Chapter 18: Hawaii

Hawaiian Food

I’m sure you’ll be encountering many foods and terms that you’re maybe unfamiliar with when visiting Hawaii. This is because Hawaii is such a place where a wide variety of ethnic culture from the world has been involved: Chinese, Filipino, Hawaiian, Japanese, Portuguese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, and such.

In terms of yummy cuisines, we can’t talk about Hawaii without this amazing food chain store: L&L. You probably have had Hawaiian Barbecue for lunch sometime before at L&L.

The term, Hawaiian Barbecue was first coined by Eddie Flore, Jr, founder of L&L. Flore with his partner, Jonson Kam, built a reputation of serving fresh plate lunches, in generous portions, and low prices across Hawaii.

Chapter 16: The north Pacific Coast

Mountain Peaks

Hawaii has many high mountain peaks and summits. Among all of the mountains, the tallest mountain in Hawaii is “Mauna Kea.” Mauna Kea’s peak is 13,803 feet (4,207 m) above mean sea level. It’s also 33,476 feet (10,203 m) if measured from the floor of the Pacific Ocean; it is known as the tallest mountain in the world by this measure, which is taller than Mount Everest (the highest mountain above sea level).

Mauna Kea is a dormant volcano, one of five volcanoes, but it is believed by geologists that Mauna Kea would erupt during past times. Earthquakes also occur quite frequently on this mountain and this seems to be the result of tectonic faulting.

Chapter 15: California

Freeway

Hawaii’s Interstate H-1 is one of the freeways, which is essential in Hawaiian daily life. H-1 is known as the busiest Interstate Highway in Hawaii and is located on O’ahu Island. H-1 is the oldest freeway built in the Hawaiian Islands and the portion of H-1 opened in 1953 as the Mauka Arterial when Hawaii became a state.

Chapter 14: the Southwest Border Area: Tricultural Development

Ethnic Diversity

According to the U.S. Census Bureau estimate, Hawaii is the state with the highest ethnic minority population in the nation. Hawaii is considered a mixed plate of ethnic groups where a variety of different ethnic cultures have widely spread. Hawaii’s population comprises Hawaiian, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Caucasian Vietnamese, and Portuguese. Asian has dominated more than half of its population.

Since Hawaii has been a home to many different ethnic groups for decades, we can be exposed to different types of culture and experience new things like cuisines at the same time.

Chapter 13: The Empty Interior

Wildlife

The scenery in Hawaii is just a breathtaking treasure that the nature of Hawaii creates. But not only that, Hawaiian wildlife is a major draw that tourists can’t miss. There is a variety of wildlife that can be all seen in their habitat both on the ground and in the water.

Hawaiian Monk Seals

Humpback Whales of Hawaii

Hawaiian Sea Turtles

Hawaiian Coral Reefs

Hawaiian Dolphins

‘I’iwi (Hawaiian Honeycreeper)

Pueo (Hawaiian Short-eared Owl)

Chapter 12: The Great Plains And Prairies

Water Irrigation

Irrigation systems are the vital lifeline for agricultural operations. Usually, it’s easy to trace a continuous cycle of water on small islands. A patter of small islands’ water cycle varies according to geology, landforms, soils, and rainfall in a different place.

In Hawaii, its water resources are diverse with continuous streams, rain forests, cactus forests, and underground tunnels. Hawaii manages five irrigation systems: two on Oafu, two on Hawaii island, and one on Molokai.

[Oafu]

Waimanalo Irrigation System

Length: 15 miles

Acres Served: 1,174 acres

Transports: 150.0 million gallons per year

Kahuku Irrigation System

Length: 3 miles

Acres Served: 445 acres

[Hawaii]

Waimea Irrigation System

Length: 15 miles

Acres Served: 566 acres

Transports: 307.2 million gallons per year

Honoka’a-Pauilo Irrigation System

Length: 26 miles

Acres Served: 4,755 acres

[Molokai]

Molokai Irrigation System

Length: 25 miles

Acres Served: 3,160 acres

Transports: 1.2 billion gallons per year

Chapter 11: The Agricultural Core

Hawaii’s mild climate allows Hawaii to produce many different types of agriculture. About 40 percent of Hawaii is dominated for farmland and the agriculture sales per year play a big role in the Hawaii economy. Probably when most people imagine agriculture in Hawaii, the crops that they may come up with are pineapple, sugarcane, coffee, macadamia nuts, or this sort of thing.

But Hawaii agriculture include even avocados, bananas, citrus, ginger, guava, papayas, taro, onions, sweet potato, lettuce, and seed crops. These are also very important crops that help sustain Hawaii’s economy.

