What is special about Hawaii compared to other states?
Like Alaska, Hawaii borders no other U.S. state. It is the only U.S. state not in North America, and the only one completely surrounded by water and entirely an archipelago. In addition to the eight main islands, the state has many smaller islands and islets.
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One of world's longest island chains, Hawaii is the only U.S. state completely made up of islands. But only 7 of its 132 islands are inhabited: Hawaii (also known as the Big Island), Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Oahu, Kauai, and Niihau. The Hawaiian Islands are volcanic islands.
Hawaii is known for its beautiful beaches—some of them with unusual colors. Many beaches are filled with white sand, but other Hawaiian shores are covered with green, red, pink, and even black sand. Whether you like hiking, biking, kayaking, sailing, swimming, or just sitting on the beach, Hawaii is the state for you.
The majority of people living in Hawaii are of Asian descent while island natives make up the third-largest swath of the population. That means three cultures have fused on the islands to make it a true melting pot.
Hawaii's No. 1 ranking comes from various factors, including a relatively low obesity rate, a large percentage of adults engaging in leisure-time physical activites, a relatively low percentage of adults with high cholesterol and good eating habits.
Relaxation and natural beauty are the top draws. Known for its active volcanoes, wildlife refuges, and tall active peaks, it's little wonder that 88% of our respondents cite natural beauty as a reason for visiting Hawaii. Relaxing by the beach is the second most popular reason for visiting.
The Hawaiian islands, located in the center of the Pacific, provided a strategic location for a U.S. military base and would help to establish the U.S. as a world superpower.
Often called the Crossroads of the Pacific, the state is strategically important to the global defense system of the United States and serves as a transportation hub of the Pacific basin. Finally, Hawaii is a cultural centre and a major tourist mecca.
The Hawaiian Islands were literally created from lots of volcanoes—they're a trail of volcanic eruptions. Hot-spot volcanism can occur in the middle of tectonic plates. That's unlike traditional volcanism, which takes place at plate boundaries.
The truth is, Hawaii is consistently ranked as the most expensive state in the United States due to high housing, energy, transportation and food costs. Don't be discouraged—that doesn't mean it's completely out of reach for a buyer looking for their slice of paradise.