Hawaii

Hawaii island (1990 pop. 120,217), 4,037 sq mi (10,456 sq km), largest and southernmost island of the state of Hawaii and coextensive with Hawaii co.; known as the Big Island. Geologically the youngest of the Hawaiian group, Hawaii is made up of three volcanic mountain masses rising from the floor of the Pacific Ocean—Mauna Kea (13,796 ft/4,205 m above sea level, the highest point in the state); Mauna Loa (with the huge Kilauea crater); and Hualalai. Lava flows, some of which reach the sea, and volcanic ash cover parts of the island. The north and northeast coasts are rugged with high cliffs; the west and south coasts are generally low, with some good bathing beaches. An unusual black-sand beach lies on the southeast coast. Short rivers radiate from the major summits; Wailuku River, the longest, flows into Hilo Bay. Many waterfalls are on the island. Hawaii has a tropical-rainy climate, with the north and east slopes receiving the most rain. The west and south slopes are much drier; the Kau Desert is in S Hawaii. Temperatures decrease with elevation; Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea are usually snow-covered in winter. Vegetation varies from tropical rain forest to grasslands to barren volcanic areas. Sugarcane and pineapples are the island's principal products. The Kona district of W Hawaii is the coffee belt of the United States and is also known for its health resorts and offshore deep-sea fishing. Hilo , on the east coast, is the island's largest city and chief port and is the county seat. A highway, linking the coastal towns, encircles the island. At Kealakekua Bay there is a monument to Capt. James Cook, the first English explorer to visit (1778) the Hawaiian islands. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park are on Hawaii (see National Parks and Monuments , table). All over the island heiaus (ancient temples) are found.

Hawaii, USA Sandwich Islands A state consisting of a group of islands and the name of the largest island. Captain James Cook^† landed on one of the islands, Kauai, in 1778 and named the group the Sandwich Islands after John Montagu (1718–92), 4th Earl of Sandwich, then first lord of the British Admiralty (1748–51, 1771–82). Settled by Polynesians, the present name may be derived from Hawaiki, the previous name of Raiatea, one of the French Polynesian Society Islands, or from the Polynesian Owhyii ‘Place of the Gods’, a reference to the two volcanoes, Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, on the island of Hawaii; or it may simply mean ‘Homeland’. By 1810 all the islands of the group had been united into a kingdom under King Kamehameha I (c.1758–1819). In 1893 the monarchy was overthrown and a republic established. In 1898 it was annexed by the USA and in 1959 Hawaii joined the Union as the 50th State.