Hawaii The 50th State

The State of Hawaii is one of the United States, located on an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of Australia. The state was admitted to the Union on August 21, 1959, making it the 50th state. Its capital is Honolulu on the island of Oahu. The most recent census puts the state's population at 1,211,537.


This state encompasses nearly the entire volcanic Hawaiian Island chain, which is made up of hundreds of islands spread over 1,500 miles (2,400 km). At the southeastern end of the archipelago, the eight "main islands" are (from the northwest to southeast) Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe, Maui, and Hawaii. The last is by far the largest, and is often called the "Big Island" or "Big Isle" to avoid confusion with the state as a whole. This archipelago is physiographically and ethnologically part of the Polynesian subregion of Oceania.

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Diamond Head and Waikiki at Twilight

From the moment you arrive on this beautiful island paradise, you feel the clean warm Hawaiian air breeze caress your face, you know you are somewhere special, your body and soul feel relaxed. The people of Hawaii are very friendly and courteous and will always make you feel welcome. The ride from the airport in Oahu is very scenic and memorable. Being a state of the USA, you will also find a lot of the franchises that you find on the mainland. We picked up our rental car at the airport and soon headed towards Waikiki Beach in Honolulu. There is a lot to do in the Waikiki area, from shopping and dining, to some of the best night life on the island. The Honolulu Zoo and Diamond head are just within walking distance from most hotels.

The island of Oahu in Hawaii is both beautiful and diverse. A majority of people are drawn here to the excitement of Waikiki Beach with its colorful clubs and taste filled restaurants. The island activities around Oahu range from surfing lessons and canoeing to swimming with the dolphins. Whatever it is that your family likes to do on vacation, you'll certainly find something delightful for everyone on Oahu island.

Adventure

Those that like adventure can choose from a wide variety of water sports and land activities on Oahu. If you would like to spend your vacation in or near the water, you should try surfing, scuba diving, or windsurfing. The land activities here include hiking through rain forests, biking along the mountain ranges, even parachuting. If you happen to be staying on Waikiki Beach, there are many shops that rent outrigger canoes, surf boards, and other gear on the beach. You can even go to the Kapiolani Park for tennis, archery, and jogging.

Romance

Romantic beach vacations on Oahu Island range from renewing your wedding vows to luxurious beach service at one of the several hotels. If you've never tasted pink beer or champagne, Mai Tai Bar is the place you should check out. If you would rather stay in a more secluded area, Kahala Mandarin Oriental is 10 minutes away from Waikiki Beach and offers a long sandy beach, great service, and swimming with the dolphins - which is something everyone is sure to enjoy.

Family beach vacations

Oahu is a destination that offers many different activities for the entire family. You can choose from children's programs at Waikiki Beach hotels, hands on programs, and a variety of water sports. The Honolulu Zoo, the Waikiki Aquarium, and the Sea Life Park of Hawaii are just a few of the attractions the whole family can enjoy together. The Waikiki Beach is shallow and the water is calm almost year round, especially in the winter months when the surf stays under three feet. There are certain parts of the beach that have a life guard on duty watching over swimmers and surfers.

Culture

If you are interested in Hawaiian culture on your beach vacation, Oahu Island offers a selection of museums, historical attractions, and several exhibits. With several villages and culture exhibits, you can learn anything you desire about the culture of Hawaii.

When the time comes for your beach vacation, the island of Oahu is a dream come true. The entire family will love it here, with the island also being perfect for just a lovers vacation. If you've never had the pleasure of going to Hawaii - there is no better time than now.

Waikiki Beach, HI

Waikiki is a neighborhood of Honolulu, in the City & County of Honolulu, on the south shore of the island of Oahu, Hawaii. Waikiki Beach is the shoreline fronting Waikiki and one of the best known beaches in the world. Today the neighborhood and beach are considered the center of the tourist industry in Hawaii, with an abundance of both high-rise resort hotels (including the Hilton Hawaiian Village, the Halekulani hotel, the Hyatt Regency Waikiki, and the Sheraton Waikiki) and historic hotels dating back to the early 20th century (such as the Moana Surfrider Hotel and the Royal Hawaiian Hotel).

