Hawaii – the World’s Most Remote Population Center
Hawaii is the most remote island chain in the world. It is located in
the Central Pacific Ocean, 2,390 miles (3,850 km) from California and
3,850 miles (6,195 km) from Japan.
Formerly known as the Sandwich Islands, the Hawaiian archipelago spans
the distance of 1,523 miles (2,451 km) from the Big Island of Hawaii
in the southeast to the Kure Atoll in the northwest. This makes Hawaii
also the world’s longest island chain.
The state of Hawaii is named after the largest of the islands, which
has twice the size of all the other main islands combined. The Main
Hawaiian Islands are Oahu, with the state capital of Honolulu,
Hawaii
(Big Island), Maui,
Kauai,
Molokai,
Lanai, Niihau und Kahoolawe. They
are located at the southwestern end of the island chain. Toward the
northwest, there are 124 more uninhabited islands, reefs and atolls
that are collectively known as the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.
Formed by Undersea Volcanoes
All of the Hawaiian Islands were formed by volcanic activity, which
means that the islands are actually the tips of huge mountains underneath
the ocean that were born from gigantic eruptions. The
volcanoes are
still active today and the creation of new land can be witnessed on
the Big Island of Hawaii.
Some Numbers
The highest mountains are located on the Big Island. Mauna Kea rises
13,796 feet (4,205 m) and Mauna Loa 13,679 feet (4,169 m) above sea
level. The mean elevation of the state of Hawaii is 3,030 feet (923
m) above sea level.
Hawaii is the 43rd largest of the 50 states in the USA ahead of
Rhode Island, Delaware, Connecticut, New Jersey, New Hampshire,
Vermont and Massachusetts.
The total land area of Hawaii is 6,423 square miles (16,635 sq. km)
and 4,508 square miles (11,675 sq. km) are covered by water. The
total coastline is 750 miles (1,207 km). The longest river is
Kaukonahua Stream on Oahu measuring 33 miles (53 km) in length. The
highest waterfall is Kahiwa, a 1,750-foot (533 m) cascade on
Molokai.
Hawaii's geographic location: 21°18′41″N, 157°47′47″W
Rank of islands by size
Big Island of Hawaii: 4,038 square miles (10,458 sq. km)
Maui: 729 square miles (1,888 sq. km)
Oahu: 607 square miles (1,572 sq. km)
Kauai: 551 square miles (1,427 sq. km)
Niihau: 72 square miles (186 sq. km)
Kahoolawe: 45 square miles (116 sq. km)
Elevations of major summits
| Big Island of Hawaii:
|
|
|
| Mauna Kea |
13,796 feet |
4,205 meters |
| Mauna Loa |
13,679 feet |
4,169 meters |
| Hualalai |
8,271 feet |
2,521 meters |
| Kaumu o Kaleihoohie |
5,480 feet |
1,670 meters |
| Kilauea (Uwekahuna) |
4,093 feet |
1,248 meters |
| Kilauea (Halemaumau Rim) |
3,660 feet |
1,116 meters |
Maui: |
|
|
| Haleakala (Red Hill) |
10,023 feet |
3,055 meters |
| Haleakala (Kaupo Gap) |
8,201 feet |
2,500 meters |
| Puu Kukui |
5,788 feet |
1,764 meters |
| Iao Needle |
2,250 feet |
686 meters |
Oahu: |
|
|
| Kaala |
4,003 feet |
1,220 meters |
| Puu Kalena |
3,504 feet |
1,068 meters |
| Konahuanui |
3,150 feet |
960 meters |
| Tantalus |
2,013 feet |
614 meters |
| Olomana |
1,643 feet |
501 meters |
| Koko Crater |
1,208 feet |
368 meters |
| Nuuanu Pali Lookout |
1,186 feet |
361 meters |
| Diamond Head |
760 feet |
232 meters |
| Koko Head |
642 feet |
196 meters |
| Punchbowl |
500 feet |
152 meters |
Kauai: |
|
|
| Kawaikini |
5,243 feet |
1,598 meters |
| Waialeale |
5,148 feet |
1,569 meters |
| Kalalau Lookout |
4,120 feet |
1,256 meters |
| Haupu |
2,297 feet |
700 meters |
Molokai: |
|
|
| Kamakou |
4,961 feet |
1,512 meters |
| Olokui |
4,606 feet |
1,404 meters |
| Kalaupapa Lookout |
1,600 feet |
488 meters |
Lanai: |
|
|
| Lanaihale |
3,366 feet |
1,026 meters |
Niihau: |
|
|
| Paniau |
1,250 feet |
381 meters |
Kahoolawe: |
|
|
| Puu Moaulanui |
1,483 feet |
452 meters |
| Puu Moaulaiki |
1,434 feet |
437 meters |
|
Whether
you need transportation to and from Honolulu Airport or want a
customized, private tour of Oahu, Island Express Transport covers it
all. 
