The State of Hawaii is located on an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, far southwest of the continental United States. It encompasses nearly the entirety of the volcanic Hawaiian Island chain, which is made up of hundreds of islands spread over 2,400 kilometres. The island of Hawai'i is the largest, and is often called the “Big Island” to avoid confusion with the state as a whole. Hawaii's tallest mountain, Mauna Kea stands at over 4,000 metres and is taller than Mount Everest if followed to the base of the mountain, which lies on the floor of the Pacific Ocean.

The climate of Hawaii is more subtropical than tropical due to its remote location in the Pacific. Weather conditions tend to be fairly consistent, with little temperature variation. Hawaii's summer runs from May through October and has pleasant temperatures and low humidity, with average highs of 28°C. Yet blissful Hawaii is also beautiful to visit during the winter months from November through April, as temperatures rarely fall below 18°C. The climate of each Hawaiian island differs according to their geographic location, as areas on the windward side experience more rain and cloud cover because of the prevailing trade winds. As a result, most of the Hawaiian resorts are built downwind, providing tourists with the added benefit of more sunshine.

Capital City: Honolulu

Currency: US Dollars (USD)

Language(s) Spoken: English and Hawaiian

Hawaii is typically a destination for tourists when the weather is miserable - in Canada, that is December through March. Best rates are available in the off-season (April to June and September to December) and are the best seasons to visit Hawaii if you're interested in great weather and lush foliage.

• Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Big Island
• Haleakala National Park, Maui
• Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, Oahu
• Kilauea National Wildlife Refuge, Kauai
• Panaewa Rainforest Zoo, Big Island