Waikiki Beach is noted for its magnificent views of the dormant volcano Diamond Head, its usually warm and cloud-free climate and its surfbreak. The frequently visited tourist beach, is actually fairly short, with half of it marked off for surfers. For some distance into the ocean the water is quite shallow, although there are numerous rocks on the bottom, so waders should watch where they put their feet. As with most ocean beaches the waves can have some force, particularly on windy days. The surf at Waikiki is known to its long rolling break, making it ideal for long boarding, tandem surfing and beginners. The beach hosts many events a year, including surf competitions, outdoor performances, hula dancing and outrigger canoe races.

Over time, Waikiki beach has had its problems with erosion, leading to the construction of groins and beach replenishment projects. For example, in the 1920s and 1930s sand was imported from Manhattan Beach, California, via ship and barges to Waikiki. The importing of sand has said to have stopped in the 1970's and officials are looking to way to sustain the existing sand by eliminating loss due to tide flow. Experts believe Hawaii's most famous beach is eroding.

Since 2001, there have been free movies on the beach. Many tourists from around the world can view a movie on an outdoor 30 foot screen. This particular free movie event in Waikiki is called "Sunset on the Beach".

Waikiki is home to public places of note, including Kapiolani Park, Fort de Russy Military Reservation, Kahanamoku Lagoon, Kuhio Beach Park, and Ali Wai Harbor.

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Waikiki Beach with Royal Hawaiian Hotel and Diamond Head at Sunset

Located on the sun drenched Hawaiian Island of Oahu, Waikiki Beach is one of the most famous and well known beaches in the entire world, with luxurious hotels and beach clubs set right on the beach. The famous Kalakaua Avenue, which runs parallel to the beach, offers you a shoppers paradise with fine restaurants and nightly entertainment.

Waikiki Beach is also known for its gentle waves which are ideal for beginner surfers. You can rent surboards and gear on the beach, even take lessons if you have never surfed before.

Catamaran rides to and from Diamond Head are also offered by several different companies as well, with depart times varying. Other activities on your vacation include kayaking, swimming, and outrigger canoeing.

Restaurants

There are several restaurants located right on Waikiki Beach, such as Duke's Canoe Club and the Surf Room. When the evening sets in, you can enjoy a romantic dinner while you watch the sun set over the beautiful and amazing Pacific Ocean.

Waikiki Beach Hotels

As you travel along the beach from west to east beginning in Diamond Head, you'll encounter several first class hotels such as Hilton Hawaiian Village, Sheraton Waikiki, Outrigger Hawai, the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, and several others.

The Waikiki Difference

While there are several other spots for your beach vacation, few manage to capture the beauty and tranquility that Waikiki offers. Hawaii has long been known for a tropical paradise, with Maui being an excellent example. Hawaii offers several beaches, with Waikiki being one of the best.

If you've been looking for the ideal place for your beach vacation, you shouldn't hesitate to go to Waikiki. You can find discounts on hotel rooms at different times of the year, making it the perfect opportunity to check out everything Hawaii will provide you and your family with.

Monument of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

Attack on Pearl Harbor


December 7, 1941
Aircraft and midget submarines of the Imperial Japanese Navy began a surprise attack on the U.S. under the command of Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto. Despite long-standing assertions that this attack could have been predicted and prevented by the United States Military, the U.S. forces at Pearl Harbor appeared to be utterly unprepared, and the attack was devastating in loss of life and damage to the U.S. fleet. At 6:05 a.m. on December 7, the six Japanese carriers launched a first wave of 183 planes composed mainly of dive bombers, horizontal bombers and fighters.

