World Travel
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17.07.15 12:30
A great place for a family vacation or honeymoon is the fiftieth US state of Hawaii. A "constellation" of isolated islands, always warm crystal clear water, amazing beaches, friendly people, wonderful flowers - these are, perhaps, all the most common knowledge about this paradise. Oh yes! Most of the series "Lost" was also filmed there! Recall other, no less interesting, facts about Hawaii.
The only island state
This is the only island state of America: 132 islands (but only eight of them are considered the main ones) are surrounded by the Pacific Ocean. In addition, this is the southernmost state, it is almost entirely located in the tropics.
Hawaii boasts the largest active volcano on the planet, it is called Mauna Loa.
The state is striking in its ethnic diversity. Here you rarely meet an American with European roots, mostly Asians live here (Japanese, Polynesians, Chinese, Filipinos). The two national languages are English and Hawaiian.
75% of the population is concentrated on the largest island of Oahu. The other main Hawaiian island is Maui.
Aloha!
The most touristic island is also Oahu, the state capital, Honolulu, is also located here.
We have all heard the Hawaiian greeting (“Aloha”) many times, it is used here both as “hello” and as “goodbye”. In translation, it means "compassion", "love".
The President of the United States is now the only one of all American rulers who was not born on the continental part of the state. Barack Obama was born in Hawaii.
AIDS, abortion and… pineapples
Here is a sad fact about Hawaii: the very first case of AIDS infection was registered here. In the spring of 1978, a 50-year-old woman was diagnosed and died shortly thereafter.
Hawaii pioneered the legalization of abortion. It happened in 1970. Abortion was allowed in extreme cases: incest, rape, or when the life of the mother was threatened.
Surfing, beloved by many, was invented in Hawaii - almost 10 centuries ago!
A third of the world's pineapple supply comes from Hawaii.
It is also the only state in the US where coffee is grown.
Sacred animal and nose flute
The Hawaiian Islands boast the highest life expectancy: 82.5 for women, 77.1 for men. By the way, in ancient times, the weight of a woman was most valued: the thicker she is, the more beautiful!
Native Hawaiians consider the shark a sacred animal, they are treated with great reverence.
In Hawaii, a bamboo flute was invented for ... a nose. The fact is that the locals considered the nose to be cleaner - after all, you can spew streams of abuse with your mouth!
Child Killers and the Ban on Coconuts
An eerie fact about Hawaii: when Christian missionaries landed on the islands (it was in the first half of the 19th century), it turned out that Hawaiian women easily get rid of a newborn if there are too many mouths in the family (or if he was born disabled).
When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, over 2,400 Hawaiians died. This day is still considered one of the saddest pages in the history of the islands.
The ancient Hawaiians divided society into classes. The lower strata could be sacrificed, the next highest group was called "ordinary people". Women of this category could not eat fish, coconuts and bananas, they could be executed for wrongdoing.
"Lunar" landscape and disappearing fauna
In 1960, astronauts were trained here, who were supposed to land on the moon: lava fields are similar to the surface of the Earth's satellite.
These islands hold the record for endangered fauna. So, almost all "local" birds are on the verge of extinction.
However, Hawaii is the most isolated place on the surface of the Earth.
Interesting facts about the Hawaiian Islands. 1. The Hawaiian Islands, or Hawaii, is one of the American states. 2. Hawaii is the most distant place on Earth from civilization, the distance from Hawaii to the US coast is 3,700 kilometers. 3. The Hawaiian volcano Mauna Kea is the highest mountain on the planet, if you count from the foot, and not from sea level. Most of Mauna Kea is hidden under the water column. The total height of the volcano is 10203 meters, the height above sea level is 4205 meters. This is the highest point in the Hawaiian Islands. 4. In addition to English, native Hawaiians have their own language - Hawaiian. 5. According to some tourists, Hawaiians have a rather negative attitude towards visitors. 6. Hawaii has the wettest place on earth, once receiving almost 17,000 mm of rain in a year. This is the region of Waialeale Volcano. 7. There is snow on the tops of the Hawaiian mountains. 8. All Hawaiian Islands are located in the zone of volcanic activity. 9. Kilauea Volcano began erupting in 1983, and the eruption is still in full swing. 10. Six million tourists visit Hawaii every year. 11. The famous Hawaiian beach of Waikiki was created artificially, the sand for it was imported from California. 12. The highest coastal cliffs in the world frame the edge of the island of Molokai. 13. Average life expectancy in Hawaii is higher than in all other US states. 14. The land area of Hawaii is slowly but steadily growing due to constant volcanic eruptions. 15. There are no snakes in Hawaii. 16. The original name of the Hawaiian Islands is the Sandwich Islands. 17. Hawaii is the longest archipelago on Earth, it stretches for almost two and a half thousand kilometers. 18. The official nickname of the state of Hawaii is the "Aloha State", that is, the "Hospitable State", or the "Hospitality State". 19. Hawaii is the most densely populated US state. 20. It is also the only US state where there are coffee plantations. 21. The climate in Hawaii is very mild, the average annual temperature fluctuates around the mark of 25 degrees Celsius. 22. More than 330 thousand tons of pineapples are grown annually in the Hawaiian Islands. 23. There is no daylight saving time in Hawaii. 24. Of all the American states, it is Hawaii that has the fewest people suffering from excess weight. 25. One of the attractions of the Hawaiian island of Oahu is the world's largest windmill, the length of its blades is 122 meters. 26. The most ancient island of the Hawaiian archipelago is Kauai, it is over six million years old. 27. The oldest school in Hawaii was opened in 1831 and is still functioning. 28. Ancient Waiau Lake, located at an altitude of almost four kilometers above sea level, is the third largest lake in the United States. 29. On the island of Molokai there is not a single traffic light and not a single shopping center. 30. Niihau Island is privately owned.
