 Hawaii
Information
Capital
City: Honolulu
Economy: Tourism, agriculture.
Language Description:
Primarily English, though Hawaiian and other languages are also spoken.
Passport/Visa U.S.: Citizens
of Australia and the U.K. need a passport and proof of onward passage but
in most cases will not need a visa (contact a U.S. embassy or consulate
for details). Canadians need to show proof of citizenship accompanied by
a photo ID. Reconfirm travel document requirements with your carrier prior
to departure.
Population: 1,244,898
Religion: Christian
(Roman Catholic, Protestant). Buddhism and other religions are also well
represented.
Telephone Codes: 808,
area code for the entire state
Time Zone: 10 hours
behind Greenwich Mean Time (-10 GMT). Daylight Saving Time is not observed
Voltage Requirements:
110 volts
Hawaii's Flag:
Hawaii was once an independent kingdom. (1810 - 1893) The flag was designed
at the request of King Kamehameha I. It has eight stripes of white, red
and blue that represent the eight main islands. The flag of Great Britain
is emblazoned in the upper left corner to honor Hawaii's friendship with
the British.
History of Hawaii:
First settled by Polynesians sailing from other Pacific
islands between C.E. 300 and 600, Hawaii was visited in 1778 by British
Captain James Cook, who called the group the Sandwich Islands. Hawaii was
a native kingdom throughout most of the 19th century, when the expansion
of the vital sugar industry (pineapple came after 1898) meant increasing
U.S. business and political involvement. In 1893, Queen Liliuokalani was
deposed and a year later the Republic of Hawaii was established with Sanford
B. Dole as president. Then, following its annexation in 1898, Hawaii became
a U.S. territory in 1900. The Japanese attack on the naval base at Pearl
Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, was directly responsible for U.S. entry into World
War II. Hawaii, 2,397 miles west-southwest of San Francisco, is a 1,523-mile
chain of islets and eight main islands—Hawaii, Kahoolawe, Maui, Lanai,
Molokai, Oahu, Kauai, and Niihau. The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, other
than Midway, are administratively part of Hawaii. The temperature is mild
and Hawaii's soil is fertile for tropical fruits and vegetables. Cane sugar,
pineapple, and flowers and nursery products are the chief products. Hawaii
also grows coffee, bananas, and nuts. The tourist business is Hawaii's largest
source of outside income. Hawaii's highest peak is Mauna Kea (13,796 ft.).
Mauna Loa (13,679 ft.) is the largest volcanic mountain in the world in
cubic content. Among the major points of interest are Hawaii Volcanoes National
Park (Hawaii), Haleakala National Park (Maui), Puuhonua o Honaunau National
Historical Park (Hawaii), Polynesian Cultural Center (Oahu), the USS Arizona
Memorial at Pearl Harbor, The National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
(Oauhu), and Iolani Palace (the only royal palace in the U.S.), Bishop Museum,
and Waikiki Beach (all in Honolulu).
Other Hawaii Links:
Hawaii Chamber of Commerce
Hawaii Department of Education
Hawaii State Public Library System
Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau
High Technology Development Corporation
Vietnamese-American Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii |
