The climate is tropical, with a strong contrast between the coasts at the wind, very sprinkled (north-eastern coasts) and the shores, much drier. The annual average temperature is of 27° C.

Became the 50th State of the United States on August 21, 1959, Hawaii was a monarchy until January 17, 1893, date on which Queen Liliuokalani resigned.

The Hawaii islands were baptized the Sandwich islands by Captain James Cook who visited them in 1778. The famous British sailor was to go back a year there later and to be killed there.

Since 1820, the American whalers made this archipelago a stopover.

Hawaii is today a melting pot of many cultures dominated by Polynesian, Chinese and Japanese. People say that Hawaii is the world's friendliest place - and the hospitality, so it seems, is contagious.

Kauai

The northernmost of the major islands.

In the middle of the “Island Garden” rises the amazing Canyon Waimea, known as the “Large Canyon of the Pacific”. Kauai shelters also the famous coast of Na Pali, with its emerald green cliffs, endless beaches, tropical forests and the cascades used as a decoration by many movies such as South Pacific, Jurassic Park or the cult series Lost. A cruising on the Wailau river will lead you to the very beautiful Fern Grotto.

Oahu - Honolulu

The third-largest island of the archipelago is mainly known for Honolulu, the State capital, modern and active city in which one finds the only royal palace within the American territory, and for the famous Waikiki Beach along which abound the night clubs and the Hawaiian shows.

The Tantalus Mount offers an impressive sight on Honolulu and the bay.

To do a proper tour, stay one or two days in the Island. You will discover Pearl Harbor, who was the general district of the Pacific American Troop. The only American city having been bombarded by the Japanese (on December 7, 1941) during the Second World War.

Also to discover in Diamond Head, the Royal Mausoleum where the kings and the queens of Hawaii are buried, Nuuanu Pali where king Kamehameha had overcome Oahuans by pushing them to the bottom of the Great Hole, Jolani Palace with his remarkable throne room, Ulu Mau Village, where an indigenuous habitat was restored : Bernice Pauahi Museum, Queen Emma Museum and Honolulu Academy of Art.

Maui

Maui, the “Magic Island” is the second-largest in surface amongst the archipelago's islands. It is gifted by marvelous beaches. In its center the immense crater of the volcano now extinguished and named Haleakala is today a national park.

The Haleakala crater is a gigantic extinct volcano which constitutes the Eastern part of the island. This crater is 12 km long on 4 m of wide. Its circumference is of 34 km. The bottom of the crater, 600 meters below the top of the walls, extends on 50 km².

Molokai

The “Welcoming Island” is an island however mainly surrounded by highcliffs sometimes wrapped by clouds. A harbour of peace crossed by broken pathways, where you will discover an ensemble of small charming towns such as one of the oldest Hawaiian Cemeteries (Heiaus) of the State.

Lanai

Formerly a vast pineapple plantation, the “Withdrawn Island” shelters in spite of its name two of the most elegant tourist stations of the State.

Hawaii (Big Island)

In the south of the archipelago, Hawaii or the “Large Island” is the indeed the largest one seen from afar. Not less than 480 km of shores, of white sandy beaches or black volcanic sands, the luxuriant tropical forests, the highest mountains of Hawaii (Mauna Kea, 4,205 m, sometimes covered with snow on its peak and Mauna Loa, 4,169 m), as well as Kilauea - the mount located in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park in the south of the island happens to be the most active volcano of the world.

Capital of the Large Island, Hilo, on the northern coast, is the second-largest city of the archipelago and a famous center of orchid cultures.

The island counts several splendid waterfalls, like Rainbow Falls or Akaka falls.

Visit the gardens of orchids as well as the coffee plantations in Kona.

Honolulu : Kuhio Beach and Waikiki Beach

Maui : A meteorological webcam

Photos : O'ahu Visitor Bureau - Maui CVB
National Parks Service - Kauai CVB