Hawaii
Often mythologized by foreigners' exotic tall tales, the Polynesian Islands of Hawaii are unlike anywhere on the US mainland: Rooted deeply in ancient traditions and beliefs, this modern multi-ethnic society is where east and west truly shake hands.

History In A Nutshell
Before AD 1000, seafaring voyagers from Polynesia arrived in outrigger canoes using only  the sun, stars, wind and wave patterns to navigate by. The first European to visit was Captain Cook, christening the islands the Sandwich Isles in 1778. After a bloody 20-year campaign, Kamehameha the Great united the Hawaiian \Islands into one kingdom in 1819; his monarchy survived Christian missionaries, whaling ships and rising European and Asian immigration, through Queen Liliuokalani was deposed by a conglomeration of sugar plantation interests in 1893. the new republic became a US territory in 1900 and, though it played a pivotal role during WWII, was not admitted as the 50th state until 1959.

Cuisine
Traditional Hawaiian food features many of the staple and specialties brought by the first Polynesians, including poi, a sticky paste made of pounded kalo (taro) root; niu (coconut); and pigs, often roasted in an underground oven called an imu. Most representative of contemporary island cooking is a "mixed plate' lunch, featuring 'two scoop rice, 'macaroni salad and a meat or seafood dish, such as teriyaki chicken or kalbi short ribs, form one of the islands' many ethnic groups, Poke (raw, marinated fish) and saimin (noodle soup) are also popular dishes. Hawaii Regional Cuisine is a medley of Eurasian fusion and Pacific Rim tastes featuring island produce. Hawaii is the only US state to grow coffee, most famously in Kona on the Big Island. 'AWA (kava) is a mildly intoxicating ancient Polynesian brew.

Economy
Despite attempts at diversification, Hawaii's economy remains rooted in tourism,. Prior to WWII and the arrival of passenger jets, the islands ran on a plantation economy, exporting sugar cane, pineapple and coffee to the US mainland and abroad. Today agriculture takes second place to the development of tourism infrastructure (resort hotels, golf courses, etc). The cost of living averages 30% higher than on the mainland and housing prices are more than double, even though most employment consists of minimum-wage hospitality jobs.

Natural Beauty
Bountiful beaches call to swimmers and surfers, while snorkelers and scuba divers explore under-water volcanoes and coral reefs. Hikers amble through bamboo forests to waterfalls, traverse beautifully eroded pali (cliffs) and scale volcano's. Hawaii's geographic isolation is responsible for its stunning biodiversity, with 10,000 endemic and unique species of flora and fauna.

Landscape
The world's longest island chain, Hawaii stretches 2200 miles across the Pacific. Its more than 130 islands and eroded atolis were formed by volcanoes, with active lava still flowing on the Big Island of Hawaii'i today. The main islands, which make up over 99% of the state's total lads mass, are Hawaii'i Maui, O'ohu, Kaua'i, Moloka'i, Lana'i, Ni'hau and uninhabited Kaho'o,awe. Hawaii's climate is tropically hot and humid, although cooling trade winds blow year-round. Winter brings more rainstorms and bigger ocean waves.

Did you know?
* Hawaii leads the nation in SPAM (tinned meat) consumption per capita - nearly 7 million cans are sold per year.
* Surfing was invented in Hawaii, where it was the favorite sport of ali'i (royality).
*  The Haw aiian archipelago is Earth's most remote and isolated land mass.

Trademarks
Beaches and surfing, Flower lei, Hula dancing, Luaus, Mai tais, Outrigger canoes.

Best Time to Go: September to October - calmer ocean waters, little rain, fewer fewer tourists.
State Bird: Ne'ne' Hawaiian goose
State Flower: Native yellow hibiscus
Population: 1.3 million
Capital City: Honolulu
Motto: Ua mau ke ea o ka 'aiana i ka pono The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness.
Nickname: Aloha State



Hawaii State Flag