One of the questions How Many Islands in Hawaii? Hawaii consists of eight major islands, including Hawai’i Island, Maui, O’ahu, Kaua’i, Moloka’i, Lana’i, Niihau, and Kaho’olawe. Each island has a distinct personality and set of attractions. The island of Hawai’i is home to the active Kilauea volcano and beaches with black sand.
Haleakala National Park and the scenic Road to Hana are well-known for their breathtaking sunrises on Maui. O’ahu is home to Honolulu, the state capital, as well as iconic landmarks such as Pearl Harbor and Diamond Head. From Waimea Canyon and the magnificent Na Pali Coast, Kaua’i offers breathtaking views.
Moloka’i is renowned for its tranquil environment and historic Hawaiian locations. Lana’i is home to secluded luxury resorts and off-road excursions. Ni’ihau is a privately owned island with restricted visitor access, whereas Kaho’olawe is uninhabited owing to previous military testing. This article provides information on How Many Islands in Hawaii?
8 Best Islands in Hawaii
1. Hawaii
Hawaii, also known as the “Big Island,” is not only the largest island in the archipelago but also the largest island in the United States. Despite its enormous extent, it is home to only 13% of Hawaii’s population.
Mauna Kea is one of the most notable landmarks in Hawaii. It is the world’s highest mountain when measured from the seafloor base, despite its total height being only 13,803 feet above sea level. The island also contains dozens of beaches, fourteen state parks, and four national parks. Due to the vast size of the island, Hawaii has eight distinct climate zones.
2. Maui
Maui is the second-largest of the Hawaiian Islands. On Maui, Skyline Eco-Adventures has two excursion locations. In fact, we established the first commercial zipline tour in the United States outside of Haleakala National Park on Maui in 2001. This course remains one of our most popular and award-winning zipline courses. We also have an outstanding zipline course near the Ka’anapali resort area.
Haleakala National Park and the Road to Hana are Maui’s most well-known historic sites. Maui’s climate varies greatly across the island’s regions. Due to the difference in elevation, some regions are balmy, tropical, and lush, while others, such as Upcountry Maui, are drier and can be chilly at times.
3. Oahu
You are a first-time visitor to Hawaii. Then you should visit Oahu as your first island in the state. Oahu, commonly referred to as Honolulu, is the perfect location to begin your Hawaiian vacation.
Oahu is home to magnificent beaches as well as numerous historic sites, including the Iolani Palace – the nineteenth-century native residence of Hawaii’s last monarch – and the Pearl Harbour Memorial.
4. Kauai
Kauai is the fourth largest island in terms of total area, measuring 562 square miles. This island is reportedly the oldest of the eight main ones. The highest point of Kauai is 5,243 feet above sea level and is surrounded by cliffs and mountainous terrain. Lihue Airport (LIH), located on the southeast edge of the island, is the primary airport.
5. Molokai
Molokai is a smaller, more desolate island measuring 260 square miles in total. In fact, if the weather is clear enough, Molokai, which is only 25 miles from Oahu, can see Oahu and Lanai. The Kaiwi Channel can be traversed to reach and depart from Oahu. Molokai is also a volcanic island with two main east-west ridges, but these volcanoes are no longer active.
6. Lanai
Lanai, also known as the “Pineapple Isle”, is the sixth-largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago. The roughly apostrophe-shaped Lanai Island is separated from Molokai Island in the north by the Kalohi Channel and from Maui Island in the east by the Auau Channel. The island has a population of 3,131 as of the 2010 census and is the smallest publicly accessible inhabited island in the Hawaiian island chain.
7. Niihau
Niihau is the seventh-largest and westernmost island in the Hawaiian archipelago. It is also known as the “Forbidden Isle” Located approximately 28.2 kilometers southwest of Kauai across the Kaulakahi Channel is the island.
Numerous endemic species, including the Hawaiian coot, Hawaiian duck, and Hawaiian stilt, depend on the island’s numerous playa lakes for wetland habitat. The island is privately held by the Robinson family, and tourists are only permitted a limited number of hunting safaris and supervised activity tours.
8. Kahoolawe
The island of Kahoolawe, also known as the “Target Isle,” is the smallest of the eight major islands in the Hawaiian archipelago. It has a surface area of only 115.5 square kilometers. Due to the dearth of fresh water, the island lacks permanent inhabitants. During World War II, the US military utilized the island of Kahoolawe as a training site and bombing range. Currently, only native Hawaiians utilize the island for cultural and spiritual purposes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the highest natural point in Hawaii?
Mauna Kea, located on the Big Island (Hawaii island), is the highest natural point in the entire Hawaiian archipelago.
What month is the cheapest to visit Hawaii?
The least expensive time to visit Hawaii is between February and March. This is the low season during Hawaii’s extremely mild “winter”; consequently, there are fewer vacationers and prices are lower. For the most affordable Hawaiian vacation, plan your trip for February or early to mid-March (before Spring Break).
What are the names of the 7 Hawaiian islands?
There are 137 islands in Hawaii, but only seven of the eight major ones are inhabited. The 7 primary Hawaiian islands are Oahu, Maui, Hawaii (Big Island), Kauai, Molokai, Lanai, and Niihau. Kahaoolawe is the eighth largest island in Hawaii, but it is illegal to visit unless you have a valid volunteer opportunity.
Which Hawaiian island is the most beautiful?
Kauai is widely regarded as the most scenic and gorgeous Hawaiian island to visit. This island is covered with rain forests, numerous expansive beaches, breathtaking cliffs, canyons, and the Sleeping Giant mountain ridge. This is the finest location to experience breathtaking landscapes untouched by tall buildings.
Which is the cheapest Hawaiian island to visit?
Oahu is the least expensive Hawaiian island to visit. As the largest and most frequented island, there are always an abundance of hotels, stores, restaurants, and public transportation, which drives down prices. While Oahu is known for being the most urbanized and modern island, it still offers a blend of tropical natural beauty and contemporary amenities.
Which Hawaiian island has the best beaches?
Oahu has the most beautiful coastlines in Hawaii. There are ample opportunities for sunbathing, swimming, snorkeling, windsurfing, and watercraft along Oahu’s 227 miles of coastline. Oahu’s calmer waters are ideal for families and leisurely floating along the shore.
