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Researched by Haley D. |
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Definition
Eight main islands make up Hawaii: Hawaii, Kauai, Maui, Oahu, Molokai,
Lanai, Ni'ihau, Kaho'olawe. Many people love to live in and visit
Hawaii.
Population
Hawaii has a population at 1,212,000. The population of Hawaii is 41.6%
white, 24.3% two or more races, 21.4% African American, 9.4% Native
Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders 7.2% Hispanic, and 1.8% Asian. Oahu is
the most populated island.
Economy
Many Hawaiians work for the Navy because of the huge military bases
located on O’ahu and Maui. As in all states, many workers in Hawaii are
lawyers, construction workers, nurses, clerks, restaurant workers, and
school teachers. More than 15,000 people work on farms growing many
products.
Climate
Hawaii only has two seasons, Kau (summer) and Ho’oilo (winter). The
summer lasts from May through October. The average daytime temperature
is 85° F. and the highest temperature is 100° F. The winter
lasts October-April. The winter temperature is 78°F and the lowest
temperature is 53° F. Kaua'i is the rainiest place on Earth. Mt.
Wai’ale’ale in Kau’i has a yearly rainfall of 460 inches. That is
almost 40 feet!
Food
Farmers in Hawaii grow many things such as avocados, sugarcane,
pineapple, coffee beans, bananas, guavas, mangoes, coconut, grapefruit,
oranges, and macadamia nuts, Hawaii produces more macadamia nuts than
other place in the world. Some of the food products made in Hawaii are
sugar, canned pineapple, bread, candy, dairy products, juices, and soft
drinks. Ranchers on Maui, and Kaua'i raise cattle and hogs.
Plants
In Hawaii there are more than 2,500 different kinds of plants. The
state tree is the Kukui—also known as the candlenut. This tree
supplied early Hawaiians with oil, light, and medicine. Also the state
flower is the yellow hibiscus. Many Hawaiian plants are found nowhere
else on earth, because of how far it is from the rest of the
world.
Sports
There are many types of sports to play on the island and in the ocean.
If people want to play on land they could play soccer, football,
baseball, basketball, and volleyball. If they want play in the ocean
they could go windsurfing, swimming, canoe paddling, surf boarding, and
body surfing. Surfing was invented by Hawaiians.
Geography
Hawaii is the southern-most state and is the only island state. Eight
main islands form the state of Hawaii: Maui, Kaho’olawe, Lanai, Kaua'i,
Molokai, Oahu, Ni’ihau, and Hawaii. Hawaii is isolated (far away from
all neighbors). If Hawaii is measured it’s at least 2,090 miles away
from every other large land mass. Hawaii is one of the smallest states
in the United States. It is also the newest state and entered the Union
in 1959.
Islands
Hawaii “ The
Big Island”
The big island of Hawaii has the only royal palace in the whole United
States, Iolani. The island has an area of 4,033 square miles. On the
big island the only city of size is Hilo. In Hilo people always have to
carry an umbrella because it’s one of the rainiest cities in the world!
Every island represents a certain color. The big islands’ color is red.
DOLE® pineapple originated in Hawaii. On the east side of the
island is more agriculture than tourism, but on the west side of the
island there is more tourism than agriculture.
Kaua’i “The
Garden Island”
The garden island of Hawaii is the fourth largest island with an area
of 550 square miles. Kaua’i is called “The Garden Island” because of
its breathtaking scenery. The Polynesians were the first to arrive on
Kaua’i. But the mysterious tribe called the Menehunes were supposedly
the first human beings on the island. The Menehune tribe built a 900
foot wall to block off the Huleia stream to make a fishpond. Kaua’i is
one of the greenest and wettest place on earth. Two main features on
the island are Waimea Canyon and Na Pali Coast. Also the Garden
Island’s color is purple.
Maui “The
Valley Island”
The valley island of Maui is the second largest island with the area of
728 square miles. Most of the island is covered with sugarcane. Some of
the Hawaiians think it’s overdeveloped. Every winter humpback whales
come and give birth to their young babies in the bay south of Maui.
