Hawaii vs. Idaho: Not Southeast or Southwest—Just Far Away

Neither. The Hawaiian Islands lie in the central North Pacific (19–22°N, 155–160°W). Idaho sits in the North American Intermountain West (42–49°N, 111–117°W).

The Geometry

• Distance: ~3,000 mi (4,800 km) Honolulu → Boise
• Direction: Hawaii is west-southwest of Idaho (bearing ~240°)
• Time Zones: Hawaii (HST, UTC-10) vs. Idaho (MST/MDT, UTC-7/UTC-6) – 3–4 hour difference

Why the Confusion?

• Map projections (Mercator) distort Pacific distances
• "Southwest" implies US Southwest (AZ, NM) – Hawaii is far beyond
• "Southeast" makes no geometric sense from Idaho

Real Relationship

• Flight: 5.5–6 hrs nonstop (seasonal: BOI→HNL, GEG→HNL)
• Migration: Idaho → Hawaii retirees; Hawaii → Idaho students (BYU-Idaho)
• Ecology: Zero overlap. Tropical volcanic vs. continental mountain/desert
• Culture: Polynesian/Asian/American vs. Western frontier/agricultural

Hawaii and Idaho share a country—and almost nothing else geographically.