The Hawaiian Islands are the most isolated inhabited island chain in the world, located 2,390 miles southwest
of California. The flight time is approximately five hours from the West Coast, nine hours from Chicago, and
eleven hours from New York. It surprises many people
to learn that the Hawaiian Islands are in the northern hemisphere. However, they are closer to the equator than to any other land mass. Each island was formed
by a mountainous volcano or group of volcanoes that expelled lava to create land which finally rose above
the ocean surface. Much of the tropical flora growing
here is found only in the Hawaiian Islands. It is a little warmer in the summer and a little cooler in winter but temperatures range from 60°F to 90°F year-round. Any time is a good time to visit Hawaii.

Interesting facts about Hawaii

  State nickname: The Aloha State
  State song: Hawaii Ponoi written in 1874 by King David
      Kalakaua
  State flower: Yellow Hibiscus
  State bird: Nene (Hawaiian goose)
  State fish: The reef Triggerfish
  State mammal: The humpback whale
  State tree: The kukui also known as the candlenut tree
  State gem : Black coral
  State team sport: Outrigger canoe paddling
  State motto: Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono (The life of
      the land is perpetuated in righteousness)

Each island is different from the others. Each has its own personality, and certain islands will be more appealing to you than others. For in-depth coverage of an island, click on the island on the map below and begin your Hawaiian adventure.

Do You Know?

The word GEM is derived from the Latin for
"bud" ~ precious stones were believed to
grow and ripen like fruit.