It is also the largest island in the United States, and like the other islands of Hawaii, was formed by a hotspot in the Earth's crust. [245][246] Critics of the Jones Act contend that Hawaii consumers ultimately bear the expense of transporting goods imposed by the Jones Act.[247]. Hawaii has had a long history of LGBTQIA+ identities. She holds a Certificate of Advanced Study in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) from California State University. [262], There has been pushback against tourism by Native Hawaiians, urging people to not visit the islands. Hawaii is typically recognized by its eight main islands, seven of eight which are inhabited: Oahu, Maui, Hawaii, Kauai, Molokai, Lanai, Niihau, and Kahoolawe. The highest point on the island, Kamakou at 4,961 feet (1,512 meters) is a part of East Molokai. Winter day temperatures are usually around 83F (28C); at low elevation they seldom dip below 65F (18C) at night. However, a Pew poll found that the religious composition was as follows: Note: Births in this table do not add up, because Hispanic peoples are counted both by their ethnicity and by their race, giving a higher overall number. Hawaii incurred the biggest seniority shift between the 112th and 113th Congresses. [154] The state has a lower population density than Ohio and Illinois. There are two resort hotels and two famous golf courses on the island and as a result, tourism is a large part of its economy. [287][288] Unique to this state is the lack of municipal governments. [292], Hawaii has not elected a Republican to represent the state in the U.S. Senate since Hiram Fong in 1970; since 1977, both of the state's U.S. Other authors say there is no archaeological or linguistic evidence of a later influx of Tahitian settlers and that Paao must be regarded as a myth. Molokai's topography consists of two distinct volcanic ranges, known as East Molokai and West Molokai. It is considered a variant of a more general Polynesian mythology that developed a unique character for several centuries before circa 1800. [19][20], The Hawaiian language word Hawaii is very similar to Proto-Polynesian Sawaiki, with the reconstructed meaning "homeland". Hawaii is the only state to have a tri-racial group as its largest multiracial group, one that includes white, Asian and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (22% of all mutiracial population). [72] Invasive species are spreading, and chemical and pathogenic runoff is contaminating groundwater and coastal waters. Senator Daniel K. Historically dominated by a plantation economy, Hawaii remains a major agricultural exporter due to its fertile soil and uniquely tropical climate in the U.S. Its economy has gradually diversified since the mid-20th century, with tourism and military defense becoming the two largest sectors. Oahu's topography consists of two main mountain ranges that are separated by a valley as wellas coastal plains that ring the island. [70] This relationship ensures the longevity, sustainability, and natural cycles of growth and decay, as well as cultivating a sense of respect for the land and humility towards one's place in an ecosystem. [109] In Hawaiian Autonomy, Liliuokalani states: If we did not by force resist their final outrage, it was because we could not do so without striking at the military force of the United States. The Ultimate Guide To The Hawaiian Islands Thus, parties are usually in the form of potlucks. Generally, their focus is on self-determination and self-governance, either for Hawaii as an independent nation (in many proposals, for "Hawaiian nationals" descended from subjects of the Hawaiian Kingdom or declaring themselves as such by choice), or for people of whole or part native Hawaiian ancestry in an indigenous "nation to nation" relationship akin to tribal sovereignty with US federal recognition of Native Hawaiians. But only 7 of its 132 islands are inhabited: Hawaii (also known as the Big Island), Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Oahu, Kauai, and Niihau. Hawaii Big Island Maps & Geography | Go Hawaii [92], During the 1780s, and 1790s, chiefs often fought for power. For example, instead of "it is hot today, isn't it? Some HCE expressions, such as brah and da kine, have found their ways elsewhere through surfing communities. Everybody knows Hawaii's beaches, volcanoes and forests are unmatched in their beauty. "[h] The term da kine is used as a filler; a substitute for virtually any word or phrase. On January 14, 1893, a group of mostly Euro-American business leaders and residents formed the Committee of Safety to stage a coup d'tat against the kingdom and seek annexation by the United States. Plantations require massive quantities of water, and European and American plantation owners transformed the land in order to access it, primarily by building tunnels to divert water from the mountains to the plantations, constructng reservoirs, and digging wells. County executives are referred to as mayors; these are the Mayor of Hawaii County, Mayor of Honolulu, Mayor of Kauai, and the Mayor of Maui. [179], The Hawaiian language has about 2,000 native speakers, about 0.15% of the total population. According to the Hawaii Tourism: 2019 Annual Visitor Research Report, a total of 10,386,673 visitors arrived in 2019 which increased 5% from the previous year, with expenditures of almost $18 billion. Senator. [18], The State of Hawaii derives its name from the name of its largest island, Hawaii. It is associated with the Hawaiian religion, which was officially suppressed in the 19th century but was kept alive by some practitioners to the modern day. