Hawaii Islands Comprised Of Lava From Underground Volcanoes
Hawaii Islands Comprised Of Lava From Underground Volcanoes
The 50th state in the United States is made up of a string of islands collectively known as Hawaii, but the largest of the islands in the string is also known as Hawaii which often causes some confusion. To make it clear which island is being referred to, many simply call the island of Hawaii the big island. The Hawaii islands are actually the result of underground lava formation beginning in the floor of the ocean and building upwards until the magma extended above the depths of the Pacific Ocean.
There are eight inhabited islands in the string of the Hawaii islands with many others tipping their faces out of the water, but due to size and resources are not inhabited. Nihau, the north west-most island is the smallest of the settled island and the big island is located to the furthest southeast link in the chain of the Hawaii islands. Oahu is home to the state capital Honolulu as well as most tourist attractions, chosen by former ruler King Kamehamea due to the proximity of the natural harbor, now known as Honolulu Harbor.
Other lands in the Hawaii islands include Kauai, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoulawe and Maui. Transportation between these islands is provided by air or boat with the larger islands having airports capable of accepting large commercial aircraft and others smaller, commuter aircraft.
Nature Helped Bring Life To Volcanic Land
With the Hawaii islands beginnings traced back to barren lava growth, it is theorized that plants and animals were brought to the islands by wind currents, in the water and by flying birds. When the first human inhabitants arrived for Polynesia in about 500 A.D., plants and animals had already claimed the island and recent conservation methods have insured the continued growth and stable habitat for the native species.
The Hawaii islands became an important strategy for the U.S. Navy and Air Force, even before the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. While still home to U.S. military bases, which provide a large population with civilian job opportunities, it is also home to the monuments for the soldiers who perished in the attack.
Hawaii islands population has grown tremendously, especially since becoming a state in 1959, as the census in 1910 recorded a population of about 154,000. Inhabitants have increased to over 1.2 million in 2000. The Hawaii islands are the only U.S. state completely surrounded by water and is located about 1,500 miles away from mainland at the west coast of California.