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Hawaii Islands |
| Nature
& Environment |
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US state of Hawaii lies 1470 miles (2367 km) north of the equator and 2500
miles (4025 km) southwest of the nearest continental land mass, North
America. The six main islands are part of a 128-island archipelago
stretching 1523 miles (2452 km) from Kure Atoll in the northwest to the
Big Island in the southwest. The main islands include Oahu, and the
Neighbor Islands of Maui, Kauai, the Big Island (Hawaii), Molokai and
Lanai. The islands are the tips of massive mountains, created by a crack
in the earth's mantle which has been spewing molten rock for 25 million
years. The Big Island, Hawaii's southernmost, is still in the birthing
process. Its most active volcano, Kilauea, has pumped out more than two
billion cubic yards of lava in the past 12 years. |
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native flora and fauna species of these isolated islands evolved with
limited competition and few predators, so has fared particularly badly
against more aggressive species introduced by early Polynesian settlers
and Westerners. The islands are home to thousands of species, but of the
2400 native plant species remaining, almost half are endangered. It's a
happier story in the sea. Hawaiian monk seals, dolphins and whales are
year-round residents, though it's the huge, migrating humpback whales that
everyone wants to see. Hawaii has only two national parks - Hawaii
Volcanoes National Park and Haleakala National Park.
The climate in Hawaii is fantastic. It's balmy
and warm, with northeasterly trade winds prevailing most of the year. Near
the coast, average highs are a pleasant 80°F (27°C), and the difference
between summer and winter average temperatures is a meager five or 10
degrees. The rainiest period is between December and March. In general,
the driest, sunniest conditions and the calmest waters are on the
southwesterly, or leeward, side of the islands. Conversely, the
northeasterly, or windward, side of the islands receive decent rainfalls:
Hilo, the rainiest city in the USA, is on the windward side of the Big
Island.
For information
on National Parks in Hawaii, go to: |
| Big Island Hawaii
Kauai |
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Maui |
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Moloka'i |
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For more general information
on Hawaii, go to: |
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For more regional information on Hawaii, go to: |
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For more product information
on Hawaii, go to: |
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For
our special offers to Hawaii from Europe, go to:
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These specials are individual tour packages,
including the roundtrip flights from Europe, interisland flights,
hotels, transfers and rentalcars. Another option is to create your own
package to the Hawaii by utilizing the separate travel components, like
hotels,
flights,
Carrental
and
excursions
on the islands. |
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