Pacific Island Paradises

– 55 – www.paradises.com — H a w a i i — Located more than 5178 kilometres off the west coast of America, this tropical paradise of turquoise bays, white sandy beaches, lush tropical vegetation and balmy sunshine all year round, is renowned as one of the world's most famous vacation playgrounds. Most of the 132 islands in this beautiful archipelago are no more than tiny atolls, the summits of a chain of submarine volcanoes that stretches almost to Japan. Hawaii is full of contrasts and extremes and it has 11 of the world's 13 climatic zones. History The first inhabitants of Hawaii were Polynesians who arrived between the fourth and fifth century with plants and animals. Captain James Cook was the first European. He landed in 1778 to find a structured society with chiefs ruling each island. In 1920, Hawaii became a major tourist destination with the first non-stop flight from the US mainland. In 1959 it became an American state and Honolulu is now the 11th largest city in the USA. Capital and major centres Tourism is restricted to six of the eight most southerly islands. These are Oahu, with the city of Honolulu, the capital of Hawaii; Maui, the second largest island with the world's largest dormant volcano; Kauai which is known for its magnificent scenery and vegetation; Hawaii or the Big Island where Captain Cook is buried, and the ancestral home of Hawaiian royalty; and Molokai and Lanai, located off the coast of Maui. The people There are 1.4 million people of mixed races living in the Hawaiian archipelago. Hawaii's religions are as diverse as its cultural heritage. The official languages are Hawaiian and English. The sights On Oahu, see Pearl Harbor and visit famous Waikiki Beach. Hire a car or jump on the local bus to explore the beautiful beaches on the famous North Shore. On Maui the main attraction is Haleakala, a dormant volcano reaching approximately 3000 metres. The best time to visit Haleakala is at sunrise. A drive along the stunning Hana highway is also a must while on Maui. On Hawaii's Big Island, there is Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Parker Ranch, which is the third largest working cattle ranch in the US. There's also a space centre named after Hawaii's first astronaut, Ellison S. Onizuka. Kauai has Waimea Canyon and a number of magnificent botanical gardens. A sailing trip or helicopter ride along the breathtaking Napali coast is also highly recommended. Ride a mule down Molokais cliff trail to Kalaupapa. Lanais best dive spot, Cathedrals, has dramatic coral formations creating pinnacles and caverns rising from a depth of 21 metres to the surface. Honolulu KAUA'I NI'IHAU Lihue O'AHU MOLOKA'I LANA'I MAUI KAHO'OLAWE HAWAI'I Lahaina Hilo Waimea Kailua Kona Mauna Kea Mauna Lea Kohala Coast Hanalei Poipu Beach Princeville Kapaa Pearl Harbor Waikiki Beach Sunset Beach Laie Haleiwa Kahala Kaneohe Kaunakakai Hana Kahului Wailea Kihea Ka'anapali Beach H A W A I I

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