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. It has not sought to find a permanent basis of popular support and has given no evidence of an intention to do so. Most of Hawaii experiences only two seasons; the dry season runs from May to October and the wet season is from October to April. [116], Congress conducted an independent investigation, and on February 26, 1894, submitted the Morgan Report, which found all parties, including Minister Stevenswith the exception of the queen"not guilty" and not responsible for the coup. [226], By weight, honey bees may be the state's most valuable export. [237] The nonprofit Tax Foundation ranks Hawaii third in income tax burden and second in its overall tax burden, though notes that a significant portion of taxes are borne by tourists. [68][69] By the time Hawaiian annexation was being considered in 1898, sugarcane producers turned to cultivating tropical fruits like pineapple, which became the principal export for Hawaii's plantation economy. [103] Catholic and Mormon missionaries were also active in the kingdom, but they converted a minority of the Native Hawaiian population. [192], HCE speakers have modified the meanings of some English words. As the 1887 Constitution was signed under threat of violence, it is known as the Bayonet Constitution. Tourism is an important part of the Hawaiian economy as it represents of the economy. James Cook Polynesians (Marquesas Islanders) are believed to have first reached the island they named Hawai'i by outrigger canoe as early as 400 ce. [88] Instead, the supporters of Kalanipuu attacked, killing Cook and four sailors as Cook's party retreated along the beach to their ship. They voted against the Hawaii Republican Party, strongly supported by plantation owners. Lanai is the sixth largest of the main Hawaiian Islands, with a total area of 140 square miles (364 square kilometers). [45] Catastrophic debris avalanches on the ocean island volcanoes' submerged flanks have created steep cliffs. A system of state highways encircles each main island. Hawaii home values were the highest of all states, including California with a median home value of US$211,500. There are lowlands along its coasts with several mountain ranges that are separated by valleys. The Main Islands of Hawaii. During the 19th century, the increase in immigrationmainly from China, Japan, Portugalespecially from the Azores and Madeira, and Spaincatalyzed the development of a hybrid variant of English known to its speakers as pidgin. Despite several attempts to become a state, Hawaii remained a territory for 60 years. Under the guidance of his kuhina nui (his mother and coregent Elizabeth Kaahumanu) and British allies, Hawaii turned into a Christian monarchy with the signing of the 1840 Constitution. [49] The endemic plant Brighamia now requires hand pollination because its natural pollinator is presumed to be extinct. Counties have their own respective police departments with their own jurisdictions: Forensic services for all agencies in the state are provided by the Honolulu Police Department. Native Hawaiians continue to engage in traditional religious and spiritual practices today, often adhering to Christian and traditional beliefs at the same time.[52][96][94][78][95]. Tourism is the main industry on Kauai, and it is located 105 miles (170 km) northwest of Oahu. Oahu's population 953,307 is people (2010 estimate). Hawaiian sugarcane plantation owners began to recruit experienced, unemployed laborers in Puerto Rico. [227] According to the Hawaii Agricultural Statistics Service, agricultural sales were US$370.9million from diversified agriculture, US$100.6million from pineapple, and US$64.3million from sugarcane. world records. The executive branch is led by the Governor of Hawaii, who is assisted by the Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii, both of whom are elected on the same ticket. McKinley was open to persuasion by U.S. expansionists and by annexationists from Hawaii. state. About 82.2% of the state's residents were born in the United States. [143] Nearly 100 years later, in 1993, 17,000 Hawaiians marched to demand access and control over Hawaiian trust lands and as part of the modern Hawaiian sovereignty movement. In addition to the eight main islands, the state has many smaller islands and islets. Uninhabited, it is located 7 miles (11.2 kilometers) southwest of Maui and Lanai, and its highest point is Pu'u Moaulanui at 1,483 feet (452 meters). [250], The Polynesian languages are part of the Austronesian language family. Oahu is also the home of the largest U.S. Navy fleet in the Pacific at Pearl Harbor. [42] Up to 5,405 warriors and their families marching on Klauea were killed by the eruption. After Cook's visit and the publication of several books relating his voyages, the Hawaiian Islands attracted many European and American explorers, traders, and whalers, who found the islands to be a convenient harbor and source of supplies. Now the state capital, Honolulu is located along the southeast coast of Oahu. Interest in Hawaiian increased significantly in the late 20th century. Under