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Hawaii was first explored by Captain James Cook in 1778.

Throughout the following centuries, Hawaii arose from inter-island tribal warring to a completely unified kingdom before it became an official U.S. territory at the turn of the 20th century. It was decades later before the islands entered the Union as the 50th State, on August 21, 1959.

Today, with its relative isolation from the mainland, Hawaii's notoriously high cost of living still does not stop those who visit the lush tropical islands from dreaming of moving or retiring here some day.

The rich and famous - Oprah Winfrey among them - are the lucky few who own villas or vacation homes here, but for many of us Hawaii remains a truly great place to visit ...

• Honolulu City Lights

  Demographics : (Hawaii Census Data)
  Major cities: Honolulu (capital) Hilo, Kailua, Kaneohe, Waipahu
  Population : 1,285,498
  Asian : 41.5%
  White : 26.8%
  Native Hawaiian : 9.0%
  Black, African American : 2.3%
  Hispanic : 8.0%
  High school graduates : 84.6%
  Bachelor's degree or higher : 26.2%
  Average household income: $51,359
  
  
• Crime : see Crime Statistics for Hawaii
  
  
• Cost of Living: Compared to the rest of the country, Hawaii's cost of living is 52.60% higher than the U.S. average. Hawaii is known for its relatively high per capita state tax burden, contributing to both higher prices and the perception of an unfriendly business climate.
  
  
• Property Taxes : Hawaii's Tax Climate - Hawaii is one of the 13 states that collect no state-level property taxes, meaning its per capita property tax collections equaled $571 for all levels of government in FY 2004, ranking it 42nd nationally.
  
  
• Housing & Real Estate Overview : also see Zillow - Hawaii Real Estate
  Home ownership rate : 56.5%
  Average home price: $565,345
  Average travel time to work : 26 minutes
  
  
• Schools : see Hawaii Department of Education
  
  
• Weather : Typically described as tropical, the general climate is more subtropical due to the cooling effect of the surrounding ocean. Summer temperatures seldom reach above the upper 80s °F, and winter temperatures seldom dip below the mid-60s. At high elevations, snow is not uncommon on the higher elevations of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa on the Big Island.

More about moving to Hawaii around the Web:

Relocation to Hawaii - Information on Moving to Hawaii - Hawaii.com guide with island profiles, local customs, the island's public & private schools, and help with finding a home including house market tips and suggested realtors & mortgage lenders.

How to Move to Hawaii - Good, general insider tips on moving your possessions long distance, plus advice on house and apartment hunting, cost of living, finding a job, and local culture.

Honolulu Board of Realtors - Detailed guide to the island's real estate market with consumer information, property tax data, current mortgage rates, lists of homes and condos for sale, and a searchable database of approved realtors.

Maui Chamber of Commerce - Real Estate - Island real estate information, related stats & figures, links & resources.

Hawaii Real Estate, Apartments & Job Classifieds:

• Honolulu : Hawaii News
• Hilo : Hawaii Tribune-Herald

Hawaii Real Estate Map:

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also see -> Hawaii Beaches | Hawaii Eviction Laws

Hawaii Taxes | Hawaii Tourist Attractions

Honolulu Tourist Attractions | Christmas in Hawaii

Hawaii Kids Party Locations