The Islands Of Hawaii

By Author: Jesse Henson
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The Hawaiian Islands are made up of eight major islands - Hawaii, Oahu, Kauai, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe, Maui and Niihau - a few atolls and various small islets in the North Pacific Ocean. The 50th U.S. state since 1960, its history dates back so far that it's actually in "pre-history" and is considered an ancient, noble "sea land" by its proud inhabitants. It is unknown exactly when the Polynesian explorers first set foot on the islands but it is certain that they were the first people to inhabit it. As the Hawaiian people did not always have a written language, but instead preserved their history with chants and legends, many details of the old days are lost forever. Some of the earlier history was also lost with the deaths of the Kahunas and other learned men whose job it was to pass on the knowledge to succeeding generations of Hawaiians through those songs and tales. Nevertheless, Hawaii grew and thrived and its people remained strong.

In 1778, Captain James Cook led an expedition that landed him on the islands of Kauai and Niihau. However, Cook was not the first man to discover the Hawaiian Islands, just the first ...
... known European to arrive. Studies of the Hawaiian language and various archaeological discoveries have led to the conclusion that Hawaii was actually settled in two separate waves of Polynesian migration. Captain Cook himself was also aware that the original Polynesian settlers came from the South Pacific up to a thousand years before his time.

Separate immigration waves
One of the first-stage settlements was as early as 600 or 700 AD, with the second wave of immigration around 1100 AD. The lack of navigational instruments or charts of any kind led the Polynesians to sail into vast oceans, basing their direction on the sky, stars, sea and currents. They also observed patterns of bird flight and other natural signs. They were superior seamen for their time and used their minds to navigate without any compasses or navigational tools.

Hawaii has been a popular tourist site since the U.S. grew into a continent-spanning nation. Every year, millions of tourists flock here to get away from the stress of everyday life and embrace a piece of paradise that they would not normally be a part of. Perhaps it's the warmth that you feel the moment you set foot in Hawaii or the overwhelming hospitality, friendliness and generosity of the people you encounter. Tourism in Hawaii has brought the people of this island a way to show others their love of their island, their heritage and history.

Aloha spirit
It has been said that the ancient Polynesians first brought the sense of "the Aloha spirit" to Hawaii. A wonderful environment that is nurtured by a melting pot of cultures and ethnic backgrounds helps the tourism trade thrive. In 2003 alone, there were over 6.4 million tourists to the various islands, leaving behind an estimated $10 billion in purchases. Since Hawaii's weather is usually mild year-round, tourism is popular all year, too. During the summer months and major holiday seasons, there is a greater number of visitors here than any other time of year. When people from the U.S. are looking to escape the cold and storms that occur where they live, they come to Hawaii for the endless sunshine. Japanese tourism is also very big here due to Japan's relative proximity and the historical ties that it has to Hawaii.

Tourism has allowed Hawaii to become a booming wonderland of resorts, hotels, restaurants, clubs, yachts, surfers and much more. There never seems to be a dull moment in Hawaii. Although, you can find a club or resort almost anywhere these days, there are not many that are set in a tropical paradise of this high quality. This is what sets Hawaii apart from so many places in the world.

It may have been the ancient Polynesians that brought the sense of "Aloha" to the islands of Hawaii, or perhaps it grew naturally from the unique environment that continues to inspire and lure people here - but whatever the case may be, Hawaii continues to attract thousands of tourists with its incomparable natural wonders and one-of-a-kind spirit. This is what makes the Hawaiian Islands unique and one of the best places in the world to be, whether for an hour, a week, a vacation or a lifetime.
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