The Hawaii Islands-A younger volcanic hotspot near Pacific Plate

Hawaii USA

Hawaii is a state in the Western United States, about 3,200 km from the U.S. mainland in the Pacific Ocean. It is the only U.S. state outside North America, the only state that is an archipelago, and the only state in the tropics. Hawaii comprises nearly the entire Hawaiian archipelago, 137 volcanic islands spanning 2,400 km that are physiographically part of the Polynesian subregion of Oceania. The island of Hawaii is the youngest and largest island in Hawaii. Covering a land area of 16,636.5 sq. km. It is also the world’s largest island chain. The Hawaiian Islands are an archipelago of eight major islands, several atolls, and numerous smaller islets.

History and Geography

Formerly the group was known to Europeans and Americans as the Sandwich Islands. This Name is suggested by James Cook, a sailor, and historian. Cook came across the islands by chance when crossing the Pacific Ocean on his Third Voyage in 1778, on board HMS Resolution,  he was later killed on the islands on a return visit. This name of the Island dating from the 1840s is derived from the name of the largest island, Hawaiʻi Island. Hawaii sits on the Pacific Plate and is part of the Polynesia subregion of Oceania. It is geographically not connected to North America. Hawaii is the exposed peaks of a great undersea mountain range known as the Hawaiian-Emperor seamount chain, formed by volcanic activity over a hotspot in the Earth’s mantle. The islands are about 3,000 km from the nearest continent. Hawaii Map-

Geology Hawaii Islands

The Hawaii chain of islands developed as the Pacific Plate slowly moved northwestward over a hotspot in the Earth’s mantle at a rate of approximately 51 km per million years. The southeast island is volcanically active, whereas the northwest end of the archipelago is older and typically smaller, due to long erosion. The age of the archipelago is estimated that the northwesternmost island, Kure Atoll, is the oldest at approximately 28 million years while the southeasternmost island, Hawaii, is approximately 0.4 million years old. The only active volcanism in the last 200 years has been on the southeastern island.

The Kīlauea had been erupting nearly continuously since 1983 and stopped in 2018. Almost all of the magma of Hawaiian volcanoes are composed almost entirely of this Basaltic igneous rock.  Hawaii island is the biggest and youngest island chain. Mauna Loa takes up over half of the Big Island and is the largest shield volcano on Earth. The measurement from sea level to summit is more than 4 km. Hawaii weather- The Islands enjoy a year-round tropical climate with summer temperatures around 31°C during the daytime and 24°C during the nighttime; in winter, the daytime temperature remains around 28°C and the nighttime temperature around 18°C.

The Hawaii Islands

The Hawaiian Islands are an archipelago that comprises 8 principal islands, several small islets, and atolls. Some famous islands are-

Hawaii Islands

Hawaii named the Big Island, covers a land area of 10,432.5 sq. km and is the largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago. It is also the largest island in the United States. The island of Hawai’i has a population of 185,079 residents as per recent data. The island of Hawai’i was created from the eruption of five separate shield volcanoes namely Kohala, Mauna Kea, Hualalai, Mauna Loa, and Kilauea. With a maximum elevation of 4,207.3m, the dormant volcano of Mauna Kea is the highest point in the state of Hawaii.

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Maui Island

Maui island named Valley Isle covers a land area of 1,883.4 sq. km and is the second-largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago. The island of Maui has a population of 144,444 residents as per recent data. The island is known for its world-famous beaches and views of humpback whales. The island is also home to a large rainforest that is located on the northeastern flanks of the East Maui Volcano.

Honolulu Hawaii

Honolulu is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Hawaii, which is in the Pacific Ocean. Honolulu is Hawaii’s main gateway to the world, a major hub for business, finance, hospitality, and military defense in states as well as Oceania. The city is characterized by a mix of Asian, Western, and Pacific cultures, reflected in its diverse cuisine, and traditions.

Molokai Island

The Island named the Friendly Isle covers an area of 673.40 sq. km and is the fifth-largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago. The island is located to the southeast of Oahu Island across the 40km wide Kaiwi Channel. Molokai Island contains some of the world’s tallest sea cliffs and the longest fringing reef in the US. The largest industry in Molokai Island is the production of Monsanto and Mycogen seeds including GMO seeds.

Oahu Hawaii

The Island named the Gathering Place, covers a land area of 1,545.4 sq. km and is the third-largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago. Oahu Island has a population of 974,563 residents as per recent data. Honolulu is situated on the southeastern coast of Oahu Island. The windward side is known for some of the world’s most beautiful beaches. Lanikai Beach has been consistently ranked among the world’s best beaches.  The island is composed of two separate shield volcanoes- The Waiʻanae and Koʻolau Ranges.

Kauai Hawaii

Kauai named Garden Isle covers an area of 1,456.4 sq. km and is the fourth largest and the second oldest island in the Hawaiian archipelago. The island is located to the northwest of Oahu Island about 117km across the Kauai Channel. The Island consists of mountains, rainforests, waterfalls, river valleys, and sugarcane farms. Tourism is the largest industry in Kauai.

Things to do on Hawaii Islands

The Hawaiian Islands itinerary makes the Hawaiian Islands truly special. It has stunning natural beauty and vibrant culture that admires the people. That relationship between people and place grows with the land, the ocean, the wildlife, and the forest.

Each island in Hawaii has a unique feature and offers visitors different types of experiences. Explore the islands by the type of experience you’d like to have whether it’s heart-pounding adventures, total relaxation, or something else.

The islands are as delicious as the variety of cuisines that make Hawaiʻi a foodie wonderland. The islands include taro, sweet potato, banana, sugarcane, and breadfruit. The ocean provided a variety of fish, the original cuisine of the islands.

How to Reach Hawaii Islands

The best way to get from one island of Hawaii to another is to fly. There are six major islands of Hawaii connected to each other. Visitors can easily find full-sized airplanes between these largest islands. Some islands are also connected with ferry and boat services.