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Researched by Mary Michael
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The Aloha State
Hawaii has much “Aloha” spirit, which is why many people love to tour
Hawaii. The word Aloha (a Native Hawaiian word), means, “love,
kindness, and greetings.” Many islanders today use it to say, ”hello,”
and, “goodbye.” Hawaiians also share the islands with “newcomers” or
“tourists.” Hawaii has 8 main islands (but all together there are 300
very small islands that make up Hawaii’s islands). Although, these
islands are very small, except for the big island it self (Hawaii).
Scientists said that the big island is very large. If you put all the
small islands together, it would not measure up to the size of the big
island. Largest Cities
The largest cities are all located on Oahu except for Hilo, which is located on the big island, Hawaii. There are 10 cities listed as the largest cities for the state of Hawaii. There is Honolulu, the state’s capitol, Waipahu, and Waimalu. There is also Kailua, Wahiawa, and Kaneohe. The last 3 are Schofield Barracks, Pearl City, and Mililani Town.
Leis, Luaus, and Hula
Leis are Hawaii’s traditional necklaces that are used for greeting visitors and tourists to the island. People make the leis by picking flowers and delicately stringing them.
Hula dancing is a very important thing in Hawaii. Men and women dance the hula on each of the islands. Men and women also dance the hula to tell stories to everybody who is willing to watch them. They use their arms, legs, feet, and most importantly hips to tell these stories. The hula is also a very fun thing for the children of Hawaii to learn.
Luaus are like big feasts in Hawaii. They cook a pig in an underground oven, and eat it as the main dish for this feast. They also eat poi, which is made by smashing taro root (a herb which people like to eat) into paste. Most of the time, at luaus, the people who greet you give you a necklace (most likely to be made of flowers or shells). For entertainment at most luaus, men and/or women dance the hula, to tell the visitors, “Welcome!”
Surfing
Surfing, is one of the most important sports in Hawaii. In fact, surfing started in Hawaii. Surfing championships are held around November or December, when the waves are at their largest. Men and women from Hawaii would surf on koa wood, which is a type of wood taken from a native tree. The north shore of Oahu, has the world’s BEST surfing beaches.
Aloha Stadium
Like most places with college teams, Hawaii has a football stadium called the Aloha Stadium on Oahu. Every year on Christmas day, two college teams play in the Aloha Bowl held at this stadium. What better entertainment at halftime than Hula dancers shaking their hips to the beat of the music for all of the tourists coming to watch the game! Another game played at the Aloha Stadium is the pro bowl. It is played by the best pro league football players, this game is usually played around February
The Land
Hawaii is the only U.S state that is not located in North America. It’s in the Pacific Ocean. It is 6,425 square miles. Hawaii is about 2,720 miles away from Yakima. Hawaii is made up of 132 islands, but has 8 main islands. About 90% of Hawaiians live in or near Hawaii’s cities. About 75% live in cities on Oahu. Oahu holds 9 of Hawaii’s 10 largest cities! It is the most remote place on earth as it is over 2,500 miles from land in any direction.
Volcanic Mountains
Volcanoes are very important to Hawaii’s existence. In fact volcanoes formed all of Hawaii’s islands. Long ago the volcanoes pushed up from the ocean floor and now they are in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park posing as Hawaii’s beautiful mountains. Mauna Kea is a famous volcano in Hawaii. It is also the only dormant volcano Hawaii has (dormant means non active). Mauna Kea is located on the big island (Hawaii) and has not erupted for 4,000 years. It is even the big island’s highest point. It rises 13,796ft above sea level. Aside from the dormant volcano there are also two volcanoes that are active. There is Kilauea and Mauna Loa. Since 1983, Kilauea has been erupting at unexpected times. Mauna Loa has also been erupting unexpectedly, but only since 1984. Both of these active volcanoes are located in Hawaii’s Volcanoes National Park.
Coastline And Beaches
Hawaii’s coastline is very, very long and yet each bit of the coastline is beautiful. It is 1,052 miles long and Laua Cliffs stand on parts of this coastline. Most of Hawaii’s coastlines are sprinkled in golden brown, beautiful, sandy beaches. Oahu holds one of Hawaii’s most famous beaches, Waikiki, which is very close to Honolulu. Hawaii (the big island) also has black and green sand beaches. The reason for these beaches’ odd coloring is that sand is made up of crushed rock, usually, but instead of rock these beaches are made up of crushed, rock-like, lava made from the eruptions.
