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Hawaii is the favorite island paradise for both US mainlanders and visitors from around the world. The islands offer wonderful beachside resorts, diverse activities and a casual atmosphere that's perfect for newlyweds. You can choose to take in the amazing natural sites, enjoy unique cultural specialties like a luau or just relax together on any one of the 6 main islands.

Hawaii became the 50th US state in 1959 and lies 1470 miles north of the equator and 2500 miles southwest of North America. Hawaii is 128 islands with 6 as destinations: Oahu, Maui, Kauai, the Big Island (Hawaii), Molokai and Lanai. The islands stretch over 1500 miles from Kure Atoll in the northwest to the Big Island in the southwest. The islands are the tips of massive mountains, formed by molten rock that has been flowing for 25 million years. The Big Island, Hawaii's southernmost, is still being formed today by its most active volcano, Kilauea. In the ocean, Hawaiian monk seals, dolphins and whales are year-round residents. Migrating humpback whales make a stop around the islands as well.

Hawaii, as an island paradise, is packed with water sports and recreational activities. Surfing is the most popular but also difficult for tourists to pick up. Unless you're an expert, you may be better off just watching the great waves. Beginners can learn the basics at Waikiki and watch the professionals on Oahu's North Shore. Maui is known for windsurfing, as international competitions are held at Hookipa Beach. Diving is good year-round and the Big Island's Kona Coast is the gateway to deep-sea fishing for Pacific blue marlin, yellowfin tuna and spearfish. For land-loving honeymooners,you can hike on the trails in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Haleakala National Park and along Kauai's Na Pali Coast.

Although Hawaii's busiest tourist season is during winter (December to February), this has more to do with the weather elsewhere, since many visitors are snowbirds escaping cold winters back home. You don't find much nicer weather anywhere in the world. Near the coasts, which you almost always are, average highs are a pleasant 80ºF (27ºC), and the difference between summer and winter temperatures is only 10ºF. The rainiest period is between December and March. It also matters on which side of the islands you are. In general, the driest, sunniest conditions and the calmest waters are on the southwestern side of the islands. The northeastern side of the islands receives decent rainfalls.

More Hawaii resources at Amazon.com.

Getting married in Hawaii is easy. Aside from applying for your marriage license in person, there is no residency period nor waiting period. The license is valid statewide for thirty days. The fee is $50 cash, payable to the agent. Both partners must be over the age of eighteen. Birth certificates are not required, but a driver's license or other form of identification should be brought to the licensing appointment. If either partner has been married before, he or she will have to state the date, county and state (or country) in which the divorce was finalized for each previous marriage. The license also requires the names of each partner's parents and the places where they were born.

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