\Facts about the islands
ISLAND OF OAHU
Honolulu is the largest city in the world -- at least it has the longest borders. According to the state constitution any island (or islet) not named as belonging to a county belongs to Honolulu. This makes all islands within the Hawaiian Archipelago, that stretch to Midway Island (1,500 miles northwest of Hawaii) part of Honolulu. Honolulu is about 1,500 miles long or more distance than halfway across the 48 contiguous states.
Wai Golf Course is Hawaii's first municipal course.
Honolulu is the nation's 11th largest metropolitan area.
More than 100 world-renowned beaches ring Honolulu.
Iolani Palace is the only royal palace in the United States.
The world's largest wind generator is on the island of Oahu. The windmill has two blades 400 feet long on the top of a tower twenty stories high.
The island of Oahu draws more visitors than any other to Hawaii. One-third of the state's best surfing beaches are on Oahu.
ISLAND OF MAUI
The island is home to many famous attractions including Haleakala Crater, the old whaling town of Lahaina, the road to Hana,
and Kaanapali Beach.
Haleakala Crater (Ha-lay-ah-ja-lah), is the world's largest dormant volcano.
ISLAND OF MOLOKAI
Molokai is known as the most Hawaiian Isle.
Molokai's east end is a tropical rain forest and part of the island receives 240 inches of rainfall a year.
Molokai Ranch Wildlife Park is home to rare African and Indian animals.
Kalaaupapa was once a leper colony administered by Father Damien.
The island contains the world's highest sea cliffs, Hawaii's longest waterfall, and the largest white sand beach in the state.
ISLAND OF LANAI
The island of Lanai is considered Hawaii's most secluded.
The island was once the home of the world's largest pineapple plantations.
Hulope Bay is a marine preserve and considered one of the best diving spots in the world.
ISLAND OF KAHOOLAWE
Once used as a target by the U.S. Navy and Air Force the services are cleaning up unexploded shells. No one is allowed to go
ashore without permission. The island consists of an uninhabited area of 45 square miles.
THE BIG ISLAND OF HAWAII
The Big Island is Hawaii's largest at 4,038 square miles. It is twice the size of all other Hawaiian Islands combined.
The largest contiguous ranch, in the United States, is in Hawaii. The Parker Ranch near Kamuela has about 480,000 acres of land.
At 800,000 years the Big Island is the youngest of the island chain. However, it was the first island discovered by
voyaging Polynesians.
Kilauea volcano is the world's most active.
Ka Lae is the southernmost point in the United States. It is located at 18:54:49 N 155:41:00 W. There is a constant 27 knots
per hour wind blowing east to west, 24 hours per day and 365 days per year.
Two of the tallest mountains in the Pacific - Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa - dominate the center of the island. Most of the
world's macadamia nuts are grown on the island.
Kilauea Iki is the world's most active and largest volcano.
Mauna Kea is the tallest mountain in the world (measured from its base at the ocean floor).
The island houses the world's biggest telescope and more scientific observatories in one place than anywhere else in the world.
The island is the worldwide leader in harvesting macadamia nuts and orchids.
ISLAND OF NIIHAU
A privately owned island, with livestock raising as its principal industry. There is highly limited access by general public
through helicopter landings at uninhabited sites. Legend says Niihau was the original home of the goddess Pele. The island has
a population of 230, and is 69 square miles.
ISLAND OF KAUAI
The fourth largest of the Hawaiian Islands.
The Waialua River is one of five navigable river in Hawaii. It drains off Waialeale Mountain, which averages 488 inches of rain per
year and is considered the wettest spot on earth.
The Waimea, the Hanape'pe, the Lumahai and the Hanalei River are almost as big and quite navigable. The Hanalei River was
dedicated a "national treasure" recently and is under government protection from use as a "place of business".