Valleys, Rain forests, and Deserts
Valleys-Between Hawaii’s mountains, you will find valleys, and in these valleys you will find taro. Taro grows near streams. Taro is quite important for animals like Cows and sheep, which graze on Taro.
Rain forests- 40% of the Hawaiian Islands are covered in rain forests. Some of the trees that grow in these rain forests are, the lehua, the koa, and tree ferns (that are particularly large).
Deserts- yes, there are deserts in Hawaii. Actually some of the towns in Hawaii’s islands are deserts. One of them is called the, “Garden Of The Gods,” which is a desert on Lanai. There are many lava rocks shaped into very odd figures in this desert.
Streams and Waterfalls
Hawaii has many bodies of water, because it is located in a body of water, the Pacific Ocean. Many streams flow through Hawaii, coming from Hawaii’s beautiful mountains, and emptying into the ocean (streams flow across the waterfalls to get to the ocean). One of Hawaii’s longest rivers,Wailuku, is located on the Big Island. The waterfalls of Hawaii often have their own little pools of water at the bottom.
Wildlife
When the original settlers arrived in Hawaii, there was barely any wildlife at all. The only sign of wildlife were bats and seals. This was because the land was so far away from all the rest of the continents. When more and more settlers came they brought animals, all of different species, because of that, the animal population went up. Honeycreepers, coots, and nenes, are just 3 of Hawaii’s many unique birds.
Climate
Mild, sunny weather usually warms Hawaii all year long. The winds that tumble in come from the northeast. Hawaii usually has a temperature of 75° Fahrenheit (24° Celsius). On the northeast side of each Hawaiian island, there is more rainfall. Mt. Waialeale is located on Kauai. It is the wettest place on earth. Waialeale gets about 38ft and 4in of rainfall each year. On the western side of the islands, VERY strong windstorms rush in. An example would be, on 1992, “Hurricane Iniki” cost Kauai two billion dollars in damage that would soon need to be repaired.
Hawaii’s People
Many people who live in Hawaii have different backgrounds, including
Polynesian, Asian, European, African, American, or Japanese.
Intermarriage between two different ethnic groups is a very common
thing in Hawaii. Around 60% of Hawaiian children have mixed ethnic
parents or backgrounds. Asian Americans
Around 62% of Hawaiians are Asian Americans. Hawaii has the most Asian Americans of any US state. Most of these people have Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, or Korean backgrounds. Most Asians came to Hawaii around 1850-1920. The Asian Americans worked hard in Hawaii’s sugarcane and pineapple plantations (large farms.) Finally, when the plantations closed, Asian Americans opened up shops and restaurants. Chinese Americans today are some of Hawaii’s top business people.
Other Ethnic Groups
About 7% of Hawaii’s population is made up of Hispanic Americans. About 1/3 of them are Puerto Ricans. African Americans form a very small amount of the population, about 2%.
Caucasian Residents of Hawaii
Today, about 33% of Hawaii’s residents have white skin. Hawaii, the state, holds the smallest percentage of white skinned people in the U.S. In the 1800’s, Caucasian families came to Hawaii. Most were plantation owners or missionaries (from the U.S). Some business people also came from England, Germany, Portugal, and Scotland. Many of the Portuguese and Scottish citizens became managers of plantations. Many light skinned people from the U.S. mainland still come to Hawaii for jobs, and some just retire in Hawaii and take the rest of life’s journey in this beautiful habitat.
Native Hawaiians
Today only 9% of Hawaii’s people are Native Hawaiians, also known as Hawaii’s “first people”. They came from the Polynesian islands out in the Pacific Ocean. Only 1,000 Hawaiians are 100% native Hawaiian, because of intermarriage. Oahu holds the most Native Hawaiians of all the islands. Only half of Molokai’s people are native Hawaiians. About 95% of Niihau’s population (about 250 people) are Native Hawaiians. Recently, Native Hawaiians have become more active in the government offices. In 1986, John Waihee was elected Hawaii’s first Native Hawaiian governor.
Hawaiian Language
Most of the people on Hawaii actually speak Hawaiian. Although some speak Chinese, Japanese, and some other languages too. The Hawaiian Alphabet only has 12 letters in it. Those letters include, the 5 vowels, A, E, I, O, and U. Also the 7 consonants, H, K, L, M, N, P, and W. The Hawaiian alphabet was and still is an oral tradition. The Hawaiian alphabet, (paipo) was written in the 19th century by missionaries. The Hawaiian language is now an official language. Although the vowels in the Hawaiian alphabet look the same as the vowels in the American alphabet, they sound differently. The A sounds like the “a” in above. The E sounds like the “e” in bet. The O sounds like the “o” in sole. Now, the I and the U are different from all the rest. The I sounds like the “ee” in see. As for the U, it sounds like the “oo” in moon.