The Japanese hit American ships and military installations at 7:51 a.m. The first wave attacked military airfields of Ford Island. At 8:30 a.m. a second wave of 180 Japanese planes, mostly torpedo bombers, attacked the fleet anchored in Pearl Harbor. The battleship Arizona was hit with an armor piercing bomb which penetrated the forward ammunition compartment, blowing the ship apart and sinking it within seconds. Overall, nine ships of the U.S. fleet were sunk and twenty-one ships were severely damaged. Three of the twenty-one would be irreparable. The overall death toll reached 2,350, including 68 civilians, and 1,178 injured. Of the military personnel lost at Pearl Harbor, 1,177 were from the Arizona. The first shots fired were from the USS Ward on a midget submarine that had surfaced outside of Pearl Harbor, the USS Ward did successfully sink the midget sub at approximately 6:55, about an hour before the assault on Pearl Harbor.

Pearl Harbor was originally an extensive, shallow embayment called Wai Momi (meaning "harbor of pearl") or Pu'uloa by the Hawaiians. Pu'uloa was regarded as the home of the shark goddess Ka'ahupahau and her brother (or son) Kahi'uka. In Hawaiian legends, Keaunui, the head of the powerful and celebrated Ewa chiefs, is attributed the honour of having cut a navigable channel near the present Puuloa saltworks, by which the great estuary, now known as "Pearl River," was in all subsequent ages rendered accessible to navigation. Making due allowance for legendary amplification of a known fact, the estuary doubtless had an outlet for its waters where the present gap is; but the legend is probably correct in giving Keaunui the credit of having widened it and deepened it, so as to admit the passage of canoes, and even larger vessels, in and out of the Pearl River estuary. The harbor was teeming with pearl-producing oysters until the late 1800s.

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Overview of Waimea Bay on the North Shore

Maui, Hawaiian Lady with Frangipani Leis

The island of Maui is the second-largest of the Hawaiian Islands at 727.2 square miles (1883.5 km2) and is the 17th largest island in the United States. Maui is part of the state of Hawaii and is the largest island in Maui County. Three other islands, Lunai, Kahoolawe, and Molokai, also belong to Maui County. Together, the four islands are known as Maui Nui. In 2000, Maui had a population of 117,644, the third-largest of the Hawaiian islands, behind that of Oahu and Hawaii. Kahului is the largest town on the island with a population of 20,146. Wailuku is the seat of Maui County.

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Hamoa Beach, Hana, Maui

he island of Maui is home to some of the most amazing beaches. Some beaches offer swimming all year round, while others are best for surfing or snorkeling during certain times of the year. Depending on where you choose to stay, there are always some famous beaches nearby.

West Maui beaches

If you drive along the west coast of Maui from Lahaina to Kapalua, you'll see many breathtaking beaches along the coast. Kaanapali Beach will offer you over three miles of white sand with a variety of water sports, including surfing, sailboating, and even catamaran rides. On the north end of the beach is Black Rock, which is well known for snorkeling. Visitors like the sandy beach at Napili Bay, because there are no high rise buildings around, and the bay is protected well from waves. The Kapalua Resort in west Maui is home to Kapalua Beach, Oneloa Bay Beach, and the D.T. Fleming Beach.

South Maui Beaches

The rule with Hawaii and Maui is that the further south you travel, the less crowded the beaches will be. Kihei offers you a series of beaches along the six mile coastline, some even offering lifeguards, restrooms, and picnic areas. Polo Beach and Wailea Beach offer both restrooms and equipment rentals. Or, if you prefer a more secluded beach, you should visit Maluaka Beach at the Maui Prince Hotel - where you may even encounter some green sea turtles. A few miles past the Maui Prince Hotel is the Big Beach of Makena, which is one of the best beaches on Maui. As the name implies, the beach is quite large, and best of all - empty. It offers white sand, picnic facilities, and even restrooms.

