The Aloha state is famed for frangipani-scented warm sea breezes and beautiful grass-skirted local women welcoming you with vibrant garlands of exotic flowers.

The reality is even more spectacular than the popular image - but the only way to find that out to see for yourself. So do that holiday search and catch the next flight out!

Hawaii is an archipelagic state of the United States, located in the Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental US, south of Alaska and north of Tahiti.

The state encompasses almost the entire volcanic Hawaiian Island chain, which itself is comprised of hundred of islands spread over 1,500 miles. Out of these, the eight largest islands are considered as the main islands and are located at the south-eastern tip of the archipelago.

The main islands are Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Kohoolawe, Maui and Hawaii. The last is often known affectingly by locals as the Big Island, to avoid confusion with the state.

Hawaii Traditions and culture

The native culture of Hawaii is Polynesian and owes its roots to the traditional culture of the Native Hawaiians. As the islands have become home to many different ethnic groups within the last 200 years, each group has given its own idiosyncratic contribution to the rich and diverse cultural fabric of the landscape of Hawaii and influenced its current rich cultural melting pot.

Artworks produced by people of native Hawaiian descent and long-term residents alike include paintings on canvas and quilts. They may be distinctly Hawaiian in subject matter and character or may be indistinguishable from art produced anywhere else in the world.

Most of the art that is currently produced in Hawaii fall into the latter category but will intrigue those who are interested in observing the ways Hawaiian culture manifests itself in the country's creative and artistic heritage.

Hawaii Recommended

There are plenty of museums in and around Hawaii, which showcase the artistic works of the country's islanders.

The various museums display relics from the reign of Kamehameha I, who conquered the Hawaiian Islands and formally established the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1810.

Culture vultures would also do well the visit the East Hawaii Cultural Center, which is operated by the East Hawaii Cultural Council to represent cultural, traditional and creative arts in the islands.

To best savour Hawaii's exquisite scenery, visitors are urged to check out Mauna Kea, the world's largest volcanic mountain, while history and movie buffs can visit the historic site of Pearl Harbor.

Hawaii Weather

Average temperatures vary little from winter to summer, though the period between June and October is the hottest.

Visitors should remember that rainfall is heaviest between December and March, but this is nothing to worry about much.

For surfing enthusiasts, it is best to head out around winter time, as waves are bigger during this period.

Hawaii Destination checklist

Hawaii uses the imperial measurement system and its international dialling code is +1.

Being all the way out in the Pacific, the islands are ten hours behind GMT.

English is the official language of Hawaii so there will probably be no getting away from paying tips, which are expected in cafes, restaurants and the better hotels. The going rate is 15 per cent or more of the bill in restaurants.