Changes Come to Hawaii
In 1820 missionaries, who came from the US, converted many Hawaiians to become Christian. These People (missionaries) even made the women of Hawaii wear long dresses, called muumuus. Also, the special native dance of Hawaii (called the hula), and wearing the leis Hawaiians loved so much (and welcomed guests with), where not allowed. Then European and US whaling ships later arrived in Hawaii, they rested in some of the Hawaiian ports. When the sailors decided to leave some decided to stay in Hawaii. Another change that entered Hawaii was when a US company came to Hawaii, and started a sugarcane plantation. This happened in Kauai, in 1835. By the time the 1890’s rolled around, US and European settlers decided to start pineapple plantations of their own. The pineapple plantations needed many hard working, good, employees to take care of them. From China, Korea, Japan, and the Philippines came thousands of people who were willing to live up to these standards. Soon enough, all the Asian workers outnumbered Native Hawaiians.
The Republic of Hawaii
European and US planters gained land in Hawaii slowly. These planters bought most land from the Native Hawaiians. They also changed laws, for their own benefit. The settlers/planters also got elected to the government offices. During the year of 1881, Hawaii’s only ruling queen came to power. This queen’s name was Queen Liliuokalani (pronounced as lee-lee-oo-oh-kah-lah-nee). She tried to change the laws back to how they were, and she also wanted, so badly, to rule again. She would have to take it from the planters and return to the throne. The US and European citizens found out and overpowered her in 1893, then immediately set up the Republic of Hawaii (Republic: A country with elected officials).
The United States Gains Hawaii
When 1898 came around, the US annexed Hawaii (Annex: To take control of another country). In the year 1900, Hawaii was marked as a US territory. The people of Hawaii then became citizens of Hawaii. The Military built lots of bases on the island of Oahu. Then, in 1908, the US built the “naval base” (on Oahu) in Pearl Harbor. During the years of 1914-1918 World War I broke out. Pearl Harbor then became a seaplane base. Hundreds and thousands of Hawaiian and US citizens fought for the United States in the first World War.
World War II
World War II started in 1939. The US tried as hard as they could to stay out of this war, but on December 7, 1941, the Japanese came in planes and bombed Pearl Harbor (on Oahu). The very next day, the United States declared war with the Japanese. During this war, 400,000 sailors and soldiers were stationed in Hawaii. Many people thought that during the war, the 140,000 Japanese residents would help Japan win the war. This was a fear to many people, but it did not happen. It turned out, that about 4,300 Japanese Americans helped the US by becoming soldiers. They also helped by defeating the Japanese army in 1945.
The 50th state
In 1959, Hawaii became the 50th state in the United States. Because of this Hawaii changed a lot. Its population doubled, sugar and pineapple production has decreased largely, and tourism is now the leading job/business for Hawaii. Many resort owners cut down trees to build new resorts. Roads were also put in where the beautiful mother-nature once lived. These people also filled in wetlands. The process of the “new Hawaii” was starting to hurt Hawaiian wildlife and land. Now, the people of Hawaii are working together to protect Hawaii. Some Native Hawaiians are even working harder to regain land that was once theirs, but was lost in 1893 and 1898 (when the US had taken over). Many Hawaiians wish to have their own government. Hawaii’s government offices are working as hard as possible to fix these problems.
Hawaiian History
The first people of Hawaii were Polynesians. They arrived around 1,700 years ago. They came into Hawaii by large canoes from the Marquesas Islands. More Polynesians came from Tahiti, bringing banana plants, sugarcane, and taro. They also brought with them pigs and chickens, which they raised themselves. They caught and ate fish. They made their own ponds to catch fish also. Today, they are one of Hawaii’s many different ethnic groups. The first Hawaiians also believed in many gods including; Pele, who was the goddess of the volcanoes. She lives in Kilauea volcano on the big island. If Kilauea erupted, the people believed it was her doing.
The Kingdom Of Hawaii
Around the 1800’s, chiefs mostly ruled the islands of Hawaii. Kamehameha I (the first) was a chief, coming from the main island (Hawaii). He was one that fought for his land. Just like he won battles on the other islands. By 1810, Kamehameha had achieved his life goal, bringing the people of the 8 main islands together. He had formed the kingdom of Hawaii. The kingdom of Hawaii had stayed the way Kamehameha had meant for it to be, until the end of the 1800’s.
