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Located in the Pacific Ocean, Hawaii is the only island state of the United States, and is the world’s
longest island chain at 1,523 miles (2451 kilometers) in length. The Aloha State is also the
southernmost state and the only state lying within the tropics. It lies approximately 2,400 miles
(3,862 kilometers) from the continental United States. Hawaii consists of 6,423 square miles
(16,635 square kilometers or 1,663,549 hectares) of land, and 4,508 square miles (11,676 square
kilometers or 1,167,567 hectares) covered by water. The state’s total area of 10,932 square miles
(28,314 square kilometers or 2,831,375 hectares) ranks Hawaii 43rd in area among the states.
Additionally, Hawaii boasts 750 miles (1,207 kilometers) of coastline.
The Aloha State is comprised of eight main islands, which are the tops of submerged volcanoes, and
124 small islands and atolls. Hawai'i is the largest island at 4,038 square miles (10,458 square
kilometers or 1,045,837 hectares) and is made of five volcanoes, including the two active volcanoes of
Mauna Loa and Kilauea. The Big Island hosts the state’s highest point, the volcano
Mauna Kea, at 13,796 feet
(4.2 kilometers) above sea level. Maui is an island characterized by several canyons. Kaho’olawe is
the only uninhabited island of the main eight islands, and is located next to Maui. Moloka’i is
comprised of three regions: the eastern region of mountains and canyons, the western dry plateau, and
the central region, which is a fertile area and used for agriculture. Lana’i has most of its land
occupied in pineapple crops. O’ahu is made of the Koolau Range and the Waianae Range; between these
mountains lays a rich plain important for pineapple and sugar. Kaua’i boasts the rainiest locale on
earth located on Mount Waialeale, with an average of 460 inches (1,168 centimeters) of rain per year.
Ni’ihau is a privately owned island and is characterized by a drier climate.
Important rivers in the Aloha State include the Wailua, Waimea, Wailuku, and Anahulu Rivers. There
are many smaller streams and ponds, but no large natural lakes. Most of the islands have waterfalls.
The eight main islands of Hawaii lie within the Tropic of Cancer and therefore experience a true
tropical climate. Climatic influences include latitude, prevailing northeast trade winds, and the
islands’ positions in the Pacific Ocean. There are two seasons: Kau, or summer, lasting from
mid-April until mid-October, and Ho’oilo, or winter, lasting from mid-October to mid-April. Winter
varies from summer primarily due to the weather systems the region experiences. Lower elevations have
temperatures ranging from 72 to 79 degrees F (22.2 to 26.1 degrees C), with few extremes in
temperatures. High elevations above 8,200 feet (2,499 meters) experience more extreme temperatures.
Precipitation falls in the form of rain throughout much of the island, with the wettest months
typically falling within winter from November to April. The windward (north and east) sides of the
islands experience the heaviest rain; leeward (south and west) sides receive considerably less. The
higher elevations of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea receive snow in winter.
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