East Maui Beaches

The beaches of East Maui are unlike others in Hawaii. Surrounded by lush scenery, the beaches are secluded, scenic, and very colorful. Hamoa Beach is a must visit if you plan to visit East Maui. As you approach the beach from the main road, you'll walk past colorful plants and palm trees surrounding Hamoa Beach. Just off Hana Highway is Hana Bay Beach, which offers black volcanic sand. The Red Sand Beach is difficult to get to, you'll need to find a narrow path along the coast. The beach offers plenty of swimming and snorkeling, and you should be the only one there which is great for those looking for privacy. Even though it is hard to get to, Red Sand Beach is truly one of a kind.

Horses in Field Near Hana, Maui, Hawaii

Patio Scene in Makawao, Maui, Hawaii

Haleakala Crater, Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawaii

Na Pali Coast, Kauai, Hawaii

Waterfalls in Kauai, Hawaii

Aerial View of "Jurassic Park & Waterfall

Waimea Canyon, Kauai, Hawaii

Hilo Bay, Island of Hawaii

The Island of Hawaii, also called the Big Island or Hawaii Island, is a volcanic island in the U.S. State of Hawaii in the North Pacific Ocean. With an area of 4,028 square miles (10,432 km), it is larger than all of the other Hawaiian Islands combined and is the largest island in the United States.

Hawaii is said to have been named for Hawaiiloa, the legendary Polynesian navigator who first discovered it. However, other accounts attribute the name to the legendary land or realm of Hawaiki, a place from which the Polynesians originated (see also Manua), the place where they go in the afterlife, the realm of the gods. The Island of Hawaii is administered as the County of Hawaii. The county seat is Hilo. It is estimated that as of the year 2008, the island had a resident population of 201,109.

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he amazing and relaxing Kona Village Resort is located on the western coast of the Big Island of Hawaii. Offering you breathtaking views and plenty of things to do, the Kona Village Resort is a beach vacation come true. If you are planning to relax, unwind from the pressures of life, and get closer to nature, Kona Village Resort is the ideal place to go.

This vacation resort caters to couples seeking romance as well as families looking to spend quality vacation time together. The Polynesian style cottages have no phones or television sets. This way, guests can spend their days trying out new activities, exploring the rich Hawaiian marine life in the bay, or just spend time relaxing time on the beach. The resort offers 125 individual bungalows that are spread out across 82 tropical acres. They are all different in style, size, and view. The south side of the resort offers palm trees and tropical foliage, while the lagoon side features wildlife, and the north side features a unique lava flow.

When it comes to dinner, you'll have a choice of two oceanfront restaurants. The cuisine is light with an emphasis on fresh island vegetables and fish. On Friday, the resort hosts the infamous and legendary Lu'au, which has been a Hawaiian tradition for many years.

The Kona Village Resort is located on 82 acres of tropical heaven with a large beach - private for guests. You can explore the resort bay that is teeming with wildlife, including the Hawaiian green sea turtles and blue tangs. If you visit the resort between December and April, you may even catch the North Pacific humpback whales as they migrate from Alaska to Hawaii - right off the beach. Almost every night at the resort, you can see the manta rays swim into the light in front of the Hale Moana restaurant.

There are several different activities to choose from here as well, including snorkeling, kayaking, and sailing. The Kona Village resort will even organize daily volleyball games and glass bottom boat tours. If you choose, you can even play tennis, go fishing, or even scuba diving - in the crystal clear Hawaii water.

The Kona Village Resort in Hawaii is another fine example of everything Hawaii has to offer you on your beach vacation. Hawaii is a beach vacation paradise, with something for the entire family. If you've been looking for the ideal vacation spot, Kona Village is where you'll want to spend almost all of your time.

