HAWAIIDong Joo Kim 9I

Hawaii is a chain of islands located about 3,200 kilometers from the continental United States, out in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Hawaii's location also makes it the only state not located in North America.

As an island state, Hawaii does not share any borders with other states or countries. Hawaii is made up of eight main islands: Hawaii, Maui, Oahu, Kahoolawe, Lanai, Molokai, Kauai, Niihau. Smaller islands are also part of the state, of which there are more than 100, include Ka'ala.

LOCATION

CLIMATE

Temperature and Climate Zones

Weather in Hawaii is very consistent, with only minor changes in temperature throughout the year. There are really only 2 seasons in Hawaii: summer (called Kau in Hawaiian) from May to October and winter (Hooilo) from November to April. The average daytime summer temperature at sea level is 29.4 C. while the average daytime winter temperature is 25.6C. Temperatures at night are slightly lower.

ECONOMIC GROWTH

Tourism is the major growth sector of Hawaii since long ago. However, agricultural diversification, aquaculture, mining, and film and television production have expanded the state's economic condition.

Hawaii's gross state product in 2001 was 39th in the nation at $43.7 billion, to which financial services contributed $10.1 billion, general services (including tourism) $10 billion, government $9.4 billion trade, $6.5 billion transportation and public utilities $4.1 billion, and manufacturing, $1.2 billion.

IMMIGRATION

During the 1990s, Hawaii’s foreign-born population increased 30 percent. Between 1990 and 2000, Hawaii gained 50,000 immigrants, bringing the total number of foreign-born residents in the state to approximately 212,000. The increase in the foreign-born population during the 1990s accounted for 48% of the state’s overall population increase during the decade. Then-governor Ben Cayetano cited Census data showing that 4,815 immigrants from the two countries have migrated to Hawaii since 1985 and that nearly 40% of them were living below the poverty level, affecting warfare, health care, and crime.

PHYSICAL FEATURES - MOUNTAINS

MOUNTAINS In general, Hawaiian rain forests are the safest in the world; with no malarial mosquitoes or poisonous

snakes. But the danger of flash floods, slippery precipices and wild pigs all warrant cautions. KOHALA Forming the northern tip of the Big Island is the worn and rounded Kohala mountain ridge. The steepest

part of Kohala mountain ridge lies about 3,564 feet high. It is the oldest mountain that lies dead out of the five volcanoes that lie on the Big Island. Kohala is 700,000 years old.

MAUNA KEA 32,000 feet from an underwater base, Mauna Kea pokes it head 13,796 feet above the sea level. Mauna

Kea was 17,000 feet high. It gets smaller with age. Scientists recognized this spot as possibly the best place in the world to observe stars. Mauna Kea has the only one of its kind, a tropical lake fed by permafrost*. Its lake is called Lake Wai-au. Mauna Kea is cold, especially if it's snowing. Also because of very thin air, children under 16 years old, and people with respiratory heart problems are not advised to go.

permafrost*: permanently frozen area

PHYSICAL FEATURES - VOLCANOES

Volcanoes - Kilauea and Mauna Loa

The islands of Hawaii lie upon the middle of the pacific plate. Volcanism occurs at the plate where 2 intersect. Hawaii is located on an intersecting plate known as a hot spot. These hot spots have been known to trigger volcanic action.

The islands of Hawaii have the two most active volcanoes still adding to the land. These active volcanoes are known as Kilauea and Mauna Loa.

Mauna Loa is 4,170m ( 13,600 ft) above sea level. It's area is 5,271km2 ( 2,035mi2) with a volume of 80,000 km3 (19,000 mi3).

Mauna Loa makes up 50.5% of land area of the island. It has an elevation of 4167m (13,677 ft). It is a live volcano which is 0.6 million years old. Mauna Loa is known for the star-gazing visitor center and the observatories that hold one of the largest telescopes, a telescope that was just received almost a year ago is used to gaze into the galaxy.

PHYSICAL FEATURES – RIVERS&FALLS

Wailuku River

The Wailuku River is the longest river on the Big Island. It is about 22.7 miles long. The word Wailuku mans " destroying water". A rock here called Wa-a-kauhi is a symbol of a canoe of Kauhi , a Maui chief who is said to be the petrified canoe of the demigod Maui.

Rainbow Falls

Rainbow Falls is located in Hilo. This water cascade is part of the Wailuku River. The water fall drops 80 feet into a large pool almost a 100 feet in diameter. Behind the fall is a cave said to be home of Hina, mother of Maui. It is called Rainbow Falls because when the water hits the water far below, the mist throws flocks of rainbow into the air. The best time to catch a rainbow is early in the morning sunshine.

Akaka Falls

Akaka Falls with its 420 feet cascade is the biggest water fall on the Big Island. The falls is located in a historical town called Honomu in the Hamakua District. A large stone in midstream about 70 feet above the falls name Pohaku-o-kaloa is said to be a stone of Pele. When struck by a Lehua 'apane branch, the sky darkens and the rain falls. This is what makes up Akaka Falls.