About Hawaii

The first “visitors” to the Islands of Hawaii came not knowing what to expect — or even that the Islands existed. It is generally believed Hawaii’s first permanent inhabitants sailed in voyaging canoes from the southern hemisphere islands of the Marquesas, between 300 and 800 A.D. Later waves of settlers arrived by the 12th century, this time from Tahiti.

Climate

All Hawaiian Islands have a “dry side” and a “wet side.” The windward (east) side of each island attracts more annual rainfall. The leeward (west) side is always the drier area of the island.

Hawaii’s tropical latitude gives it little difference in year-round day length and the amount of sun, even in the winter. But because the Islands’ terrain varies in altitude in certain spots (primarily on Maui and the Big Island with these Islands’ large volcanoes), temperatures can vary. The average annual temperature of 75 degrees Fahrenheit (23.9 degrees Celsius) fluctuates only a few degrees from summer (May through October) to winter (November through April), and — surprisingly to many newcomers — the summits of the Big Island of Hawaii’s Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa are often blanketed with snow. (NOTE: There are no formal ski areas on these mountains, but locals do snowboard and ski on their own power.)

Terrain

Together, the eight main Hawaiian Islands — Hawaii, Maui, Molokai, Oahu, Kauai, Kaho’olawe, Lanai and Ni’ihau — are home to virtually every geographic formation, terrain and climate to be found on earth, and the possibilities for outdoor enthusiasts are boundless: There are lava deserts on the Big Island and highland rainforests on Kauai; on Molokai you’ll find the world’s tallest sea cliffs and miles of pristine beaches.

Culture

What’s more, modern Hawaii’s culture is every bit as diverse as its geography, with virtually every nation and ethnicity represented in its food, festivals, music and art. From hula and hip hop to the Honolulu Symphony and community theater, the possibilities for today’s visitors to participate in Hawaii’s rich culture are limited only by the imagination.

More videos found HERE.

Did you know Hawaii…

  • is home to the longest continuously erupting volcano in recorded history (Kilauea Caldera on the Big Island has been producing a lava flow since January 1983)
  • has no daylight savings time
  • has no snakes in the wild
  • has the only U.S. city to be founded by royalty (Honolulu, on the island of Oahu), and hosts the only royal residence on U.S. soil (‘Iolani Palace)
  • has the only U.S. city with only vowels in its name: Aiea
  • hosted a structure (‘Iolani Palace) that featured electricity before even the White House in Washington, D.C.
  • had a population that, during the Hawaiian monarchy, was among the most literate in the world.
  • is home to the wettest spot on earth (Wai’ale’ale, Kaua’i’s highest mountain, records about 485 inches of rainfall per year)
  • has two official languages — Hawaiian and English
  • is comprised of 137 islands, encompassing a land area of 6,423.4 square miles (and only seven of these islands are inhabited)
  • is still growing (Lo’ihi, a new seamount 20 miles off the Big Island of Hawai’i, is giving birth to the chain’s next island — due to rise above the waves in another 60,000 years)
  • is the most geographically isolated population center on earth (we’re 2,000 miles from the Marshall Islands, 2,390 miles from California, 2,500 miles from Tahiti, 3,850 miles from Japan, 4,900 miles from China, and 5,280 miles from the Philippines)
  • has no rabies and requires a process to determine if incoming cats and dogs have the disease
  • is the only place on earth that hosts all branches of the U.S. military

 

The State’s Population

  • State resident population: 1,211,537
  • City & County of Honolulu: 876,156
  • Hawai’i County: 148,677
  • Maui County: 128,241
    • Island of Maui: 117,644
    • Island of Moloka’i: 7,404
    • Island of Lana’i: 3,193
  • Kaua’i County: 58,436
    • Island of Kaua’i: 58,303
    • Island of Ni’ihau: 160
  • De facto population (includes all persons physically present, including military and visitors, but excludes residents temporarily absent): 1,334,023

 

Source: State of Hawaii and Hawaii.com

 

Living in Hawaii

Our medical school, fellowship and residency programs are located in the city of Honolulu on the island of Oahu. Hawaii has a population of 1.4 million (of which approximately 1 million are in Honolulu) and over 8 million visitors annually. This lends to its richness in ethnic diversity of its people, culture and food with a particular emphasis on the Asia-Pacific. Where else can you find Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Korean, American, French, Himalayan, Italian and Mexican restaurants all within a 1-2 block walking distance of each other?

Click here to learn more about Activities to do in Hawaii.

Getting settled in Hawaii
General information to help you get settled in Hawaii is listed below and can be found HERE.
  • Becoming a resident of Hawaii
  • Registering your vehicle
  • Getting a driver’s license
  • Getting a state ID card
  • Register to vote in Hawaii
  • Utilities (water/electricity/gas/telephone)
  • Animals and Pets
  • Traveling and shipping information
  • Interisland flights and ferries
  • Demographic information

Getting around
Information about Hawaii’s airports, buses and traffic safety/driving laws can be found HERE.

Schools

To search all things Hawai’i click here.