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While there are 132 islands in the Hawaiian archipelago (at 2451km (1523mi) long, the world's longest) most are mere pin-pricks of rock, and only seven are inhabited. Each of these, formed through volcanic activity, rose from the bed of the Pacific Ocean over the past 25 million years. This process is still not complete: the Big Island is home to the active volcanoes Kilauea and Mauna Loa, while Maui is home to the world's largest dormant crater, Haleakala. Honolulu, the state capitol, is on O'ahu.
Getting There
Honolulu International Airport (HNL), on the island of Oahu, is a major Pacific hub and an intermediate stop on many flights between the US mainland and Asia, Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific. There's a US$14.50 departure tax on all international flights. If you insist on arriving by sea, the QE II stops in Hawaii in January on its annual world cruise.
Getting Around
Inter-island flights are plentiful between Honolulu (O'ahu) and airports at Lihue (Kauai), Kahului (Maui), Kona and Hilo (Big Island). The main carriers are Aloha Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines; commuter services are run by Island Air and Air Molokai. There are inter-island ferries between Lahaina (Maui) and Manele (Lana'i), and Lahaina and Kaunakakai (Moloka'i). In 2007, the Hawaii SuperFerry will start sailing between O'ahu, Maui, Kauai'i and the Big Island.
O'ahu has a comprehensive bus system, making the island easy to explore by public transport. It will be necessary to hire a car to fully explore the other main islands. Folks in Hawaii drive on the right-hand side of the road and consider horn honking extremely rude unless required for safety. Cycling is a legitimate way of getting around but be prepared for hefty climbs and narrow, traffic-clogged roads.
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