Hawaii (English: Hawaii) is the fiftieth and newest state of the USA, joined on August 29, 1959. It is the only US state made up exclusively of islands, with a total area of 16,800 km².
Diverse landscapes, warm tropical climate, many open beaches, picturesque ocean views and active volcanoes make the islands extremely attractive for tourists, surfers, biologists and volcanologists. Due to its location in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, Hawaii developed under the strong influence of many cultures: Polynesian, Asian and North American.
Geography
The Hawaiian archipelago is located on the northern border of Polynesia and includes hundreds of islands that stretch 2,400 kilometers to the northwest from the largest island of Hawaii. The state’s eight main islands (from the northwest) are Niihau, Kauai, Malakai, Lanai , Kahoalawe, Maui, Aahu, and Hawaii (also called the Big Island).
On the island of Hawaii are the active volcanoes Mauna Loa and Kilauea, the dormant volcano Mauna Kea (the highest peak of the islands at 4,205 m).
According to COUNTRYAAH, the capital and largest city is Honolulu. Other major cities are Kailua, Waipahu, and Kaneohe. Aahu is the most economically developed island.
Demographics
With a population of over 1.36 million (as of the 2010 census), Hawaii is the most ethnically diverse state in America, with groups of European descent making up the minority (24.7%), with a significant proportion of descendants of Asian immigrants (38.7%) and interracial marriages (23.6%). Hawaiians and Polynesians make up about 10%. The population of Hawaii was formed under the influence of several waves of migration. Since 1789, local planters began to import workers from China, and even more migrants arrived from Japan starting from 1838. At the end of the 19th century, the Portuguese, Koreans, Filipinos, Puerto Ricans began to come to the islands,Samoans and Micronesians, forming a culture of the Hawaiian Islands that is unique in its diversity .
The official languages are English and Hawaiian; Native languages are partially preserved (in everyday life). Hawaiian pidgin is also widely used among the natives of the state , which was formed through interethnic relations of immigrants from different countries under the main influence of English, Hawaiian, Japanese and Filipino languages.
The official nickname is the Aloha State (“state of hospitality”).
Famous people
- Barack Obama
- Nicole Kidman
Niihau, Hawaii
| Niihau | |
| United States Island | |
| Location | |
| Country | United States |
| archipelago | Hawaiian Islands |
| Province | Hawaii |
| Location | Pacific |
| Coordinates | 21°54’N, 160°12’WL |
| General | |
| Surface | 181 km² |
| Inhabitants (2010) |
170 |
| County Seat | Puuwai |
| Length | 29 km |
| Width | 10 km |
| Highest point | Mount Panīʻau (381 m) |
| Niihau | |
Coast of Niihau
Niihau or Ni’ihau is the westernmost island of the island group that makes up Hawaii. The island has an area of 181 km² and has about 160 inhabitants. The island measures 30 km by 10 km. The highest point (Paniau) is 390 m. The only known settlement on Ni’ihau is Puuwai. Moreover, the island is privately owned, it is not accessible to outsiders unless by invitation.
The island is owned by the two brothers from the Robinson family. Many former residents of Niihau live on the neighboring island of Kauai and the two brothers also own large farms. The former residents of Niihau regularly sail to and from the island. The Robinson family and their guests fly by helicopter from Port Allen airport (Kauai) to Niihau, where a helipad has been built in various places. The houses on Niihau are in original condition and built in the 19th century. Most residents, including the Robinson family, live on Kauai.
Many feral horses, sheep and goats live on the island, and many sharks and dolphins live in the waters around the island.
37 km southwest of Niihau is the islet of Ka’ula.
Kauai, Hawaii
| Kauai | |
| United States Island | |
| Location | |
| Country | United States |
| archipelago | Hawaiian Islands |
| Province | Hawaii |
| Location | Pacific |
| Coordinates | 22°4’12″N, 159°29’51″WL |
| General | |
| Surface | 1430 km² |
| Inhabitants (2010) |
67,091 |
| County Seat | Lihue |
| Length | 60 km |
| Width | 45 km |
| Highest point | Kawaikini (1598 m) |
| satellite photo | |
Kauai is an island in the Hawaiian archipelago. It is the fourth largest island in the group and is also known as ‘Garden Isle’.
Naming
The name Kauai is said to be the name of one of the sons of Hawaiʻiloa, the Polynesian discoverer of the islands.
Geography
The island is of volcanic origin. The highest point is Kawaikini, at 1598 m.
Climate
The wettest place on Earth is on the island on the east side of Mount Waiʻaleʻale. The annual rainfall here is 11.7 meters. Because of this, the island has many deep valleys, carved by the rain.
Nature
The island is home to the headquarters of the National Tropical Botanical Garden, a non-profit organization that operates a network of botanical gardens and wildlife sanctuaries in Hawaii and Florida. The Allerton Garden, Limahuli Garden and Preserve, and McBryde Garden, which are managed by this organization, can be found on Kauai. Munroidendron racemosum is a plant endemic to the island.
Tourism
Kauai is accessible via Lihue Airport (LIH). Lihue is the second largest city on the island after Kapaa.
Trivia
- The stories of Lilo & Stitch are set on Kauai.
- Portions of the island were used in the movies Jurassic Park (1993) and Jurassic World (2015).
- Some shooting for the fourth Pirates of the Caribbean movie Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011) took place on the island.
