GENERAL INFORMATION Hawaii is an isolated archipelago in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, approximately 2,550 miles southwest of Los Angeles and about 3,900 miles southeast of Tokyo. It's comprised of 8 major islands (Oahu, Hawaii, Maui, Kauai, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe, and Niihau) and a series of smaller ones. Hawaii is the world's longest island chain. In fact this Archipelago consists of over 130 scattered points of land stretching 1,600 miles from the Kure Atoll in the north to the Island of Hawaii in the south. Politically Hawaii became part of North America as the 50th US state on August 21, 1959 but geographically, because of its isolated location, it is not considered part of any continent. Hawaii is the most isolated population center on earth. Hawaii is 2,390 miles from California, 3,850 miles from Japan, 4,900 miles from China and 5,280 miles from the Philippines. The islands were first settled by Polynesians, possibly from the Marquesas, between 300 and 600 AD. On January 18, 1778 Captain James Cook, astonished to find high islands this far north in the Pacific, landed on the south coast of Kauai. He named and the islands, the Sandwich Islands, after the First Lord of the Admiralty, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, John Montague. A year later after exploring the area from the north coast of California to the Bering Strait, Cook returned to Hawaii. On February 14 at Kealakekua Bay, after some Hawaiians stole a small boat, he fought with a large group of natives and during the ensuing skirmish, shots were fired at the group and subsequently Cook was stabbed to death. Today the islands are one of the premier travel destinations in the world, and to quote Mark Twain, "The loveliest fleet of islands that lies anchored in any ocean..." Population: State Capital Honolulu: 876,260 on Oahu, Hilo: 40,760 on the large Island of Hawaii. These are the only large metropolitan centers. Entire state, 1,264,887, There are no racial or ethnic majorities in Hawaii. Everyone is a minority. Caucasians constitute about 34%; Japanese-American about 32%; Filipino-American about 16% and Chinese-American about 5%. - Hawaii County: 148,677 - Maui County: 128,241 - Kauai County: 58,436 Flight times: Tokyo- 9hrs., New York- 11hrs., Los Angeles- 4.5 hrs., Chicago- 8hrs WEATHER There are only 2 seasons in Hawaii: the summer months (called Kau in Hawaiian) are from May to October and the winter months (Ho'oilo) from November to April. The average daytime summer temperature at sea level is 85 F. (29.4 C) while the average daytime winter temperature is 78 (25.6 C). The highest temperature ever recorded was 96' F (13.3C) at Honolulu Airport, but temperatures over 90F (32C) rarely occur. The lowest temperature (under 3000 feet altitude) ever recorded was 56F (13C). Temperatures under 60F (15C) may occur but rarely more than once a year. TRANSPORTATION Most locals and visitors use air travel for inter-island and in some instances intra-island commuting, therefore airports, airplanes and jetliners are essential to all the islands. Since public transportation (at least outside Oahu) is limited, renting a car is necessary if you want to enjoy more than one area of this paradise. Major Airports Honolulu International Airport is the primary hub for domestic overseas and inter-island flights and is currently one of three State airports accommodating international flights. (808) 836-6413 Kahului Airport is located on the northern edge of the land bridge between Haleakala and the West Maui Mountain Range on Maui. It offers direct Flights to many US mainland cities and some international destinations. Also provides aircraft facilities for domestic overseas carriers, inter-island carriers, commuter/air taxi, air cargo, and general aviation activities. (808) 872-389 Kona International Airport (west coast of Hawaii on the Kona Coast) and Hilo International Airport(southeast of Hilo, Hawaii's second largest city) are on the large Island of Hawaii. These airports offer flights to some mainland cities and a few international destinations. It provides aircraft facilities for domestic overseas carriers, inter-island carriers, commuter/air taxi, air cargo, and general aviation activities. (808) 934-5840 Lihue Airport is 1.5 miles east of Lihue, on the southeast coast of Kauai. The airport provides passenger and aircraft facilities for domestic overseas carriers, inter-island carriers, commuter/air taxi, air cargo, and general aviation activities.(808) 246-1449 Lanai Airport is about three miles southwest of Lanai City on Lanai. The airport has a single runway that primarily serves scheduled inter-island some and commuter/air taxi traffic. Lihue Airport offers passenger and aircraft facilities for domestic overseas carriers, inter-island carriers, commuter/air taxi, air cargo, and general aviation activities. Molokai Airport primarily serves scheduled inter-island and commuter/air taxi traffic. (808) 567-6361 For more information: http://www.state.hi.us/dot/airports About Bicycles: you can put it in a special bike rack on the front of many buses on Oahu (Honolulu Metro Area). Fares are inexpensive and the gorgeous North Shore along with other parts of the island are easily reached. Other islands do not offer this service nor do they have an extensive bus system most resort areas have bicycle rental concessions. About Mopeds: moped concessions are in most resort areas. However most Island roads are jammed with rental cars driven by tourist — so be careful. ATTRACTIONS (Must See) The USS Arizona Visitor Center is located on the Pearl Harbor Naval Base adjacent to the sunken remains of the USS Arizona. The center is operated and maintained by the National Park Service in a use agreement with the U.S. Navy. The center and the USS Arizona Memorial are free but there are no reservations. Everyone visiting is encouraged to view a 20 minute film documenting the attack on Pearl Harbor. The film is presented by the park service, prior to a shuttle boat trip to the Memorial itself. Be prepared to wait. The Memorial is a very popular site and the crowds at all hours can be overwhelming. Visitors are issued free tickets for the film and the shuttle to the Arizona upon arrival at the center on a first come, first served basis, but waits of one hour or more are commonplace. The center is open from 7:30 A.M. To 5:00 P.M. But the last program of the day and tour starts at 3:00 P.M. The visitor center is closed thanksgiving, Christmas and new year's day. Phone: (808) 422-0561 http://www.library.arizona.edu/images/USS_Arizona/USS_Arizona.shtml