We may bit a little bias, but we believe that Hawaii is one of the most incredible places on Earth. The tropical beauty and landscapes create the perfect environment, and the beaches are second to none. The culture of the islands is diverse, with so many different nationalities calling the islands home, helping to create a melting pot that makes the islands a truly unique place. And that doesn’t even mention the history of the islands, which is about as interesting as you can get, dating back to the earliest arrivals to the islands.
These facts and things to know about Hawaii will help to get you ready for your trip:
- The first documented arrivals to the islands date back to 800AD.
- The islands have been discovered a few different times, most recently by Captain Cook in 1778.
- Hawaii includes both the western most and southern most points in the United States.
- Hawaii is the only state that grows coffee.
- Ni’ihau, or the Forbidden Island, is privately owned and visitors are only allowed to visit when invited by the island’s owner.
- There is no majority ethnicity among the state’s residence.
- The Hawaiian alphabet contains 12 letters: A, E, I, O, U, H, K, L, M, N, P and W.
- Lahaina, Maui was once the state’s capital, and was the hub for whaling in the Pacific Ocean.
- The Big Island’s towering Mauna Kea is the tallest mountain in the world when measured from its base on the sea floor.
- Mauna Kea receives snow in the winter.
- Snakes are not allowed in Hawaii, though the occasional stowaway is found in shipments to the islands.
- Billboards are not permitted in Hawaii, leaving views of the island unobstructed.
- Hawaiian Monarchy ruled the islands until the overthrow of the Kingdom.
- Oahu’s Iolani Palace is the only royal palace in the United States.
- Also, the Iolani Palace had electricity before the White House.
- Mt. Waialealea receives nearly 500 inches of rain per year, making it the wettest spot on Earth.
- Per law, no building on Kauai can be taller than a palm tree.
- The Big Island is huge, and is more than double the size of all Hawaiian islands combined.
- Mt. Kilauea has been erupting since 1983, and adds about 42 acres per year to the Big Island.
- In total, there are 132 islands in Hawaii, including atolls, islets, and offshore islands.
- Can you say the name of the state fish? Humuhumunukunukuapua'a
There is so much to learn about Hawaii, and this is just the beginning. Soak up as much as you can about the islands, and uncover some incredible facts!
Due to the high volume of visitors traveling to Hawaii year round, our Hawaii tours and activities sell out quickly. In many cases, tours sell out weeks or months in advance. To ensure your spots on tour, we recommend reserving your tours today. Call our office or book online to take advantage of our low price guarantee today.
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