Usually referred to as the "Big Island," Hawaii is the largest and youngest island in the chain. It is a geographically diverse place that contains all but two of the planet's climate zones. More than twice the size of all the other islands combined, it is home to the largest national park in the state, the tallest sea mountain in the world, the world's most active volcano and the most massive mountain in the world. The Big Island's Kona district is home to highly prized Kona coffee.
Also known as "The Gathering Place," Oahu is the third-largest island in the chain. It is the home to the majority of the state's population and the site of Honolulu, the capital and largest city. Oahu contains both a diverse, sophisticated urban culture and lush plant life. Oahu's culture combines elements brought by Asian and European settlers with native traditions. Oahu is known for historic Pearl Harbor and the tourist destinations of Waikiki and Iolani Palace, the only royal residence in the United States.
Known as the "Magic Isle," Maui is famous for its scenery and small towns. Some of the island's attractions include sandy beaches, rugged mountains and numerous waterfalls. Maui is perhaps best known as the home of Kamehameha I, the king who forged a unified Hawaii in 1810.
Molokai is the most rural of the inhabited islands. The majority of its residents are native Hawaiians who've resisted tourist development and preserved many of their cultural traditions. Visitors to the island can take in its many natural wonders by foot, car, bicycle, four-wheel-drive vehicle or even mule. They include the highest sea cliffs in the world, Papahoku Beach and Kalaupapa National Historic Park. Kalaupapa National Historic Park is best known as the former home of St. Damien, a Belgian priest who ministered to the victims of leprosy who were quarantined on the island in the late 1800s.
The smallest inhabited island in Hawaii, Lanai combines luxury resorts with rugged outdoor life. Visitors to Lanai will find championship golf, shopping, inexpensive dining and natural beauty such as the Garden of the Gods rock garden and Polihua Beach. Swimming is discouraged along Polihua Beach, but the isolated stretch of sand is considered an excellent place for sunbathing and beach combing.
Located just west of Kauai, Niihau has been a privately owned island since it was purchased from the Kingdom of Hawaii in the 1860s. While it is open to visitors, the tiny, isolated island has no hotels, restaurants, roads or other trappings of Hawaii's contemporary tourist-centric life. Rather, in accordance with the wishes of King Kamehameha IV, the owners protect the the traditional way of life as it was at the time of the Hawaiian monarchy. The 250 residents live without electricity or other modern conveniences and earn their livings working the owner's ranch.
Called the "Garden Isle," Kauai is known for its rugged landscapes, rivers, waterfalls and rainforests. Portions of the island are accessible only by sea and air. Visitors to the island enjoy many outdoor activities including zip lining, hiking, kayaking and snorkeling. Attractions on the island include the Wailua River, Kokee State Park and Poipu Beach.
An uninhibited island seven miles from Maui, Kahoolawe is the smallest of the eight main islands. Traditionally the island was considered the home of the god Kanaloa and is the site of many shrines that ancient Hawaiians built. In the mid-1800s the island briefly served as a penal colony for persecuted Catholics. In the 1920s, the federal government leased the land as a bombing range. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the island became the exclusive province of the U.S. Navy for gunnery training and bombing practice. In 1993, after decades of protest, the U.S. government returned the island to the state, although the Navy continued its presence in the area until 2003 as it cleaned up unexploded ordinance.