Europeans and U.S Settlers Arrive
In 1778, an English captain, James Cook, was the first European explorer to sail to the state of Hawaii. When he arrived he landed on Kauai. He did visit other islands also (Niihau, Maui, and the big island itself). When the European and U.S whaling ships came they rested near Hawaiian ports. When the sailors had to leave the islands, some refused to go, and stayed to live on the Hawaiian Islands. During the 1780’s, trading ships from Europe and the United States arrived. Hawaii, later on, became a resting stop for sailors on their way to Asia.
Hawaiian Business
The service industries employ almost 90% of Hawaiian workers. The service industries include: Tourism (showing tourists around Hawaii), real estate (selling and advertising houses), government, trade (selling items), fishing, agriculture (farming and growing crops), and manufacturing businesses.
Tourism
Tourism is Hawaii’s top/leading business. About 7 million people come to tour Hawaii (and it’s islands) each year, from the US, Japan, and Australia. They spend around $9 billion dollars a year. The hotels take in most of this money.
Real Estate and Military
In the recent years, hotels have been built all over (for the tourist’s sake), but more tourists have bought condos. They usually use them for retirement homes or, “second homes.”
Many US military bases are on Oahu, including Pearl Harbor, which is still an important naval base. The big island has a large training base also.
Manufacturing and Trade
Refined sugar and pineapple were two of Hawaii’s leading manufactured goods. Books and different kinds of clothing are also made in Hawaii. Oahu holds an oil refinery. Trade is also very important to Hawaii. The Japanese buy caps, T-shirts, and macadamia nuts from this state (Hawaii). The foods that Hawaiians produce are cleaned and then shipped over from Indonesia.
Agriculture and Fishing
In Hawaii’s history, sugarcane and pineapple crops were Hawaii’s most valuable. Now, Hawaii is looking for new vegetables and fruits to make into crops. They also grow coffee, and on the big island, they make kona coffee (the coffee Hawaii is known for) and macadamia nuts. Kauai grows guavas and papayas. Molokai and Niihau have cattle ranges. Sheep, hogs, and chickens are raised throughout the 3 islands.
Hawaii’s leading seafood product is called the yellow fin tuna. Hawaii also produces other seafoods like prawns.
Seeing The
Sights
Hawaii is a beautiful place for tourists to visit. Sunbathers, surfers,
and citizens love to visit the beaches of Hawaii, the hikers love to
visit the mountains and waterfalls of Hawaii. People who are studying
Hawaii can go to its museums or places which Hawaiians explain the
state’s history.Oahu, The gathering place
Oahu is called Hawaii’s “gathering place” because 80% of Hawaii’s residents live on the island. Most of the tourists come to Hawaii start on Oahu then take some type of transportation to the other islands. The capitol building in Honolulu, the capitol city. This building is designed so it would represent the volcanoes that erupted and formed the islands. The pillars look like the palm trees of Hawaii. Hawaii has the nation’s only palace. It is called Iolani Palace and is located in Honolulu. East of Honolulu are the beaches of Waikiki. People can learn how to surf here. West of Honolulu is Pearl Harbor. Also the USS Arizona memorial (which honors the sailors who fought against Japan in 1941, the sailors also died while fighting) is here. The Polynesian cultural center is far north of Oahu. Seven of the Polynesian villages have been recreated there. Arts and crafts that different Polynesians made are shown at this cultural center.
Kauai, the Garden Island
Kauai is located North-West of Oahu. Rainforests, canyons, and waterfalls cover Kauai’s land. Wailua Falls is in the eastern side of Kauai its two falls drop 80 feet (from top to bottom). Waimea Canyon is located on the western side of Kauai. This canyon is made out of rocks from eruptions long ago. The canyon is called the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. The Spouting Horn (ocean waves run through its lava tube and shoots through the air) is located on Kauai’s southern side.
Niihau, the Forbidden island
Niihau is just west of Kauai. It is a private island and only invited guests are allowed. The Robinson family owns it now. They run a cattle and sheep ranch. A long time ago, in 1864, a relative bought Niihau from King Kamehameha V (the 5th). People on Niihau still speak the Hawaiian language.
