Hawaii is the only tropical state that lies 2,500 miles from the mainland of United States of America. Over a million people are distributed across its 2,400 km archipelago consisting of nineteen islands and atolls.

The State of Hawaii earned the reputation as the "endangered species capital of the United States". For one, its isolation in the Pacific allows various species of flora and fauna to thrive. It also serves as a melting pot for various ethnic groups, as Hawaii holds the largest percentage of Asian Americans among all states.

Volcanoes emerging from the sea floor gave birth to the Hawaiian Islands. As such Hawaii is the only state that continues to expand due to active lava flows. At the heart of Hawaii is the world's largest volcanic mountain—the Mauna Loa.

As the 50th state since 1959, Hawaii is moving forward, but keeping its bond with its remarkable tradition through the Hawaii State Constitutional Convention of 1978 which decreed the rebirth and preservation of indigenous Hawaiian culture and language.

As it has been for years, Hawaii's main sources of income are the tourism and defense industries, including the defense installation at Pearl Harbor. The state is also home to one of the world's most extravagantly built resort, the Hyatt Regency Waikola. Products like pineapple, sugarcane, macadamia nuts and papayas also lift Hawaii's economy. Furthermore, Hawaii is the sole industrial manufacturer of chocolate and coffee in the U.S.

• Hawaii Vacation Travel Guide