The Eight Major Islands

• O`ahu (Population 836,207) The most populated island, where Honolulu is the Capital City, the principal port, the major airport, and business and financial center, and the educational heart of the State. O`ahu is the military command center of the Pacific. Waikiki is the visitor center. Landmarks: Nuuanu Pali, Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor.
• Kaua`i (Population 50,947) The "Garden Island" offers magnificent scenery and lush vegetation, beautiful waterfalls, the spectacular Waimea Canyon, the great "hidden" valley of Kalalau, colorful tropical plants and flowers. Landmarks: Hanalei Bay, Wailua River, Nawiliwili Bay, Poipu Beach.
• Ni`ihau (Population 230) Privately owned island, with livestock raising as its principal industry; highly limited access by general public through helicopter landings at uninhabited sites. Legend says it was the original home of the goddess Pele.
• Moloka`i (Population 6,717) The "Friendly Isle" has diversified agriculture, ranching, tourism and the world's highest sea cliffs along its northern coast. On a 13-square-mile peninsula below high cliffs is Kalaupapa, the Hansen's Disease settlement, officially called Kalawao County, a National Historical Park.
• Lana`i (Population 2,426) Contains 140 square miles. Almost the entire island was a Dole Company pineapple plantation but is now phasing in tourism.
• Kaho`olawe Uninhabited. Once used as a target by U.S. Navy and Air Force which are cleaning up unexploded shells. No one is allowed to go ashore without permission.
• Hawai`i (Population 120,317) The "Big Island" has spectacular contrasts...the mighty volcanoes Mauna Loa (13,679 feet) and Kilauea, lofty snow clad Mauna Kea (13,796 feet), the Ka`u Desert, gorgeous waterfalls, the Puna Fern Forest, the colorful orchids of Hilo. The island grows sugar, coffee, cattle and macadamia nuts. Landmarks: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Kealakekua Bay, Kailua-Kona, Kawaihae, Parker Ranch, Waipio Valley.
• Maui (Population 91,361) The "Valley Isle" produces sugar, pineapple, cattle, horses. The 10,023-foot Haleakala is the largest dormant volcano crater in the world. Lahaina was Hawaii's capital before 1845, and still has some of the atmosphere of an old whaling town. Nearby are the Kaanapali and Wailea resort areas and golf courses. Hana and Iao Valley draw many visitors.

Return to images of Hawaii, or go back to my homepage.