Hawaii is the 50th state of the United States of America. Situated nearly at the center of the north Pacific Ocean, Hawaii marks the northeast corner of Polynesia.Hawai’i is an archipelago of over nineteen distinct volcanic islands located over a geological “hot spot” in the Central Pacific.White beaches, blue waters and colorful coral reef encircle rainforest-covered cliffs to create the ultimate island paradise—Hawaii.Oahu, nicknamed “the Gathering Place,” is the most populous and developed island. Its southern shore is home to the city of Honolulu.Maui is the second largest island in the chain and is home to 10,023 foot (3,055 m) tall volcanic mountain crater of Haleakala.Molokai, the “Friendly Isle,” is one of the least developed islands in the chain. It is home to Kalaupapa, the leper colony on Molokai’s north shore that was the home of Father Damien.
Hawaii, as tourist bureaus and Hollywood constantly remind us, is ‘paradise.’ Push past the hype and what do you find? Darned if they’re not right. Hawaii is hiking sculpted cliffs or diving coral-reef cities in the morning and drinking mai tais to slack-key guitar at sunset. It’s slurping juicy papayas with hibiscus flowers in your hair; it’s Pacific Rim cuisine, fiery volcanoes and cavorting whales. By serendipity and design, Hawaii is an almost flawless destination.