Chapter 10: The Southern Coastlands: On the Subtropical Margin

Hawaii has a variety of great features that attract a number of people all around the world and has been known as one of the greatest resort places for vacation. Despite that attraction, there is one thing that scares local people and travelers and that you can’t stop with human power: natural hazards.

Natural hazards that occur in Hawaii include volcanoes, earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, tsunamis, and brush fires.

[Volcano]

Active Volcano: Kilauea, Mauna Loa, Hualalai

History of Eruption:

Kilauea since 1983

Mauna Loa’s last eruption in 1984

Hualalai’s last eruption in 1801

Lava flows that are heated up to 2000 degrees Fahrenheit have massive destructive power. As lava flows run downhill, they bury everything in its path, such as trees, houses, and roads, and destroy completely. In addition to the impact of lava flows, volcanoes produce vog that adversely affects health of people.

[Earthquake]

There are small earthquakes that occur on a regular basis on the Big Island due to the underground magma movement. But there were larger earthquakes that Hawaiian has experienced in history.

Year Location Magnitude

1868 Kau 7.9

1951 Kona 6.9

1952 Kona 6.0

1975 Kilauea 7.2

1983 Kaoiki 6.6

1999 Pahala 5.6

2006 Kiholo Bay 6.7

2006 Mahukona 6.0

Chapter 9: The Changing South --Hawaiian Economy--

Hawaii is economically vigorous with diversified agriculture and manufacturing. However, among the states, Hawaii ranks relatively low in terms of personal income, farm products sold, value of manufacturing shipments, retail sales, and bank deposits. the high cost of living in Hawaii is one of the most significant problems that have an impact on Hawaiian economy.

Tourism remains Hawaii's leading employer, revenue producer, and growth sector. However, agricultural diversification (including the cultivation of flowers and nursery products, papaya, and macadamia nuts), aquaculture, manganese nodule mining, and film and television production have broadened the state's economic base. The public sector has a greater presence in Hawaii's economy than in any other state, accounting for 21.5% of gross state product in 2001, compared to the state average of 12%. Economic growth was relatively sluggish in Hawaii at the end of the 20th century, accelerating only from 2.2% in 1998 to 3.3% in 1999 to 4.6% in 2000. The national recession of 2001 and the after-effects of 9/11 helped reduce the annual growth rate to 2.8% in 2001, mainly through the impact on tourism. By the third quarter of 2002, however, hotel revenue in Hawaii was showing an increase over 2001, in contrast to hotel revenues in other parts of the country. Payroll employment, after declining sharply in 2001, was also showing increases.

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.

http://www.city-data.com/states/Hawaii-Economy.html

Chapter 8: Appalachia and The Ozarks --Mineral--

The value of Hawaii's nonfuel mineral production in 2001 was estimated to be $70 million, a 24% decrease from 2000. Crushed stone, construction sand and gravel, and portland cement were the principal mineral commodities produced, with values of $51.9 million, $6.97 million, and $10.2 million, respectively. Small amounts of masonry cement ($600,000) and gemstone production were also reported. The overall decrease in value in 2001 was mostly related to decreases in the values of portland cement and crushed stone. Portland cement production has declined since the record high of 522,000 metric tons in 1992, valued at $54 million.

Mineral production in Hawaii is mainly for local construction usage. The rapid growth in construction throughout the state slowed somewhat in 1991, but government policy aimed at expanding the housing industry and at raising public construction levels offset the anticipated drop in private construction, resulting in a modest increase in mineral production. However, production of crushed stone and portland cement are now only about half the size they were in 1992.

http://www.city-data.com/states/Hawaii-Mining.html

Chapter 7: The Bypassed East --Fishing--

As we all know, Hawaii is one of the most fabulous places for tourists to relax and enjoy the wonderful weather. Hawaii doesn’t make you disappointed at all when you visit because there are many places to visit and have fun. One thing all tourists love about Hawaii: the beautiful beach. Are you going to lie on the hot sand and get a tan under the sun, or jump into the ocean and swim in the beautiful ocean? Wait. You can’t miss one more thing. One of the favorite activities for many people is fishing.

As many people in Hawaii spend their time fishing, there are many fishing sport tournaments where they compete against each other in the size of fish they catch on a fishing charter boats throughout a day. It’s time for you to experience the feeling of pulling back on a fishing rod with a Blue Marlin (A’u) that could weight over weight over 1,000 pounds. There is a variety of fish in Hawaii: Blue Marlin (A’u), Striped Marlin (Naiaragi), Shortbill Marlin (Hebi), Wahoo (Ono), Dolphin Fish (Mahi Mahi), Yellowfin Tuna (Ahi), Big Eye Tuna (Ahi Po’onui), and Skipjack tuna (Aku).

