By Lisa E. Kirkwood
Hawai’i! An exotic leisure paradise for tourists from all over the world, so beautiful and out of reach, that for many people it only lives in their imagination.
The Hawaiian archipelago is an island state of the United States, about 2,000 miles (3,200 km) southwest of the U.S. mainland. One of the two non-contiguous U.S. states (along with Alaska), it is the only state not on the North American mainland, the only state that is an archipelago, and the only state in the tropics.
Hawai’i consists of 137 islands, shaped by volcanic activity, representing the northernmost extension of the vast Polynesian Triangle in the south and central Pacific, and overall included in the Polynesian subregion of Oceania. The eight main islands, from northwest to southeast, are Niʻihau, Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Kahoʻolawe, Maui, and Hawaiʻi, after which the state is named.
The latter is often called the “Big Island” or “Hawai’i Island”, to avoid confusion with the state name itself. The uninhabited Northwestern Hawaiian Islands make up most of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, the largest protected area in the U.S. and the fourth largest in the world.
Legend has it that the main island was named after Hawaiʻiloa, a figure from Hawaiian folklore. He is said to have discovered the islands when they were first settled. The word Hawaiʻi is very similar to Proto-Polynesian Sawaiki, with the reconstructed meaning “homeland”. Derived or related words are found in other Polynesian languages, including Māori (Hawaiki), Rarotongan (Avaiki) and Samoan (Savaiʻi).
The aboriginal culture of Hawai’i is Polynesian. Two-thirds of Hawai’i residents live on O’ahu, home to the state’s capital and largest city, Honolulu. Hawai’i is one of the most demographically diverse U.S. states, owing to its central location in the Pacific and over two centuries of migration. As one of only seven majority-minority states, it has the most numerous ethnic groups of Asian Americans and multiracial Americans, and the lowest percentage of White Americans of any state.
English and Hawaiian are listed as Hawai’i’s official languages in the state’s 1978 constitution. Hawaiʻi Creole English, locally referred to as “Pidgin”, is the first language of many native residents and is a second language for many others. Despite its high costs of living, Hawaii is the third-wealthiest state, and people here have the longest life expectancy of any U.S. state, at 80.7 years.
Hawai’i is among the most religiously diverse states in the U.S., with one in ten residents practicing a non-Christian faith, and it also has the largest Buddhist community. Hawaiian religion, which was officially suppressed in the 19th century, was kept alive by some practitioners to the modern day.
Settled by Polynesians sometime between 1000 and 1200 CE, Hawai’i was home to numerous independent chiefdoms. In 1778, British explorer James Cook was the first known non-Polynesian to arrive at the archipelago, followed by an influx of European and American explorers, traders, and whalers, which greatly reduced the indigenous population.
Hawai’i became a unified, internationally recognized kingdom in 1810, remaining independent until American and European businessmen overthrew the Kamehameha monarchy in 1893; this led to annexation by the U.S. in 1898. As a strategically valuable U.S. territory, Hawai’i was attacked by Japan on December 7, 1941, which brought it global and historical significance, and contributed to America’s entry into World War II.
Hawai’i is the most recent state to join the union, on August 21, 1959. In 1993, the U.S. government formally apologized for its role in the overthrow of Hawai’i’s monarchic rule, which has spurred the Hawaiian sovereignty movement and has led to ongoing efforts to obtain redress for the indigenous population.
National Hawai’i Day is observed annually on July 5th to celebrate the 50th state and its unique heritage, achievements, natural beauty, and history. Some cultural influences, including the popularity of lūʻau and hula, are strong enough to affect the wider United States and even other countries.
A lūʻau is a traditional Hawaiian feast or beach party, often featuring live music, hula dancing, and Hawaiian cuisine. It’s a celebration, whether for a special occasion like a wedding or birthday, or simply to enjoy a gathering and food. Lūʻaus are also a great way for non-natives to experience Hawaiian culture and hospitality, wear flower leis, and sample delicious foods, which often include dishes like poi, kalua pig (cooked in an underground oven), poké, and lomi salmon.
The cuisine of Hawaii is a fusion of many elements brought by immigrants to the Hawaiian Islands, including the earliest Polynesians and Native Hawaiian cuisine, and American, Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Polynesian, Puerto Rican, and Portuguese origins. Plant and animal food sources are imported from around the world for agricultural use in Hawai’i. Poi, a starch made by pounding taro, is one of the staple foods of the islands.
Hula is a traditional dance from Hawai’i, characterized by fluid body movements, often paired with chants (oli) or songs (mele). It’s a form of storytelling, with physical gestures that convey a variety of emotions. The ukulele, guitar, steel guitar (in modern hula), along with traditional Hawaiian instruments accompany the dance. Hula evolved into both traditional and contemporary forms, and is now a living expression of Hawaiian culture, deeply connected to religion and storytelling, often used to recount history, genealogy, and myths.
Hawai’i remains a major agricultural exporter due to its fertile soil and uniquely tropical climate in the U.S. Historically dominated by a plantation economy, especially sugarcane and pineapple, its economy has gradually diversified since the mid-20th century, with tourism and military defense becoming the two largest sectors. The state attracts visitors, surfers, and scientists with its diverse natural scenery and luxurious vegetation, majestic volcanoes, pristine beaches, enchanting bays, oceanic surroundings, rainbows, and clear skies on the world-famous Big Island.
The downside is that the tourism industry’s ongoing expansion and its impact on the ecosystem, flora and fauna, and pressure on cultural traditions, as well as on infrastructure, is creating a conflict between economic and environmental health. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, tourism in Hawaiʻi came to a halt, which allowed the land, water, and animals to begin to heal. Fish like the baby akule and big ulua have returned after years of not being around the bay. The coral reefs, fish, water growth, and limu (algae) growth were able to flourish without the heavy toll of tourism.
Every year, the Hawai’i islands’ natural beauty and local customs consistently draw millions of tourists. Dance, music, and song taught from one generation to the next keep traditions alive in a lush environment and exotic atmosphere surrounded by ancient history. All these speak to a richly diverse heritage that is welcoming and fascinating.
The Hawaiian people have inhabited the islands for centuries and have retained much of their original musical knowledge, largely religious in nature. Hawaiian-inspired folk music is a major part of the state’s culture, frequently featured in Hollywood soundtracks. Hawai’i also made a major contribution to country music with the introduction of the steel guitar.
Native Hawaiian musician and Hawaiian sovereignty activist Israel Kamakawiwoʻole, famous for his medley of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World”, was named “The Voice of Hawaii” by NPR in 2010 in its 50 great voices series.
A true Hawaiian vacation is a benchmark for many adventure seekers, kayak racers, and others who enjoy relaxion or thrills. You can make visiting or exploring Hawai’i a goal and a favorite tourist destination on your own bucket list. Such a trip can be a once-in-a lifetime experience, a defining moment with all that Hawai’i has to offer, its wonderful sights, sounds, chants, folktales, flavors, and unparalleled beauty.
National Hawai’i Day, celebrated each year on July 5th, honors the broader cultural and historical significance of the islands, the Hawaiian people, their history, and the Aloha spirit of friendship, hospitality, respect, affection, and love.
Aloha Pumehana!
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