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Hawaii Settled
by Polynesians somewhere in the first millennium, it wasn't until Captain Cook
visited in 1778 that the western world took note of what the British explorer
named them the "Sandwich Islands."
Although
local natives continued to rule Hawaii throughout the 19th century, Queen
Liliuokalani eventually lost her throne to expanding U.S. business interests
as Sanford Dole replaced her as President of the Republic of Hawaii near the turn
of the century. Hawaii
soon became an official U.S. territory and, a few decades later, was the reason
the U.S. entered World War II, following the Japanese attack on an American naval
base near Honolulu at Pearl
Harbor. Today
Hawaii's warm climate, sandy beaches, warm breezes and scenic beauty make it a
vacationer's paradise and immensely popular with honeymooners, surfers, spring
breakers and sun worshipers in general. Comprised
of eight main islands - Hawaii,
Kahoolawe, Maui,
Lanai, Molokai, Oahu,
Kauai, and Niihau - Hawaii's most famous beach, Waikiki,
is located on Oahu's south shore. In
addition to its tropical allure, Hawaii also offers vacation-goers national parks
and historic centers such as the Haleakala
National Park on Maui, the USS
Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor, and Iolani
Palace, the former residence of the islands' last monarchs.
Related
Web Sites:
Go
Hawaii - The
official tourism site chock full of useful info on family vacations, golfing,
wedding & honeymoom planner, art, history & culture plus hotel booking,
dining, weather info and separate guides for each island. Hawaii
Travel | Lonely Planet World Guide - Where to go and what to see including
major and offbeat attractions, history and culture, picture gallery, seasonal
events. Hawaii's
Visitor Guides - The online visitor center with maps, pictures, restaurant
and shopping guides, beach and island overviews. Aloha
from Maui - Top attractions, activities, wedding & honeymoon planner,
maps, pictures, travel tips, and a good backgrounder on Hawaiian culture. The
Oahu Visitors Bureau - The official site featuring facts, information
and pictures of popular golf courses, favorite wedding spots, family fun, sports,
art & culture, hotels & restaurants, plus additional guides to Waikiki,
Honolulu, the Windward Coast and shore areas. Molokai
- The Most Hawaiin Island - Generous helping of info on accommodations,
transportation, visitor activities, a special report on the Kalaupapa Peninsula,
photo tours, FAQ's, weather info, event schedule. Discover
Kauai - The complete guide including island culture, visitor attractions,
parks & beaches, hotels & restaurants, event calendar, related links.
Hawaii
Summer Vacation Calendar:
also see ->
Honolulu | Hawaii
Beaches & Surf Reports | Hawaii
Wineries
Christmas
in Hawaii
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