I.

Introduction

Hawaii, 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”.