1. The Hawaiian Islands are one of the most geographically remote islands on Earth. From the territory of the United States they are separated by 3700 km.
Mauna Kea Volcano (4205 m) can be considered the highest mountain on the planet, if you measure its height from the foot, which is located at the bottom of the ocean. Most of the mountain is under water, when measured from the ocean floor, it is 10203 meters, which is higher than that of Everest.
In 1935, Amelia Earhart made the first ever solo flight from Hawaii to California, which lasted 18 hours. So many pilots died trying to make such a long solo flight that all attempts were eventually banned by a special decision of the US government, but Earhart obtained special permission for herself.
The area around the Waialeale volcano is considered the wettest place on Earth. On the slopes of this volcano, an average of 11,684 mm of precipitation falls in the form of rain. In 1982, a record was registered on it: then 16,916 mm fell on Vaialeal. Due to constant rainfall, the top of the volcano is usually hidden either in thick fog or haze.
Iolani Palace, the former residence of the Hawaiian monarchs in downtown Honolulu, is the only royal palace in the United States. In 1978, it opened to tourists as a museum, and before that, it had been used to house the Hawaiian government for 80 years.
The Hawaiian Islands are home to a third of the total number of endangered animal species in the United States.
Hawaiians eat over 6 million cans of canned Spam ham every year.
There is snow on the highest peaks of Hawaii.
The summit of Mauna Kea is ideal for astronomical observations. NASA telescopes and observatories from different countries are located here.
In the Hawaiian Islands, a special system of religious law (kapu) developed, consisting in a system of prohibitions, the violation of which was followed by severe punishment or even death. But there was also a way to avoid punishment: for this it was necessary to get to the puuhonua, a special shelter in which the offender was forgiven for all his sins.
Kilauea is one of the most active active volcanoes on Earth. The last volcanic eruption began on January 3, 1983 and continues to this day.
The Hawaiian Islands receive more than 6 million tourists every year, who spend $11 billion here.
During World War II, Kahoolawe Island was used as a training base for US soldiers and Marines. For training purposes, the island was bombed, which continued after the end of World War II. The US Navy stopped training on the island only by 1990, and in 1994 it was transferred to the jurisdiction of the state of Hawaii.
The Kualoa mountain range on Oahu has been used to film many movies and TV shows such as Jurassic Park and Lost.
One of the longest words in the Hawaiian language is humuhumunukunukuapua'a, which is the local name for the fish, angletail triggerfish.
The site of the famous Waikiki Beach was marshy until the 1920s. Sand was brought here from California until the 70s. Restoration work is carried out regularly to this day, as the sand from the beach is washed away at low tide.
The highest coastal cliffs in the world stretch along the northern coast of Molokai.
Every year on June 11, Hawaii celebrates the main holiday - the day of King Kamehameha. At the beginning of the century before last, the Hawaiian king Kamehameha I, in some cunning, completely peaceful Hawaiian way, managed to unite the scattered islands into a single Hawaiian state.
Soon a new island will appear in the Hawaiian archipelago. According to scientists, the underwater volcano Loihi will reach the surface in 250,000 years. Its summit is 980 meters from the surface of the ocean.
The average life expectancy in Hawaii is the longest in the United States: for men it is 75 years, for women - 80.
Do you know that…
Hawaii is called the "Island of Flowers". Like countries such as Colombia, Uganda and Thailand, Hawaii is famous for its rich flora with a huge variety of native and exotic species. Many orchids and rare plants grow here, such as plumeria, silver sword and candle tree. Of course, Hawaii has a record number of orchards. The national flower of Hawaii is the yellow hibiscus.
Do you know that…
The Pearl of the Pacific, or Hawaii, is one of the most beautiful places on earth. It is known for its rich marine life and pristine beaches.
Do you know that…
Hawaii is the birthplace of surfing. This sport was invented by kings and chiefs. In the 18th century, the Hawaiians named their sport "he´e nalu" (meaning "to ride the waves"). It is currently popular in South Africa, Cape Verde, Barbados, Peru, South Africa, Australia and the USA. Unlike other sports, windsurfing is not yet included in the program of the Olympic Games.
Do you know that…
King Kamehameha I (Kamehameha I) left a bright mark on Hawaiian history. In 1795 he united the islands.
Do you know that…
Hawaii had two queens, as did Egypt (Hachepsut and Cleopatra), Madagascar (Ranavalona I and Ranavalona III) and Ethiopia (Ulizero Taitu and Judik Melenik). In 1823, Kaahumanu became Queen of Haiti. The name of the second queen is Liliuokalani. She came to power in 1891. She was a passionate nationalist. However, her government in 1893 was defeated.
Do you know that…
the Hawaiian alphabet consists of only 12 letters: a, e, h, I, k, l, m, n, o, p, u, w. For example: ae (yes), ala (road), aole (no), hale (home), hana (work), haole (foreigner), hele mai (come here), hoomalimali (flattery), huhu (angry), hula (dance), kai (sea), kane (person), kapu (forbidden), kaukau (food), keiki (child), ko (sugar), mahalo (thank you), mahimahi (delicious fish), maikai (beautiful), manu (bird), mauna (mountain), moana (ocean), nani (beautiful), oe (you), nui (big) and aloha (welcome, friendship, goodbye and love).
Do you know that…
in the 1980s, traditional Hawaiian clothing entered the world fashion - an aloha skirt and sports shirts with an exotic pattern. Hawaiian shirts have been worn by superstars such as Richard Gere, Bob Barker, Timothy Hutton, Jack Nicholson and Paul Newman.
Do you know that…
Hawaii is the birthplace of many famous people, such as: singer and actress Yvonne Marianne Elliman, actress Tia Carrera, archaeologist Hiram Bingham, singer and actress Bette Midler, actress Nicole Kidman (Nicole Kidman), dancer Betty Jones (Betty Jones), athlete Keala O'Sullivan (Keala O'Sullivan), Miss USA and Miss Universe 1997 Brooke Mahealani Lee. (Brooke Mahealani Lee), actor Don Ho (Don Ho), athlete Duke Kahanamoku (Duke Paoa Kahanamoku), athlete Samuel Kahanamoku (Samuel Kahanamoku), athlete Warren Kealoha (Warren Kealoha), singer-songwriter Jack Johnson (Jack Johnson), singer Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, model and actress Kristina Anapau, actor Andy Bumatai, and model and actress Kelly Hu.
Do you know that…
in the 18th century, Bernice Pauahi Bishop was supposed to be the princess of Hawaii, but she did not accept the title. She donated money and time to charitable causes. She died in 1884. Bernice Bishop is considered a national Hawaiian heroine.
Do you know that…
The motto of Hawaii is "Ua Ma ke Ea o Ka Aina I ka Pono" ("The life of the country is immortalized in justice").
Do you know that…
Hawaii, along with Iceland, New Zealand and Taiwan, are among the islands with the most highly developed industries, but despite this, they have a wealth of nature and a subtle sense of beauty.
Do you know that…
Machu Picchu is one of the most famous ancient monuments in Latin America. The ruins of this Inca city were discovered by Hawaiian archaeologist Hiram Bingham in 1911.
Do you know that…
Duke Kahanamoku (full name Duke Paoa Kahinu Mokoe Hulikohola Kahanamoku) was one of the top US athletes of the 20th century. He was born on August 24, 1890 in the Hawaiian city of Honolulu. Throughout his career as a swimmer, from 1912 to 1920, he never slowed down. He died on January 22, 1968 in Honolulu. Duke Kahanamoke's name is inducted into the American Olympic Hall of Fame.
- Hawaii is nicknamed the "Aloha State". The word "aloha" is derived from the Proto-Polynesian "alofa" and its meanings include "love", "compassion", and "mercy". "Aloha" is used both as a word for greeting and farewell.
