According to babyinger, Hawaii is a group of islands located in the central Pacific Ocean. It is made up of 132 islands, atolls, and reefs spread out over 1,500 miles. Hawaii is the only state in the United States that consists entirely of islands. The main eight islands are Niʻihau, Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Kahoʻolawe, Maui and Hawaiʻi Island (also known as “the Big Island”). Of these eight major islands, six are inhabited.
The geography of Hawaii is diverse and includes many different types of landforms. The islands range from low coral atolls to high volcanic mountains. The highest point in Hawaii is Mauna Kea on the Big Island at 13,796 feet above sea level. There are four main types of volcanic landforms in Hawaii: shield volcanoes (such as Mauna Kea), cinder cones (such as Puu Oo on Kilauea Volcano), stratovolcanoes (such as Haleakala on Maui) and tuff cones (such as Diamond Head on Oahu). Additionally, there are numerous lava flows which have created unique features such as lava tubes and lava benches along the coastline.
The climate in Hawaii can vary greatly depending on elevation and location within the archipelago. The higher elevations tend to be cooler than the lower coastal areas with temperatures rarely falling below freezing even at higher elevations due to warm ocean currents. Precipitation also varies greatly with much higher levels occurring in windward locations than leeward ones due to orographic lift from mountain ranges which can cause rain clouds to form when moist air rises upslope into cooler temperatures where condensation occurs resulting in rain showers or thunderstorms.
Administrative Regions in Hawaii
According to COUNTRYAAH.COM, Hawaii is divided into five counties, each of which is further subdivided into several smaller municipalities. The five counties are Hawaii County (which includes the Big Island), Honolulu County (which includes Oahu), Kauai County, Maui County and Kalawao County. Each county is governed by a mayor elected by the people and a county council.
The state capital, Honolulu, is located on Oahu and is home to the state government as well as numerous other government offices. Honolulu is also home to many of the state’s major cultural attractions including Iolani Palace, Kawaiahao Church, Aloha Tower and Waikiki Beach. Other cities in Hawaii include Hilo on the Big Island, Lihue on Kauai, Wailuku on Maui and Kalaupapa on Molokai.
The Hawaiian Islands are also divided into two regions: the Hawaiian Islands archipelago (which includes all of the islands except for Midway Atoll) and the Hawaiian Leeward Islands (which includes Midway Atoll). The Hawaiian archipelago consists of eight main islands: Niʻihau, Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Kahoʻolawe, Maui and Hawaiʻi Island (also known as “the Big Island”).
Hawaii has many different types of landforms such as mountains, valleys and cliffs. These landforms create distinct regions within Hawaii that are often referred to by their geographic name such as Kona or Waimea Valley. Additionally, there are several national parks in Hawaii including Haleakala National Park which encompasses much of East Maui’s volcanic terrain and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park which contains two active volcanoes: Kilauea and Mauna Loa.
There are numerous other administrative divisions in Hawaii such as census-designated places (CDPs) which are unincorporated areas with population statistics recorded by the US Census Bureau. Additionally, there are several US military bases located throughout the islands including Pearl Harbor Naval Base in Honolulu County and Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii County.
Demographics of Hawaii
Hawaii is a diverse state with a population of 1.42 million people according to the 2019 census. It is the most ethnically and racially diverse state in the US, with Caucasians making up 24.7% of the population, Asians at 38.6%, Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islanders at 9.3%, African Americans at 2.8%, and Hispanics or Latinos at 10.6%.
The largest ethnic group in Hawaii is Asian which includes Japanese (15%), Filipino (14%), Chinese (5%), Korean (2%), Vietnamese (1%) and other Asian ethnicities making up 6%. The Native Hawaiian population makes up 8% of the total population while other Pacific Islanders make up 1%. The largest non-Asian group is Caucasians, who make up 25% of the population, followed by Hispanics or Latinos at 11%.
In terms of religious affiliation, Christianity is the most common religion among Hawaii residents with 41% identifying as Christian followed by Buddhism at 19%, Non-Religious or Atheist/Agnostic/Apatheist/etc. at 11%, Hinduism at 7%, Islam at 2% and other religions accounting for 20%.
Hawaii has an aging population with 18.4% aged 65 or older compared to 15.1% nationally while 21.8% are under 18 compared to 22.6% nationally. The median age in Hawaii is 39 years old compared to 38 nationally while the median household income in Hawaii is $76,765 compared to $61,937 nationally according to 2017 estimates from the US Census Bureau’s American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates report.
Hawaii also has a higher than average rate of educational attainment with 28% having a bachelor’s degree or higher compared to 24% nationally while 17% have some college education but no degree compared to 21% nationally according to 2017 estimates from the US Census Bureau’s American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates report. Additionally, 89% of adults aged 25 years and over have completed high school or higher education compared to 84 % nationwide according to 2017 estimates from the US Census Bureau’s American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates report.
Transportation in Hawaii
Hawaii is known for its incredible natural beauty and unique culture, but it is also well-serviced by multiple forms of transportation. From local buses to international flights, the Hawaiian Islands offer plenty of options for getting around.
One of the most popular ways to get around Hawaii is by car. With a few exceptions, driving is the primary means of transportation for locals and visitors alike. The islands are connected by a network of highways, including the H-3 Freeway which runs from Honolulu to Kaneohe on Oahu and the H-1 Freeway which runs from Kapolei to Honolulu on Oahu. There are also many scenic roads winding through Hawaii’s lush countryside, offering breathtaking views along the way.
Public transportation in Hawaii is provided by TheBus, a fleet of over 200 buses that travel throughout all major islands in Hawaii. TheBus offers an affordable option for getting around and has routes connecting many popular destinations throughout the state. Additionally, there are several private bus companies that offer shuttle services between airports and cruise ports as well as inter-island tours.
For those looking for a more luxurious form of transportation, there are plenty of taxi companies available in Hawaii. Taxis can be found at most airports as well as at major tourist attractions and hotels throughout the islands. Fares vary based on location but tend to be reasonably priced compared to other cities in the US.
Hawaii also has an extensive network of air travel options with two international airports (Honolulu International Airport and Kona International Airport), several regional airports located throughout the islands, numerous inter-island flights connecting all major Hawaiian Islands daily, and dozens of weekly nonstop flights from cities across North America and Asia Pacific arriving into Honolulu or Kona International Airport each week. For those looking to explore further out into Pacific Ocean or visit other nearby countries like Japan or Australia, there are plenty of cruise lines that offer trips departing from Honolulu or Lahaina on Maui each year.
No matter how you choose to get around in Hawaii – car rental, bus ride, taxi cab or plane – you will find yourself surrounded by some truly amazing scenery.