The Eight Major Hawaiian Islands (Plus One Islet)

The Hawaiian archipelago comprises eight major islands (seven inhabited) and numerous smaller islets, atolls, and seamounts. The "nine islands" count often includes Lehua, a small crescent-shaped islet.

The Eight Main Islands (NW to SE)

1. Niʻihau (70 sq mi) — "Forbidden Isle"; privately owned (Robinson family); ~170 Native Hawaiian residents; no tourism.
2. Kauaʻi (552 sq mi) — "Garden Isle"; Waimea Canyon, Nā Pali Coast; oldest main island (5.1 Ma).
3. Oʻahu (597 sq mi) — "Gathering Place"; Honolulu, Pearl Harbor, Waikīkī; 70% of state population.
4. Molokaʻi (260 sq mi) — "Friendly Isle"; Kalaupapa peninsula, sea cliffs; high Native Hawaiian %.
5. Lānaʻi (141 sq mi) — "Pineapple Isle"; 98% owned by Larry Ellison; two Four Seasons resorts.
6. Maui (727 sq mi) — "Valley Isle"; Haleakalā (10,023 ft), Road to Hāna, Kāʻanapali.
7. Kahoʻolawe (45 sq mi) — "Target Isle"; uninhabited; former Navy bombing range; restoration ongoing.
8. Hawaiʻi (Big Island) (4,028 sq mi) — "Orchid Isle"; 63% of state land area; Mauna Kea (13,803 ft), Mauna Loa, Kīlauea (active), coffee, astronomy.

The "Ninth" — Lehua

• Small (284 acres / 1.15 km²), crescent-shaped islet 0.7 mi north of Niʻihau.
• Uninhabited; Hawaiʻi State Seabird Sanctuary (largest seabird colony in main islands).
• No permanent freshwater; steep cliffs; landing prohibited without permit.

Geologically, the chain continues NW as the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument) — atolls, reefs, seamounts extending to Kure Atoll (2,200 km from Hawaiʻi Island).