- The basic design of Hawaii's state seal has been in use since 1894, but the legend now reads …
Hawaii is different from other states of the United States in several ways. It is the only state made up entirely of islands. It is the only state ever to have been a monarchy (ruled by a king or queen). It is also the only state in which the majority of the population does not trace its heritage back to Europe. Some of the area's first settlers came from a place called Hawaiki, and it is believed that the state's name was formed from this word. A legend claims that a man named Hawaii Loa discovered the islands. Hawaii is nicknamed the Aloha State. Aloha is a Hawaiian word for love that is used to greet someone and to say good-bye. The capital of Hawaii is Honolulu. GeographyHawaii is made up of about 132 islands and islets. The island chain is located in the Pacific Ocean about 2,400 miles (3,860 kilometers) from the western coast of the United States mainland. The length of the chain is about 1,523 miles (2,451 kilometers). The Hawaiian Islands were formed by volcanos and were built up over millions of years. The eight main islands in the chain (from largest to smallest in area) are Hawaii, Maui, Oahu, Kauai, Molokai, Lanai, Nihau, and Kahoolawe. The island of Hawaii is often called the Big Island, both because of its size and to help distinguish it from the state of Hawaii. Volcanic activity is constantly increasing the island's size. The island includes Kilauea, the world's largest active volcano. To the northwest of the Big Island is Maui. It has many deep canyons and some of the finest beaches in the world. Nearby is Kahoolawe, the smallest of the main islands. No one lives on Kahoolawe. It is often called Target Island because United States military forces use it for target practice. Slightly west of Maui are Molokai and Lanai. Lanai was purchased by the Dole Corporation in 1922, and for decades it was known as Pineapple Island. In the 1990s, however, tourism replaced pineapples as the island's major source of income. - Koolau Range, Oahu, Hawaii.
To the northwest of Molokai is Oahu, the most heavily populated of the Hawaiian Islands. Oahu is sometimes called the Capital Island because the city of Honolulu is located there. Kauai, to the northwest of Oahu, is believed to have been the first of the Hawaiian Islands to emerge from the ocean. Because of its great beauty, Kauai is nicknamed the Garden Island. Niihau is southwest of Kauai. Only native Hawaiians can live on the island, and tourism is not allowed. In 1959 Niihau was the only island to vote against joining the United States. Hawaii is known for its pleasant weather. Despite the state's tropical location, cooling ocean currents keep the climate mild. Plants and animalsAdding to the image of Hawaii as a paradise are the more than 1,700 species of flowering plants and trees that grow there. Many are found only in this state. Wild animals are found on Hawaii, Maui, Oahu, Kauai, Molokai, and Lanai. They include deer, wild goats, and wild pigs. The only land reptiles are small skinks and geckos, commonly called lizards, and toads. The state has about 90 native bird species and more than 20 native land and marine mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. Many of these animals, however, are in danger of becoming extinct. People and cultureThe first people to live in Hawaii were probably Polynesians who sailed from the Marquesas Islands, perhaps as early as AD 400. The current population is made up of many groups, including Caucasians (whites), Japanese, Hawaiians, Filipinos, and Chinese. Many people are of mixed ancestry. RecreationHawaii's beautiful weather lets residents and visitors spend much of their time outdoors. Beaches attract many people. One of the most famous is Waikiki, near Honolulu. Hawaii's national parks and state recreation areas let people see everything from mountains to active volcanoes to rare plants and animals. Hawaii has its own special sports and pastimes. Popular activities include surfboarding, windsurfing, skin diving, and spear fishing. Outdoor Hawaiian feasts, called luaus, feature whole roast pigs cooked over hot rocks in a pit. Entertainment often includes the hula—a dance involving words, rhythm, and gestures. EducationAmerican missionaries set up Hawaii's first schools in the early 19th century. The government took over the school system in the 1840s. The University of Hawaii was founded in 1907. The main campus is in Honolulu. EconomyTourism is the basis of Hawaii's economy. The industry grew quickly after World War II, largely because of improvements in transportation. Hawaii has many military bases, and military spending is the state's second-largest source of income. One of Hawaii's most valuable resources is its soil. Less than a tenth of the land is used for crops, yet agriculture is one of the state's major sources of wealth. Because of the mild climate and fertile soil, the growing season never ends. Sugarcane and pineapples are important crops. Cattle raising is a major source of income, especially on the island of Hawaii. Commercial fishing and the lumber industry are also important. HistoryEarly yearsHawaii was settled more than 1,500 years ago by the Polynesians. The first European to reach the islands was British explorer James Cook, who arrived at Kauai Island in 1778. He called his discovery the Sandwich Islands, honoring the earl of Sandwich. At that time each island was ruled by its own individual chief. By 1810, however, King Kamehameha I had united them under his rule. Missionaries, traders, planters, explorers, and adventurers began arriving on the islands in the 1820s. Sugar and pineapple plantations dominated the islands' economy. Much of Hawaii's land is still owned by descendants of the early planters. Steps to statehoodIn 1858 the Kingdom of Hawaii asked to become part of the United States but was refused. In 1893 a revolution led to the overthrow of the monarchy, which at the time was headed by Queen Liliuokalani. The new government again tried to join the United States and was once again turned down. Instead, a republic with its own president was created in 1894. In 1898 Hawaii finally was accepted by the United States. Hawaii officially became the Territory of Hawaii in 1900, with a governor appointed by the United States president. Pearl HarborOn December 7, 1941, the Japanese attacked United States naval vessels stationed at Pearl Harbor, near Honolulu. As a result of this action the United States entered World War II. The war was an especially tense time for people of Hawaii, who feared further attacks. Many people of Japanese heritage lived in Hawaii. Although a few were confined during the war, most lived regular lives. StatehoodHawaii became a state in 1959, making it the 50th state to be admitted to the Union. Led by a rush in tourism, the state made major economic gains in the second half of the 20th century. Hawaii's economy slowed in the 1990s but began to recover at the beginning of the next decade. Population (2000 census), 1,211,537. |