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