Also Maui’s color is pink.
O’ahu ”The
Gathering Place”
The gathering place of Hawaii is the third island in the chain. One of
the features on O’ahu is the USS Arizona Memorial that floats over the
sunken battle ship in Pearl City. No one knows how O’ahu got its name.
But O’ahu got its nickname because it is so heavily populated. O’ahu’s
color is yellow. One of the popular cities on O’ahu is the city of
Honolulu. It is the state capitol.
Moloka’i
“The Friendly Island”
The friendly island of Hawaii is the fifth largest island. The nickname
used to be The Lonely Isle because only 1,000 people lived there.
Moloka’i is a great place to go swimming and snorkeling. Moloka’i’s
color is green.
Lana’i “The
Pineapple Island”
The pineapple island of Hawaii is the sixth island largest island in
the chain. The tourist attractions are the crystal clear water which
makes Lana’i very popular. The pineapple island’s color is orange. Also
the DOLE® company owns Lana’i, and is sometimes called the Private
Island. The pear shaped island reminds sailors of a humpback whale. The
island extends to 140 square miles. One of the pineapple plantations is
among the world’s largest with more than 16,000 acres.
Ni’ihau “The
Forbidden Island”
No one can visit Ni’ihau unless they have an invitation. The island was
sold to the Sinclair family of Scotland by Kamehameha V. for $10,000
gold in 1864. There are 250 full blooded Hawaiians who live on the
island. Also there is no electricity on the island. The Hawaiians don’t
have to pay for their homes or meat. The forbidden island’s color is
white.
Kaho’olawe
“The Forgotten Island”
The forgotten island of Hawaii was unhabited from 1941-1994, the island
was used for target bombing practiced by the U S Navy. Now they are
working on removing unexploded missiles from the island. The general
public is still not allowed to visit the island. People hope soon they
can visit Kaho’olawe just like their ancestors. Also the Forgotten
Island’s color is gray.
History
The first Hawaiian settlers brought seeds, and plants of taro roots,
also sweet potatoes, coconut and banana trees, breadfruit, mountain
apples, and sugarcane. They built huts thatched with grass called pili.
Each tribe had a special guardian, the people thought that guardians
protected them.
Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor is the most famous harbor in the United States. On
December 7th, 1941 Japanese planned a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor.
The attack destroyed lots of ships and planes. More than 1,000 people
died going down with the USS Arizona. After the attack the United
States went to war with Japan and didn’t trust Japanese Americans. They
lost their jobs and businesses. Also the Naval Basin on O’ahu is the
major center of the U.S Military power in the Pacific.
Kamehameha
King Kamehameha was the first Hawaiian King. His name means “The Lonely
One”. In 1810 he ruled all islands. He died in 1819.
Time Line
A.D 700 - Polynesian explorers settle in Hawaii
1778 - January British explorer Captain James Cook arrives and names
the islands the sandwich islands
1795 - Kamehameha ruled all islands but O’ahu, Kau’i, and Ni’ihau
1810 - Kamehameha ruled Kau’i and Ni’ihau
1819 - Kamehameha died, and queen Ka’ahumanu ruled islands but didn’t
follow old laws and ate with men
1820 - Christan missionaries arrive
1840 - Hawaii adopts first written constitution
1891 - Liliuokalani becomes Queen
1893 - Rebels remove Liliuokalani from her power
1900 - Hawaii becomes U.S territory
1911 - Pearl Harbor is built
1941 - Japanese attack Pearl Harbor which was August 21, 1941
1959 - Hawaii becomes 50th state
1992 - Hurricane Inki hits Kauai killed 6 people caused more than $3
billion dollars in damage
1995 - Last sugarcane plantation in Hawaii closes
Future
There is now a new volcanic island called Loihi growing under the
ocean. It’s peak won’t be visible for another 10,000 years. It’s
located southeast of the big island.
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