Hawaii seems to lie in a different world - untouched nature, wherever one looks only. For outdoor enthusiasts there is the paradise where natural beaches, volcanic landscapes and wonderful walking trails. The archipelago of the Hawaiian island consists of eight main islands and more than 100 neighboring islands, which can have various meanings: a tropical playground, a wildlife paradise, or even a geological wonder?

Hawaii is a land of extremes, and very varied: Mount Waialleale on Kauai, with annual rainfall of 1,143 meters, the wettest place on earth. In contrast, the Big Kauwuste to Iceland, which is among the driest in the world.

The tourist season will take

These are the eight main islands of Hawaii:

1) Oahu

If one of the American mainland, according to a 3800 kilometers long flight to Oahu and Honolulu arrives, you end up directly in the valley, which gives the island its butterfly shape. Many tourists stay on this island, which is known for its kilometer long beach of Waikiki, the skyscrapers and, of course Pearl Harbor.

2) Hawaii, Big Iceland

The largest of the Hawaiian Islands provides insights into the origin of the archipelago. The island chain was created by a hotspot in the earth's crust, which expels lava, and can constantly create new land on the depth of rock 5 km below the seabed.

Only 130,000 people live - in contrast to Honolulu is dead trousers. The island often looks dull and boring - especially in the north where is the extinct volcano Mauna Kea.

In the south, however, another contrast: The Volcanoes National Park is waiting in the South provides the active Kilauea volcano. Higher is the Mauna Loa - it is 4103 meters, the highest volcano on earth. But the Kileau is not explosive, it just flows a thick lava flows out of him.

3) Maui - the flower island

Maui is also known as flower island. Many Paarchen come here in search of a tropical paradise - and many find it here too. The Haleakala National Park is one such place.

4) Lanai and 5), Molokai

The two smallest islands are mysterious and very Hawaiian and only sparsely developed for tourism. Lanai, there are now as a private island a name - because the golfers love this island.

6) Kauai

Kauai is the greenest of all the islands. The Napali Coast is a must for all walkers - here you will find the most dramatic cliff formations of all Hawaii. The Waimea Canyon can be great to explore on foot - he is considered the Grand Canyon of Hawaii. For snorkeling, diving and sunbathing is bursting with beaches, such as the Hanalei Beach.

7) Niihau

This is purely a private island and not accessible to the public. Only locals, officials of the Government and isolated U.S. Navy members are allowed to enter the island. Will they be invited by the locals open up here, the deepest insights into the Hawaiian culture.

8) Kahoolawe

The island of Kahoolawe is located seven miles southwest of Maui and is uninhabited. For a long time, the U.S. military used the island for bombing tests. This naturally pleased the locals not, however, until the end of the 70th. Today the island and the waters around the island is a nature reserve.