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Real Estate & Homes in Hawaii - Hawaii homes and communities
Hawaii
 
Welcome to the Aloha State!
Hawaii was first settled by Polynesians between 300 and 600 A.D. British captain James Cook visited the islands in 1778 and named them the Sandwich Islands. Hawaii was a native kingdom until 1893, when Queen Liliuokalani was deposed. The Republic of Hawaii was established and remained in place until 1900, when Hawaii became a U.S. territory. Although Hawaii didn't become a state until 1959, it has a long history with the United States. The islands have been a major sugar producer since the 1800s. In 1887, a naval base opened at Oahu's Pearl Harbor to protect American interests in the Pacific. The base was the site of the Japanese attack of Dec. 7, 1941, that propelled the United States' entry into World War II. Because of Hawaii's distant location — 2,397 miles southwest of San Francisco — it remained relatively secluded for many years, but advances in transportation have allowed more visitors to experience the islands' beauty. Tourism is a major industry, along with agricultural products such as sugar cane, pineapples, flowers, coffee and macadamia nuts.
 
The 1,523-mile chain of islets has eight main islands: Hawaii, Maui, Lanai, Kahoolawe, Molokai, Oahu, Kauai and Niihau. Hawaii, the "Big Island," is home to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, which includes the active Kilauea Volcano and the famed Mauna Loa. Mauna Kea, on the island's north side, is among the highest peaks in the world. Although Mauna Kea measures at 13,796 feet, it actually stands 33,500 feet from its underwater base in the Hawaiian Trench. Maui, which sits amid two volcanoes, is referred to as the "Valley Island" due to its many canyons. Kapalua Bay, on the west side of the island, is famous for its snorkeling opportunities.
The small island of Lanai, just west of Maui, is a garden paradise encircled by white sandy beaches. The Garden of the Gods on the island's north side resembles a sculptured rock garden. Molokai, once largely a leper colony, is now known for its dense rain forests and deserted beaches. In contrast, Kahoolawe and Niihau, the smallest of the main islands, are dry and largely uninhabited. Oahu is the most commercially developed of the islands. Site of the state capital, Honolulu, the island is home to Waikiki Beach, Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial. Last in the string is Kauai, the mountainous island where James Cook first set foot on Hawaiian soil. Kauai's north shore is home to the National Tropical Botanical Gardens, and Waimea Canyon on the west side was dubbed the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific" by author Mark Twain.
Other points of interest throughout the islands include Haleakala National Park, Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park, the Polynesian Cultural Center, Waimea Canyon, Akaka Falls, Iolani Palace and the Royal Mausoleum. The Hawaiian islands may have been named by Hawaii Loa, their traditional discoverer. They also may have been named after Hawaii or Hawaiki, the traditional home of the Polynesians. More than 1.2 million residents live in Hawaii, which spans 6,423 square miles. In 2000, the median value of owner-occupied housing units was $272,700.
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