Molokai, the Friendly Island
Molokai is East of Oahu. Molokai’s wide-open spaces give all the visitors room to explore. Hawaii’s largest white sand beach is on the western side of Molokai, it is called Papohaku Beach. On the East side of Molokai is Puu O Hoku Ranch, visitors like to drive through Puu O Hoku to see the horses and cattle. The Kalaupapa Peninsula is on the northern side of Molokai. A peninsula is a piece of land surrounded on 3 sides with water. Back in 1866, people who caught the Hansen’s disease were sent to Kalaupapa, (back then the disease was called leprosy) the people who had leprosy were called lepers. This disease attacks important parts of the body like the skin, the nerves, and the muscles. About 100 people live on Kalaupapa today. The Hawaiians, now, are getting treated for the Hansen’s disease (leprosy).
Lanai, the Pineapple Island
Lanai is South of Molokai. Most of the island is owned by a company called “Castle and Cooke.” Castle and Cooke have built 2 luxurious resorts. They are located near Lanai City. Lanai City is in the middle of the island. The Luahiwa Petroglyphs are just south of Lanai City. Pictures were carved into the rocks there by ancient Hawaiians.
Kahoolawe, the Uninhabited Island
Kahoolawe is south of Lanai. Nobody has lived here since World War II. This is because of the US Army. They used it as a target practice ground. They would practice with bombs and guns, No one wants to live in a place where there is a very high chance of someone dying each day.
Future
In the future for Hawaii, the people wish for more Aloha spirit and for their beloved Queen (Queen Liliuokalani) to return to them. They are also looking forward to wanting to become the leaders in the medical field.
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For my interview, I decided that Timothy “Maluhia” Schulz would be the
best choice. I interviewed him on Thursday, February 10, 2005 at 10:40
in the back room to SOAR. He told me many important things. He is part
of a Hawaiian band, which he plays with every summer in Hawaii. He
plays the ukulele. He has visited the island of Oahu 10 times. He
studied Hawaii at the University of Hawaii. He has also been involved
with Hawaiian culture, by taking hula camp in California and
Washington, and by studying culture and Hawaiian language. He named a
few important people (in his opinion) in the past for me. Heno Heno
Valeria was important, Heno Heno Valeria owned a big store and
introduced Mr. Schulz to Hawaii. “Auntie” Oni helped him learn the
native dance of Hawaii. Dr. Bob Engle was important to Mr. Schulz
because Dr. Bob Engle was his professor in college. The last name of
important people of the past/present is the director of Hawaiian youth
from the Hawaiian opera chorus, Nola Nahulu. Mr. Schulz also named a couple of the problems facing Hawaii today. One was, economic challenge. Economic challenge means that people are over emphasizing tourism and military as a revenue. Another problem is, sovereignty. Soveirenity is driven by American greed. Americans locked up Hawaii’s queen. Now, Native Hawaiians want their island back! The Brain Drain, is yet another problem Mr. Schulz named for me. What happens is, all of the well-educated people are leaving Hawaii to travel to the mainland. These people are doing this because they want better jobs and a cheaper place to live. ---Fun Fact: did you know that the amount of your house times five, is about how much that exact house would cost in Hawaii---. Bringing new business that hurt the land is also a problem today. The thing that Mr. Schulz does like about Hawaii is it’s weather, people, music, culture, and it’s Aloha spirit. He told me that Hawaii used to have Kings/Queens, but stopped having them around the early 1900’s or the late 1800’s. I asked him an important question after that, “Do you think Hawaii will still be like it is now, in the future?” He gave me a very good answer and explanation. He said that it would only be like is now, in the future, if strong measures are taken to protect the environment, also to preserve the land from over development. Hawaii is using too much of the land for tourist attractions. He also said that Polynesians, if had the choice, would not want to live in a land like Hawaii because of the over development. I then asked him my final question about what he thinks will, change about Hawaii in the future. He said that better balance between developers and preserving the beauty of the island. He also thought more economic diverse action should/would happen. Mr. Schulz said that he wanted the respect between cultures to grow, because tension between cultures/races is very high. Darker skinned people in Hawaii actually have a special (if that’s what you wanted to call it) day that the dark skinned would go around and beat up the light skinned. So now, Mr. Schulz wants Hawaiians to share more “Aloha Spirit” with the rest of the world. |
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Fradin, Dennis. Hawaii. Garza, Jillian. Personal Interview Selah, WA: 2005 Hintz, Martin. Hawai’i. New York: 1999. Kummer, Patricia K. Hawaii. Minnesota: 1998. Schulz, Tim. Personal Interview Selah, WA: 2005 |
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