Hawaii (state)

I

Introduction

Hawaii (state), Pacific state of the United States. It consists mainly of the Hawaiian Islands, an archipelago near the geographical centre of the North Pacific Ocean, and other islets unrelated geographically to the archipelago; in all, eight main islands and 124 islets, reefs, and shoals. The major islands, in order of size, are Hawaii, Maui, Oahu, Kauai, Molokai, Lanai, Niihau, and Kahoolawe.

Hawaii entered the Union on August 21, 1959, as the 50th state. The state’s economy was long dominated by plantation agriculture and military spending. As agriculture has declined in importance, the economy has diversified to encompass a large tourist business and a growing manufacturing industry. The name of the state is taken from the island of Hawaii and is a Polynesian word or name of unknown meaning. In the 19th century the name was extended to the entire archipelago. Hawaii is known as the “Aloha State”.

II

Land and Resources

Hawaii has an area of 16,179 sq km (6,459 sq mi). The islands of the state extend in a 2,600-km (1,600-mi) arc from east to west. Elevations range from sea level to 4,205 m (13,796 ft) at the peak of Mauna Kea, on Hawaii Island. The state’s coastline is about 1,200 km (750 mi) long.

A

Physical Geography

The eight main Hawaiian islands comprise the tops of one or more shield volcanoes (those that form from quiet lava flows rather than explosions) that rise from the floor of the Pacific Ocean. The largest island, Hawaii, is formed from five volcanoes: Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, Hualalai, Kohala, and Kilauea. Both Mauna Loa and Kilauea are active. Maui is made up of two shield volcanoes and a central plain, the isthmus. Oahu has two heavily eroded shield volcanoes, which form the Koolau and Wainanae mountain ranges. Honolulu lies on a coral plain at the south-eastern end of the island. Kauai consists of a single eroded volcanic shield. Molokai comprises a plateau in the west and rugged mountains in the east. Lanai is a single shield volcano with a central plateau on which is located the world’s largest pineapple plantation. Niihau consists of a plateau that rises above coastal plains. Privately owned, it has a population that is almost completely ethnic Hawaiian. Smallest of the eight main islands is the barren and unpopulated Kahoolawe. Previously used as a military target range, Kahoolawe was turned over to the state of Hawaii in 1994. The small western islands are either coral atolls or lava formations. In June 2006 an area of around 362,000 sq km (140,000 sq mi) of reefs and atolls in north-western Hawaii was designated a marine national monument by US president George W. Bush, thereby becoming the largest protected marine area in the world. The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands support more than 7,000 species of birds, fish, and mammals, including the only remaining population of the Hawaiian monk seal.

The longest river in the state of Hawaii is Kaukonahua Stream on the island of Oahu, and the largest natural lake in the state is Halulu Lake on Niihau.

B

Climate

Hawaii has a tropical climate moderated by oceanic influences and prevailing north-easterly trade winds. The average annual temperature of about 23.9° C (75° F) varies little between summer and winter months. The recorded temperature in the state has ranged from -11.1° C (12° F) at Mauna Kea in 1979 to 37.8° C (100° F) at Pahala in 1931.