Hawaiian Islands:
Situated in the central part of the Pacific Ocean, Hawaii is the only island state of America with total land area of 6,423 square miles (or 16,637 square kilometers). Hawaiian Islands became an America territory in 1898. When Statehood was declared in 1959, Hawaii became the fiftieth state of America whose capitol is Honolulu.
Population:
According to most recent statistics released by U.S. Census Bureau, the resident population of Hawaii was 1,360,301 in 2010.
Geography:
Hawaii is a 1,523-mile long chain of islands and islets that sit in central Pacific Ocean, consisting of eight major islands, and 124 minor islands, shoals and reefs. The eight major islands are Oahu, Maui, Big Island, Kauai, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe (un-inhabited), and Niihau.
Language:
Both English and Hawaiian are officially recognized languages here. Hawaiian language is one of the Polynesian dialects, spoken only by Hawaiian natives. This language consists of only 13 alphabets.
Time Zone:
Hawaii is two hours behind of Pacific Standard Time (PST) zone for the Pacific US continental coast, or five hours behind Eastern Standard Time (EST) zone which is the Atlantic US continental coast. (Note: Hawaii does not have Daylight Saving Time for the summer months.)
Taiwan time is 18 hours ahead of Hawaii.
Climate:
The Hawaiian Islands enjoy a moderate tropical climate with gentle northeasterly tradewinds and warm Pacific waters almost year-round. During the summer season, the average daytime temperature is 85 degrees Fahrenheit. During the winter season, the average temperature is 78 degrees.
Major holidays:
New Year's Day
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Chinese New Year
Presidents' Day
Prince Kuhio Day
Memorial Day
King Kamehameha Day(
Independence Day
Statehood Day
Labor Day
Columbus Day
Veterans' Day
Thanksgiving
Christmas
Drinking water:
The quality of tap water from the faucet is superior and safe for drinking. Bottled mineral water is available at supermarkets.
Trasportation on Oahu:
The bus system provides punctual and reliable service, generally covering the metropolitan Honolulu area. Their routes and timetables are easily available at various designated points, or simply dial 848-5555 for related information. The monthly pass ($ 40 dollars) offers unlimited rides, while a single journey costs $2 dollars. A free transfer ticket may be requested from the driver for a connecting ride, to be used within two hours. The front two-row seats are usually reserved for handicaps.
For those who need taxicabs, please refer to the yellow pages of the local telephone book. The passengers are recommended to pay tips in addition to the fare shown on the meter.
For those who wish to drive in Hawaii, please consult the relavent website of city DMV on licensing requirements. You are advised to have your international driver's license ready before traveling.
Air Transportation:
Currently, China Airlines provides direct flights between Honolulu and Taipei twice a week, and five flights via Tokyo per week. In addition, passengers from Taipei can also fly with Japan Airlines, United Airlines or Northwest Airlines to Honolulu, with a stopover in Japan.
Local address and telephone number of China Airlines in Honolulu:
1600 Kapilani Blvd. Suite 1410
Honolulu, HI 96814
TEL:(808)951-0088
Hotels:
There are over 71,000 hotel rooms in the entire State. On Oahu alone, the number reaches 36,000, mostly concentrated in Waikiki and adjacent areas.
Recreation:
Known for beautiful white sandy beaches and pristine water quality, the islands not only attract swimming, surfing and scuba lovers from different parts of the world, but Hawaii is also noted as a "paradise of golfers" with about 80 golf courses to choose from. World class cuisines, particularly seafood, and shopping are always delightful experiences for all visitors.
Major general hospitals in Honolulu:
Queen's Medical Center：
1301 Punchbowl St.
Honolulu, HI 96813
TEL: (808)538-9011
St. Francis Medical Center：
2230 Liliha St.
Honolulu, HI 96817
TEL: (808)547-6011
Kuakini Medical Center：
347 N. Kuakini St.
Honolulu, HI 96817
TEL: (808)536-2236
Points of Interest:
1. Waikiki
2. The King Kamehameha Statue
3. Iolani Palace
4. State Capitol Building
5. Bishop Museum
6. Honolulu Zoo
7. Waikiki Aquarium
8. Foster Botanical Garden
9. Polynesian Cultural Center
10. Hanauma Bay
11. Pear Harbour & Arizona Memorial
Local Chinese media:
To keep informed of domestic news about Taiwan, local Chinese communities in Hawaii may subscribe to the Chinese language programs through Oceanic Time Warner Television, or install a satellite dish to receive video broadcasts offered by ET Television Co. or Phoenix Television Co. Chinese language newspapers, such as World Journal Daily, Sing Tao Daily or Hawaii Chinese News bi-weekly, also provide comprehensive news coverage about Taiwan as well as Taiwanese activities in Hawaii.
Chinese Community Broadcasting Inc.：
Chinatown Cultural Plaza, Rm #206
100 N. Beretania St.
Honolulu, HI 96817
TEL: (808)523-7623
FAX: (808)521-0764
World Journal：
Chinatown Cultural Plaza, #129-35
100 N. Beretania St.
Honolulu, HI 96817
TEL: (808)524-8886
FAX: (808)535-1585
Sing Tao Daily：
Chinatown Cultural Plaza, #203A
100 N. Beretania St.
Honolulu, HI 96817
TEL: (808)531-8930
FAX: (808)533-3077
Hawaii Chinese News bi-weekly (Tam Bao)：
90 N. King St. #202,
Honolulu, HI 96817
TEL: (808)952-6700
FAX: (808)952-6701
State of Hawaii office in Taipei:
Executive Director: Mr. Alex Lei
Taipei World Trade Center Exhibition Hall
5 Hsin-yi Road, Section 5 Room 7G-07
Taipei, Taiwan
TEL: 886-2-2723-0017
FAX: 886-2-2723-0229
E-mail: AlexLei_Taiwan@dbedt.hawaii.gov
Hawaii Tourism Authority in Taipei:
Representative: Mr. Jemy See
Website: http://www.gohawaii.org.tw
No. 51 Hsin-yi Road, Section 2, Suite 806
Taipei, Taiwan
TEL: 886-2-2377-4930 ext12
FAX: 886-2-2377-4375
E-mail: jemysee@ gohawaii.org.tw