- The word "Hawaii" comes from the Proto-Polynesian "Hawaiki" and means "place of the gods" or "homeland".
- Hawaii is the only state not geographically located in North America, it is completely surrounded by water and does not have a straight line in its borders.
- Hawaiian-born Barack Obama became the first president born outside the continental United States.
- Due to constant volcanic eruptions, they are the only US state that has a growing land area.
- The official languages in Hawaii are Hawaiian and English, but Pidgin, Samoan, and Tongan are also spoken here.
- Hawaii is the only US state where coffee is grown, where tropical rainforests grow, and which is entirely composed of islands.
- In the 60s of the 20th century, astronauts who were preparing to fly to the moon trained on the frozen lava fields of Mauna Loa, which resembled the surface of the moon.
- One of the first cases of AIDS reported in the United States occurred in Hawaii. In May 1978, a 50-year-old Asian woman was diagnosed with the disease and died in August of that year.
- The only wild land snake found in Hawaii was the Hawaiian blind snake. It is believed to have been introduced in 1929 with plant soil from the Philippines intended for the landscaping of the Kamekameha school grounds.
- Hawaii became the first state to legalize abortion in 1970, three years before the Roe v. Wade hearing. (In Colorado, abortion was legal in 1967, but only in cases of rape or incest, or when the life of the mother was threatened.)
- Hawaii 5-0 was the longest-running cop series until Law & Order. Although the characters on the show worked for the state police department, in reality, Hawaii does not have a statewide police department or department of motor vehicles. They are controlled by the government of each state.
- Hawaii is the only state to honor the monarch by celebrating King Kamekamaha Day on June 11th since 1872. Kamekamaha is famous for having unified in 1810.
- Surfing or heenalu was invented thousands of years ago by the Polynesians who first inhabited. Their boards weighed over 150 pounds and were 20 feet long.
- Hawaii is the birthplace of the unique “smiley spider” (Theridion grallator), the coloring of its back surprisingly resembles a smiling face.
- Hawaii is home to only two species of mammals: the gray and white bat and the monk seal.
- When using the English alphabet to write words in Hawaiian, only 12 letters and the symbol "'" are used.
- Daytime biting mosquitoes first hit the scene in 1872 as "stowaways" on a merchant ship, bringing with them new diseases such as malaria and plague.
- Hawaii is the youngest American state, it became part of the state only on August 21, 1959.
- The eight horizontal stripes on the Hawaiian flag represent each of the state's main islands. In the upper left corner of the flag is a smaller version of the British flag as a tribute to British Captain George Vancouver who presented Hawaii with their first flag in 1794.
- In the past, Hawaiians gave lei to local alias, or chiefs, as a sign of respect. The leaders of the warring tribes, who wanted to go to reconciliation, sat down and together began to weave the lei.
- The hula dance was originally a form of worship performed by specially trained men. It was believed that the Hawaiian god Luka taught them the dance.
- The ancient Hawaiians believed that the heavier a woman, especially if she is a leader, the more beautiful she is.
- The island of Molokai is inhabited by a total of over 7,000 inhabitants, it is best known for its history: once there was a leper colony here.
- Hawaii is the southernmost state in the US.
- The island of Maui was named after the demigod who taught the Hawaiians how to make fire, invented the spear, and created a giant fishhook from the jaw of his dead grandmother. According to legend, when he was fishing with this hook, he fished it out of the sea.
- The first European to die on the islands was William Watman of Captain James Cook's gunnery team. In January 1799 he was paralyzed at Honaunau.
- When Captain Cook arrived on the island in 1778, he was hailed as the god Lono, as he arrived during the sacred festival. At first, the Hawaiians thought that Cook's ships were floating islands.
- Captain Cook originally named the Sandwich Islands after his English patron, the Earl of Sandwich. In 1819, King Kamehameha renamed the islands the Kingdom of Hawaii.
- The Hawaiians considered the shark (mano) a deity and treated it with great honor.
- While most people play the flute with their mouth, the ancient Hawaiians often played the flute (ohe hano ihn) with their nose. The nose was probably favored because of the Hawaiian belief that the nose was more pure or pure than the mouth, which could say many unpleasant things.
- The first Christian missionaries to arrive (around 1820) were shocked when they discovered that Hawaiian mothers practiced infanticide if their children were severely ill or if there were already too many children in the family. They were also struck by their exceptional expression of grief after the death of loved ones (such as knocking out their own teeth or tattooing their tongues).