the state's plan, businesses are required to provide insurance to employees who work more than twenty hours per week. Former representative Ed Case was elected in 2018 to the 1st congressional district. Seaflite operated hydrofoils between the major islands in the mid-1970s. The form "Owyhee" or "Owhyhee" is preserved in the names of certain locations in the American part of the Pacific Northwest, among them Owyhee County and Owyhee Mountains in Idaho, named after three native Hawaiian members of a trapping party who went missing in the area. These airlines also provide air freight services between the islands. As of 2023[update], all four seats are held by Democrats. Across the archipelago are around 130 small rocks and islets, such as Molokini, which are made up of either volcanic or marine sedimentary rock. [76] This later immigration is detailed in Hawaiian mythology (moolelo) about Paao. [308] The sovereignty movement considers Hawaii to be an illegally occupied nation. Due in part to heavy emphasis on preventive care, Hawaiians require hospital treatment less frequently than the rest of the United States, while total health care expenses measured as a percentage of state GDP are substantially lower. These visitors introduced diseases to the once-isolated islands, causing the Hawaiian population to drop precipitously. [73], Hawaii is one of two U.S. states that were widely recognized independent nations before becoming U.S. states. The highest point on Maui is Haleakala at 10,023 feet (3,055 meters). [272] Private schools educated over 17% of students in Hawaii that school year, nearly three times the approximate national average of 6%. [95][97] When Kamehameha III inherited the throne at age 12, his advisors pressured him to merge Christianity with traditional Hawaiian ways. Resident whites were allowed to vote but resident Asians were not. [217] Journals written by Captain Cook's crew record that many alii (hereditary nobles) also engaged in aikne relationships, and Kamehameha the Great, the founder and first ruler of the Kingdom of Hawaii, was also known to participate. [264] The Hawaii International Film Festival is the premier film festival for Pacific rim cinema. [122] Partisans on both sides of the debate questioned the accuracy and impartiality of both the Blount and Morgan reports over the events of 1893. [236] The high rate of tourism means that millions of visitors generate public revenue through GET and the hotel room tax. Hawaii is a majority-minority state. [citation needed], Polynesian mythology is the oral traditions of the people of Polynesia, a grouping of Central and South Pacific Ocean island archipelagos in the Polynesian triangle together with the scattered cultures known as the Polynesian outliers. [299], While Hawaii is internationally recognized as a state of the United States while also being broadly accepted as such in mainstream understanding, the legality of this status has been questioned in U.S. District Court,[300] the U.N., and other international forums. The smallest of the inhabited islands with an area of just 69.5 square miles (180 square kilometers), Niihau is one of the lesser known. In 1874, the election was contested within the legislature between Kalkaua and Emma, Queen Consort of Kamehameha IV. [305][308][309][310][311], Some groups also advocate some form of redress from the United States for the 1893 overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani, and for what is described as a prolonged military occupation beginning with the 1898 annexation. In the 1990s, a group of chefs developed Hawaii regional cuisine as a contemporary fusion cuisine. Hawaii Statewide Official Visitors' Guide Hawaii Maps & Facts - World Atlas Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/islands-of-hawaii-1435751. We vacation here, residents live here, and we know the ins and outs of most of them. The Apology Resolution passed by US Congress in 1993 is cited as a major impetus by the movement for Hawaiian sovereignty. According to scholar Winona LaDuke, as of 2015, 95% of Hawaiis land was owned or controlled by just 82 landholders, including over 50% by federal and state governments, as well as the established sugar and pineapple companies. The administration of President Grover Cleveland commissioned the Blount Report, which concluded that the removal of Liliuokalani had been illegal. Hawaiian Islands | Go Hawaii Hawaii (island) - Wikipedia In this manuscript, Maui is named La Desgraciada (The Unfortunate Island), and what appears to be Hawaii Island is named La Mesa (The Table). Under the missionaries' guidance, laws against gambling, consuming alcohol, dancing the hula, breaking the Sabbath, and polygamy were enacted. The okina and kahak are intended to capture the proper pronunciation of Hawaiian words. [189] The Hawaiian language uses the glottal stop (Okina) as a consonant. By the early 20th century, pidgin speakers had children who acquired it as their first language. Cook abducted the King of Hawaii Island, Kalanipuu, and held him for ransom aboard his ship to gain return of Cook's boat, as this tactic had previously worked in Tahiti and other islands. [50] The two species of BrighamiaB. The number of same-sex couple households in 2010 was 3,239, representing a 35.5% increase from a decade earlier. We invite you to explore the Islands of Aloha to find your own