If you hear someone say the word “Hawaii”, images of crystal clear waters, clean white sand beaches and fantastic Luaus are sure to flash before your eyes. Each Hawaiian island certainly deserves such associations, but each island has its own personality. In fact, locals affectionately refer to the various islands with a series of semi-official nicknames that encompass some of the unique beauty specific to each island. Let’s go through the islands by nickname and see if we can figure out which island each one describes.

The meeting place:

This island has the largest population of any of the Hawaiian Islands. Famous around the world for places like Waikiki Beach and Pearl Harbor, Gathering Place is, in fact, one of the most popular islands. Host to the NFL Pro-Bowl, Gathering Place’s Aloha Stadium is home to some of the liveliest gatherings in the world. On Sundays, when there are no games, the tailgating takes a more commercial turn as the vendors move in and host the largest swap meet in the state. The University of Hawaii Warriors go to class on this island, but if they want to see Lava, they’ll have to fly to our next island.

The Big Island:

With the most recognizable name, the Big Island may be the easiest island to understand, but it’s certainly not the most specialized. In fact, the diverse climates on the big island range from deserts to snow, from grasslands to lava fields. If we were counting the islands in purely environmental terms, any of the descriptions of the islands could be considered a description of the big island. Current home of Goddess Pele, the Big Island certainly shows signs of her activity. It is home to Mauna Kea, the tallest mountain in the world when measured from its base on the ocean floor to the top of its peak. Some of the most powerful ground-based telescopes in the world can be found on top of the mountains on this island, but if you want to set your sights on something more realistic, you may want to set your sights on our next island.

The target island:

If you want to visit this island, try to get certified for bomb disposal or tropical plant propagation. Target Island was bombed by the US military for years as a test site for various ordinances. Today, conservationists, government officials, volunteers, and students from across the state are working to return the targeted island to its pre-bombed condition. By introducing native Hawaiian plants, the target island may soon need a nickname change, like the next island on our list.

Pineapple Island/The Isolated Island:

Formerly known as a major pineapple exporter, this island’s name has changed over the years as pineapple production declined. 98% of the island is owned by Castle and Cooke, (Dole) and the remaining two percent is owned by the state of Hawaii. Only two luxury hotels are located on the Isolated Island, which made Mr. Bill Gates’ wallet a little easier when he rented out the entire island (every room of every hotel room, every golf course, etc.) for his marriage. with Melinda. French in 1994. The “Garden of the Gods” is located in the northern part of the island, and is home to some strange natural rock formations that certainly do not match the exuberance of the “Gardens” of our next island.

The Garden Island:

Many locals consider this beautiful island to be the most picturesque and lush of Hawaii’s better-known islands. Garden Island is home to Waimea Canyon, which you can easily imagine if you think of a smaller, more tropical Grand Canyon. It’s worth mentioning, since this is the garden island after all, that the mokihana (green berry) is the official designated flower. The most geologically mature of the Hawaiian Islands; Garden Isle enjoys beautiful sandy beaches on fifty percent of its 111-mile-long coastline. At five million years old, Garden Isle is tied for the oldest of the Hawaiian Islands, with our next location.

The Forbidden Island:

The smallest of the Hawaiian Islands, the 2009 census recognized only 120 residents. The Forbidden Island was purchased by Elizabeth Sinclair in 1864 and is now owned by her descendants, the Robinson family. If you want to explore this unique island, make friends with its owners or residents, because entry here is only granted after you have been invited. The Forbidden Island is home to several native Hawaiian plants and animals that can only be found there. The neighboring small islands, simply called the Northwest Hawaiian Islands, are considered bird sanctuaries. Speaking of sanctuary, our next island acted as a kind of safe haven not for birds but for people.

The friendly island:

Shrine to early Hawaiians suffering from Hansen’s disease, the friendly island is perhaps best known for being the home of Hawaii’s only saint. Saint Damien, or Father Damien as he was known in his time, spent most of his life in the Kalaupapa leper colony, alleviating the suffering of those unfortunate enough to suffer from this devastating condition. Friendly Island is perhaps so called because its population is made up of mostly native Hawaiians. On Friendly Isle, no building is taller than the tallest palm tree, and there is not a single traffic light. The world’s tallest sea cliffs and Hawaii’s longest waterfall are here, but Hawaii’s tallest waterfall will be on our next island.

Valley Island:

Home to the second tallest waterfall in the United States, Valley Isle is the site of some of Hawaii’s most beautiful mountain ranges. The world’s largest dormant volcano, Haleakala, is located on Valley Isle. It also has the most square miles of swimmable beach of any of the Hawaiian Islands. Isla del Valle is a blockade year after year as the best island in the world by Condé Nast Traveler magazine, since it has held that distinction for more than a decade. The road to Hana is one of the most scenic drives in the world and has hundreds of turns as it winds through the picturesque valleys of Valley Isle.

Were you able to figure out which islands are which? If not here they are from top to bottom:

Oahu, The Big Island of Hawaii, Kahoolawe, Lanai, Kauai, Niihau, Molokai, Maui.