles (8,516 km) from Manila, in the Philippines, to the west. The capital is Honolulu, located on the island of Oahu.
Hawaii was characterized by Mark Twain as “the loveliest fleet of islands that lies anchored in any ocean.” The name is thought to derive from Hawaiki, the former name of Raiatea, the ancestral home of Polynesians.
Hawaii is economically vigorous, with diversified agriculture and manufacturing. Hawaiian activities of national and international importance include research and development in oceanography, geophysics, astronomy, satellite communications, and biomedicine. Often called the Crossroads of the Pacific, the state is strategically important to the global defense system of the United States and serves as a transportation hub of the Pacific basin. Finally, Hawaii is a cultural center and a major tourist mecca.
Capital: Honolulu, HI
Population: 1,455,271 (2020)
Official Website: https://portal.ehawaii.gov/
Tourism website: https://www.gohawaii.com/
Tourist Attractions for Hawaii:
Hawaii’s tropical climate and laid-back Pacific Island atmosphere are just part of what makes the state so special. Occupying the tops of massive volcanic mountaintops jutting from the sea, these islands have a diverse and beautiful landscape that varies from the stark lunar surface of the Kilauea volcano to lush green forests filled with exotic flowers.
Waterfalls stream down the mountain sides like tears on the dramatic Na Pali coast, while ancient rivers have carved deep into the rock of Kauai to create the Waimea Canyon. The Big Island is home to an active volcano, and Oahu is home to Pearl Harbor and its rich history.
Surrounding them all, the mighty Pacific is home to a plethora of ocean life, providing endless opportunities to snorkel, scuba dive, surf, or simply go for a swim after sunbathing. Perhaps the most special part of the islands, however, are its people, whose welcoming attitude make you truly feel like you are in paradise.
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- Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head State Monument
- Pearl Harbor and USS Arizona Memorial
- Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve
- Volcanoes National Park
- Haleakala National Park
- Waimea Canyon State Park
- Na Pali Coast State Wilderness Park
- Kona Coffee Living History Farm
- Hana Road
- Waipio Valley Lookout
- Hamakua Heritage Corridor
- Mauna Kea
- Polynesian Cultural Center