heavenly Hawaii experiences. Main Hawaiian Islands | Pacific Islands Benthic Habitat Mapping Center 5, 2023, thoughtco.com/islands-of-hawaii-1435751. [95] Without the kapu system, many temples and priestly statuses were jeopardized, idols were burned, and participation in Christianity increased. [112][115] By an act of war, committed with the participation of a diplomatic representative of the United States and without authority of Congress, the Government of a feeble but friendly and confiding people has been overthrown. [112][113], The treason trials of 1892 brought together the main players in the 1893 overthrow. Hawaii is the most recent state to join the union, on August 21, 1959. Total there are 137 islands in the Hawaii chain. Poi, a starch made by pounding taro, is one of the traditional foods of the islands. The United Nations' Special Committee on Decolonization later removed Hawaii from its list of non-self-governing territories. [220][221] In 2013, Hawaii became the fifteenth U.S. state to legalize same-sex marriage; this reportedly boosted tourism by $217million. Due to its distance from the continental United States, team sports in Hawaii are characterised by youth, collegial and amateur teams over professional teams, although some professional teams sports teams have at one time played in the state. President George W. Bush proclaimed the Papahnaumokukea Marine National Monument on June 15, 2006. Hawaii has five counties: the City and County of Honolulu, Hawaii County, Maui County, Kauai County, and Kalawao County. One of world's longest island chains, Hawaii is the only U.S. state completely made up of islands. By 1820, disease, famine and wars between the chiefs killed more than half of the Native Hawaiian population. [9] Hawaii's ocean coastline is consequently the fourth-longest in the U.S., at about 750 miles (1,210km). The Hawaiian people have inhabited the islands for centuries and have retained much of their traditional musical knowledge. [186] Kimura and Wilson say, "[l]inguists agree that Hawaiian is closely related to Eastern Polynesian, with a particularly strong link in the Southern Marquesas, and a secondary link in Tahiti, which may be explained by voyaging between the Hawaiian and Society Islands". Scholar Lydia Kualapai writes that Liliuokalani had "yielded under protest not to the counterfeit Provisional Government of Hawaii but to the superior force of the United States of America" and wrote letters of protest to the president requesting a recognizance of allyship and a reinstatement of her sovereignty against the recent actions of the Provisional Government of Hawaii. The death of the bachelor King Kamehameha Vwho did not name an heirresulted in the popular election of Lunalilo over Kalkaua. [303], Political organizations seeking some form of sovereignty for Hawaii have been active since the late 19th century. [165] Including those with partial ancestry, Samoan Americans constitute 2.8% of Hawaii's population, and Tongan Americans constitute 0.6%. Homosexual relationships known as aikne were widespread and normal in ancient Hawaiian society. Municipal codes were altered to favor Hawaiian place and street names for new civic developments. As one of only six majority-minority states, it has the only Asian American plurality, the largest Buddhist community,[10] and largest proportion of multiracial people in the U.S..[11] Consequently, Hawaii is a unique melting pot of North American and East Asian cultures, in addition to its indigenous Hawaiian heritage. Traffic on this line was busy enough for signals to be used to facilitate movement of trains and to require wigwag signals at some railroad crossings for the protection of motorists. The US state of Hawaii comprises every Hawaiian island except the Midway Atoll which is an unorganized unincorporated territory of the United States. Some of these cultural influences, including the popularity (in greatly modified form) of lau and hula, are strong enough to affect the wider United States. It is located in the rainshadow of Haleakala on Maui. Cook's second lieutenant and co-astronomer James King observed that "all the chiefs had them", and recounts that Cook was actually asked by one chief to leave King behind, considering the role a great honor. Narrow, winding roads and congestion in populated places can slow traffic. Commissioner Blount found the U.S. and its minister guilty on all counts including the overthrow, the landing of the marines, and the recognition of the provisional government. [150][needs update], The center of population of Hawaii is located on the island of O'ahu. Hawaiian scholar Lilikal Kameeleihiwa notes that aikne served a practical purpose of building mutual trust and cohesion; "If you didn't sleep with a man, how could you trust him when you went into battle? Hawaii is the only state to have never recorded subzero Fahrenheit temperatures. [237] However, Hawaii residents generally pay among the most state taxes per person in the U.S.[237], The Tax Foundation of Hawaii considers the state's tax burden too high, claiming that it contributes to higher prices and the perception of an unfriendly business climate. [304][305] Opponents to the tribal approach argue it is not a legitimate path to Hawaiian nationhood; they also argue that the U.S. government should not be involved in re-establishing Hawaiian sovereignty. Hawaii thus maintained independence, despite being on a sea route eastwest between nations that were subjects of the Viceroyalty of New Spain, an empire that exercised jurisdiction over many subject civilizations and kingdoms on both sides of the Pacific.