Try it out!

Chapter 5: The North American Manufacturing Core --Manufacturing & Mineral Resources--

Although most of the gross income for Hawaii is generated from its tourism, Hawaii has some industries that play a small role in the Hawaii economy. Hawaii’s leading manufacturing activity is food processing and exports. These include coffee, macadamia nuts, pineapple, livestock, and sugarcane. The considerable shipping distance to importing ports is the main factor that its manufacturing doesn’t contribute to Hawaii’s economic growth as much as the tourism.

Hawaii’s Natural Resources

-Climate

-Water supply

-Soil

-Vegetation

-Surrounding ocean and rock

-Gravel

-Sand

-Earth quarried for use in construction and landscaping

Chapter 4: Megalopolis

Hawaii is not considered a megalopolis but Hawaii has become an exotic tropical resort with a great importance in relation to its tourism.

Hawaii has a large number of visitors from a variety of countries each year. Back in the 1950’s, half of the visitors took a ship to arrive in Hawaii rather than a plane due to the developing accessibility at that time. With the growing availability of larger airplanes at a lower fare, the number of visitors has remarkably increased in every decade since the 1950s. Now, Hawaii has over 7.4 million visitors every year, and all tourists enjoy the beauty of nature and a landscape.

Hawaii’s tourism goal is to increase the number of visitors and their length of stay and improve the quality of the visitor’s stay.

More inexpensive air flights, a great number of resort hotels,and a variety of entertainments have spurred Hawaii’s tremendous urban growth over the years. It is estimated that over 50,000 hotel rooms are available. Although visitors declined during 2000 due to fewer domestic and international arrivals, a length of stay increased by 1.1%.

Chapter 3: Foundations of Human Activity--Religion--

As religions penetrate deeply into American society and individuals, Hawaii’s religious heritage is also diverse. There are a number of religions that people in Hawaii practice. Most of Hawaii residents are Christian. Their churches are comprised of Church of Christ, Roman Catholic, Assembly of God, Church of Latter Day Saints, and Jehovah Witnesses. Some believe in Buddhism, Judaism, Islam, and Hinduism as well. Some native Hawaiians also worship ancient Hawaiian Gods, such as Kane, Kapua, Ki’i, Lono, Ku, Kanaloa, and so forth.

Kane: Hawaiian God of the forests and tress.

Kapua: The divine tricksters or mischief-makers of Hawaii.

Ki’i: Hawaiian creator God or first created man.

Lono: God of agriculture and fertility.

Ku: God of war

Kanaloa: God of the ocean

Chapter 2: Geographic Patterns of the Physical Environment --Climate--

Imagine a place where you never get too hot and too cold, but you can just chillax in the splendid weather that makes your day more comfortable with a nice, gentle breeze blowing. Hawaii is such a perfect vacation spot to visit for you at anytime during the year.

The climate of Hawaii is subtropical and very mild, compared to the other typical tropical locations. Due to the constant trade winds blowing from east, temperatures and humidity tend to be fairly consistent and comfortable despite the heavy sun radiation. Hawaii has only two seasons: summer (May to October) and winter (November to April). The average temperature during summer is 82°F and winter temperature drops to about 75°F but rarely falls below 65°F.

The amount and frequency of rainfall is depending on the relief of each island and the intensity of the winds. While the areas on the windward side experience more cloud cover and rain, Hawaiian resort areas have the benefits of more sunshine.

Chapter 1: Regions and Themes

The state that I have chosen for the web assignment to write a blog is Hawaii. I've never been to Hawaii before but I would like to take full advantage of this opportunity to learn something that will hopefully be useful for my first visit to Hawaii.

Hawaii is one of the greatest regions in the United States that offers a variety of unique experiences for visitors. One reason that makes it special is its region.

Hawaii is the only state in the United States that is located apart from the North American continent (surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States). While Hawaii is consisted of a chain of 132 islands, it is usually considered eight islands: Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolwe, Maui, and Hawaii. The whole group of islands is rising due to volcanic activity.

Official Language: English, Hawaiian

Capital: Honolulu

Area:

-Total 10,931 sq mi (28,311 ㎢)

-Length 1,522 miles (2,450 ㎞)

-Latitude 18° 55' N to 28° 27' N

-Longitude 154° 48' W to 178° 22' W