When people talk about the Hawaiian Islands, they often mean the largest island, Hawaii. But there are many more, 24 to be exact. They are located in the Pacific Ocean quite far from America. The archipelago represents the tops of an underwater ridge and is of volcanic origin. Among the largest, in addition to Hawaii, are Kahulawa, Maui, Oahu, Kauai, and the Big Island. On the Big Island is the active volcano Kilauea.
The nature of Hawaii is rich with exotic flowers and other tropical vegetation. There are no poisonous snakes, crocodiles, or predatory animals. But the number of birds in Hawaii is very high. And of the richness of the underwater world, suffice it to say that more than 600 species of fish live off the coast of the islands.
Hawaii has long evolved apart from the rest of the world. That’s why there are many endemic plant species, i.e. those that grow only here. This fact has also affected the fauna. Due to the absence of predators, the islanders have not developed such means of protection as horns, needles or poisonous teeth. When the islands were discovered by Polynesians, only two animal species lived there – the white-gray bat and the monk seal. Subsequently, other animals were brought here and safely adapted to life in Hawaii. Interestingly enough, at first there were also no amphibians, reptiles, or insects such as flies, lice, mosquitoes, and cockroaches. In the 19th century there were many hunters for the skins and fat of monk seals, and these animals were almost exterminated. However, they survived and now their population is gradually increasing.
Often tourists prefer to stay on the island of Oahu, because this is where the city of Honolulu, the capital of Hawaii, is located. For visitors organize excursions around the city, as well as throughout the island. In Honolulu, the Palace of Iolana, the monument to King Kamehameha and King Liliokalana, Chinatown, the residence of the governor, the Senate is particularly enthusiastic. Of course, it is worth a visit to Pearl Harbor military base. It was after the shelling and destruction of this place that the U.S. entered World War II. And it was in retaliation for the destruction of Pearl Harbor base that nuclear bombs were dropped on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. There is also an amazing jewelry factory, where you can trace the whole path of creation of unique jewelry from coral mining to stone processing and casting blanks. And if you want to leave something as a memento of the place,
The island of Oahu is the center of Polynesian culture. Tourists are invited to visit seven villages – Tahiti, Tonga, Hawaii, Fiji, New Zealand, and the Marquesas Islands of Samoa. Each village reproduces a different part of the Polynesian culture, delighting visitors with performances in national costumes, rousing dances and playing authentic musical instruments.
Vacationers in Hawaii are usually offered a trip to the extinct volcanoes. And this is not surprising. After all, in fact, all the islands are active volcanoes or long-extinct. The tops of these volcanoes look out from the sea and form a chain of 3,000 kilometers long.
To see the most active volcanoes, Kilaue and Manua Loa, you must go to the island of Hawaii. Manua Loa is the highest active volcano in the world. Its height is more than 4 thousand meters. The islands have all the conditions for viewing volcanoes. The extinct giants are torn by walking paths, tourists are taken to them by buses.
At active volcanoes, of course, it is better to look at the side. There are observatories and observation decks in Hawaii for this purpose. On the island of Hawaii, there is the Hawaii Volcano National Park. On its territory, you can observe Kilauea volcano and Halemaumau crater. Visitors to the park will be an amazing spectacle of red-hot bubbling lava flowing directly into the ocean. There is also a museum of volcanology.
Fans of beautiful views should go to the island of Maui Valley. Here is the prominent Haleakala Volcano, whose peak is the highest point in Hawaii. On the island, you can admire plantations of beautiful flowers, proteas, and picturesque mountain valleys. Tired of walking and sightseeing, you can go to Ka’anapali Beach and enjoy relaxing by the sea.
How to get to Hawaii
Hawaii is the largest transportation hub in the North Pacific Ocean, through which routes connect the United States and Canada with East Asian countries, the Philippines, Australia and New Zealand.
If tourists are going to the islands of Hawaii, Maui or Kauai, fly to Los Angeles, then take a domestic flight to the desired island, with a mandatory landing in Honolulu.
The flight from New York or Chicago takes 9-10 hours.
You can also get to Hawaii by cruise ship from the U.S. coast. Usually ocean liners leave from Los Angeles (USA) or Vancouver (Canada), such a trip lasts three days and costs about the same money as the flight.