[86]. "The Main Islands of Hawaii." [265] Honolulu hosts the state's long-running LGBT film festival, the Rainbow Film Festival. [62] Hawaii's record low temperature is 12F (11C) observed in May1979, on the summit of Mauna Kea. He was appointed to the office on December 26, 2012, by Governor Neil Abercrombie, following the death of former senator Daniel Inouye. [80][81][bettersourceneeded] If Lpez de Villalobos's crew spotted Hawaii, Gaetano would thus be the first European to see the islands. Hawaii is the youngest of the 50 states of the U.S.and the only one that is entirely an archipelago, or chain of islands. [120] The queen was sentenced to 5 years in prison, but spent 8 months under house arrest until she was released on parole. [17], Hawaii's relative isolation results in one of the highest costs of living in the U.S. Big Island has the most volcano activity out of all of the Hawaiian islands. The Hawaii State Constitutional Convention of 1978 created institutions such as the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to promote indigenous language and culture. Other towns include Kihei, Lahaina, Paia, Kula, and Hana. A common explanation of the name of Hawaii is that it was named for Hawaiiloa, a figure from Hawaiian oral tradition. [194], Religious self-identification, per Public Religion Research Institute's 2022 American Values Survey[195]. According to linguists Pukui and Elbert,[22] "elsewhere in Polynesia, Hawaii or a cognate is the name of the underworld or of the ancestral home, but in Hawaii, the name has no meaning". The state government of Hawaii is modeled after the federal government with adaptations originating from the kingdom era of Hawaiian history. Hawaiians have found success in the world of sumo wrestling. Kaula is a small island near Niihau. Hawaii Creole English, locally referred to as "Pidgin", is the native language of many native residents and is a second language for many others. An influx of European and American explorers, traders, and whalers soon arrived, leading to the decimation of the once isolated Indigenous community through the introduction of diseases such as syphilis, tuberculosis, smallpox, and measles; the native Hawaiian population declined from between 300,000 and one million to less than 40,000 by 1890.[13][14][15]. A survey by the Hawaii Tourism Authority indicated over of Hawaiians did not want tourists to return to Hawaii. ", an HCE speaker would say simply "stay hot, eh? It is dwindling in numbers due to American Sign Language supplanting HSL through schooling and various other domains. Niihau has a total population of only 130 (as of 2009), most all of whom are Native Hawaiians. The mayors are all elected in nonpartisan elections. The literature of Hawaii is diverse and includes authors Kiana Davenport, Lois-Ann Yamanaka, and Kaui Hart Hemmings. [94] But rather than abandon traditional beliefs entirely, most native Hawaiians merged their Indigenous religion with Christianity. [134], Puerto Rican immigration to Hawaii began in 1899, when Puerto Rico's sugar industry was devastated by a hurricane, causing a worldwide shortage of sugar and a huge demand for sugar from Hawaii. The mass arrest of nearly 300 more men and women, including Queen Liliuokalani, as political prisoners was intended to incapacitate the political resistance against the ruling oligarchy. He established the House of Kamehameha, a dynasty that ruled the kingdom until 1872.[93]. Public elementary, middle and high school test scores in Hawaii are below national averages on tests mandated under the No Child Left Behind Act. During the surfing boom in Hawaii, HCE was influenced by surfer slang. Independent schools can select their students, while most public schools of HIDOE are open to all students in their attendance zones. Spam musubi is an example of the fusion of ethnic cuisine that developed on the islands among the mix of immigrant groups and military personnel. Yet the island of Hawaii is the youngest in the Hawaiian chain, a mere 800,000 years old. Every county supported the Democratic candidate. [38], Hawaii's tallest mountain Mauna Kea is 13,796ft (4,205m) above mean sea level;[39] it is taller than Mount Everest if measured from the base of the mountain, which lies on the floor of the Pacific Ocean and rises about 33,500 feet (10,200m).[40]. There are a total of eight main islands in the Hawaiian . The eight islands are: Hawai'i, Maui, Koho'olawe, Moloka'i, Lana'i, O'ahu, Kaua'i and Ni'ihau. [283][284], At one time Hawaii had a network of railroads on each of the larger islands that transported farm commodities and passengers. The Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens are within this territory. The Polynesian cultures each have distinct but related oral traditions; legends or myths are traditionally considered to recount ancient history (the time of "p") and the adventures of gods ("atua") and deified ancestors. [165] In 1970, the Census Bureau reported Hawaii's population was 38.8% white and 57.7% Asian and Pacific Islander. [270], Hawaii has the highest rates of private school attendance in the nation.