Hapuna Beach, Island of Hawaii (Big Island), Hawaii

Lava Flow, Kilauea, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Island of Hawaii (Big Island)

Beach at Kailua-Kona, Island of Hawaii (Big Island), Hawaii

Rainbow Falls Near Hilo, Island of Hawaii (Big Island), Hawaii

Waikaloa Beach, Island of Hawaii (Big Island), Hawaii

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Cliffs and Coast at Entrance to Waipi'o Valley, Big Island, Hawaii,

Punaluu Black Sand Beach, Island of Hawaii (Big Island), Hawaii

The Garden of the Gods, Lanai, Hawaii

Lunai is the sixth-largest of the Hawaiian Islands. It is also known as the Pineapple Island because of its past as an island-wide pineapple plantation. The only town is Lunai City, a small settlement. The island is somewhat comma-shaped, with a width of 18 miles (29 km) in the longest direction. The land area is 140.5 square miles (364 km), making it the 42nd largest island in the United States. It is separated from the island of Molokai by the Kalohi Channel to the north, and from Maui by the Auau Channel to the east. The United States Census Bureau defines Lanai as Census Tract 316 of Maui County. Its total population was 3,193 as of the 2000 census. Many of the island's landmarks and sites are located off of dirt roads where four-wheel drive is required.

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Blue Parasol and Beach Chairs on Manele Bay, Hulopoe Beach, Lanai, Hawaii

Couple Frolicking in the Surf off Kekaha Beach with Niihau Island in the Distance

Luau Parties remain the favorite theme for summer parties. Find all you need for a successful tropical party with our large selection of luau decorations, scene setters, paper goods, hula skirts, silk flower leis and table accessories.
Have a Luau Blast! Hawaiian Luau Lens

English is the main spoken language. There are some subtle differences in usage (see below), but standard English is universally understood in Hawaii. Hawaiian "pidgin" English, spoken by many locals, incorporates bits of Hawaiian, Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, Portuguese and many other languages, in addition to its own unique idioms. As Japan is the most important international tourist market in Hawaii, many tourist destinations offer information in Japanese and have personnel who can speak Japanese. There are also many ethnic communities that speak languages such as Mandarin, Cantonese, Tagalog, Ilocano, Vietnamese, Korean, Samoan and the native Hawaiian language.

The Hawaiian alphabet consists of 12 letters: all 5 vowels plus 7 consonants (h, k, l, m, n, p, and w) which are generally pronounced in Hawaiian as they are in English, except that w can also take on the sound of v in certain words.

Each vowel or diphthong is pronounced separately. For instance, the highway connecting Honolulu and Kaneohe on Oahu is called the Likelike Highway, and is pronounced LEE-keh-LEE-keh, NOT like-like.

You will often see an apostrophe-like symbol in some words. This symbol, called the 'okina, means that the following vowel is pronounced with a catch in the throat, much like the sounds in "uh-oh" are separated. A line above a vowel means that the vowel is extended and stressed.

Some useful words include:

Hello.
Aloha. (ah-LOH-hah) Goodbye.
Aloha. (ah-LOH-hah) love
aloha (ah-LOH-hah) (So you indirectly refer to "love" when you first see someone and when they have to go)
Thank you.
Mahalo. (mah-HAH-loh). (Although this word is found on fast food trash receptacles around the islands, it does not mean "trash".)
finished, done
Pau. (pa-oo) help
kokua (koh-KOO-ah) woman
wahine (wah-HEE-ne) man
kane (kah-ne) child
keiki (KAY-kee) local resident
kama'aina (kah-mah-EYE-nah) Caucasian
haole (HOW-le). (This can be an offensive term depending on context.)
toward the mountains
mauka (ma-OO-kah) toward the ocean
makai (mah-KIGH)

Learning a few words of Hawaiian can be fun and useful. Some signs in Hawaii use Hawaiian words, and most street signs use Hawaiian names. The following is a brief primer on Hawaiian pronunciation:

a as in father
e as in red
i as in machine
o as in phone
u as in fruit

ai, ae roughly like the igh in high
au, ao roughly like the ow in cow
ei roughly the ay in hay
ou roughly like the o sound in boat.

(Article Source Wikitravel)