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The Aloha State™
The State of Hawaii is a volcanic archipelago in the Central Pacific, and thus commonly included in Oceania. It lies southwest of the North American continent, south of Alaska, and north of Tahiti. The Hawaiian Archipelago comprises hundreds of islands and atolls extending across a distance of 1,500 miles (2,400 km). Of these, the eight largest islands are considered the "main islands" and are located at the southeastern end of the archipelago. These islands are, in order from the northwest to southeast, Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe, Maui, and Hawaii (island). The latter is by far the largest, and is very often called the "Big Island" or "Big Isle" to avoid confusion with the state name.
The State of Hawaii became the 50th state of the United States of America on August 21, 1959. The archipelagic state is situated in the North Pacific Ocean, 2,300 miles (3,700 km) from the Continental United States. In the 19th century, Hawaii was also known as the Sandwich Islands.
Where tourism is concerned, Hawaii has something for everyone. The island of Oahu, the most populous and home to the state capital and largest city of Honolulu, is great for people who wish to experience the islands and still keep the conveniences of a large city. Rainforests and hiking trails are located just minutes from Waikiki Beach, one of the world's best tourist destinations. In the winter, large waves on Oahu's north shore turn the normally sleepy area into the surfing capital of the world.
On the other hand, those who wish to experience Hawaii at a slower pace would do well to visit one of the Neighbor Islands (the other, less populated islands around Oahu). All the neighbor islands offer opportunities to relax and enjoy the sun and scenery. Many of the natural wonders of the Islands are located on the Neighbor Islands, from Waimea Canyon on Kauai, to Haleakala on Maui, to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island of Hawaii. Numerous waterfalls and rainforests evoke memories of what the islands might have looked like before major corporations set their sights on Hawaii.
Wording Courtesy of http://www.wikipedia.org
Photos courtesy of Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau
