Hawaii Fact 21 of 50: Hawaii’s Northwestern and Southeastern Islands

When we think of Hawaii, we generally think of the eight major islands stretching from the Big Island to Kauai. So, it may come as a surprise that there are dozens more islands and atolls of Hawaii dotted northwest of Kauai.

The eight major islands from Kauai to the Big Island are known as the Southeastern Windward Islands which span across 350 miles (approximately).  Beyond Kauai, there are many smaller, uninhabited islands, called the Northwestern Leeward Islands, which stretch across more than 800 miles on the Pacific Ocean.

Here’s a satellite view of both the Northwestern and Southeastern Islands of Hawaii.

Sources:

• Northwest Hawaiian Islands Multi-Agency Education Project
• Hawaiian Islands on Wikipedia