The debate really comes at what followed. These people, descendants of the seafaring Austronesians, most likely traveled form the Southern Marquesas Islands to begin permanent settlement of the Hawaiian chain. Although there are competing theories as to how Hawaii was first settled, all theories see the Polynesians as the first group to arrive in this island paradise in 300 AD. The isolation of the Hawaiian Islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, and the wide range of environments to be found on high islands located in and near the tropics, has resulted in a vast array of endemic flora and fauna. Although the volcanic activity has slowed over the millennia, there is an active volcano on the “Big Island”, making it even bigger. Thus over six million years, the Hawaiian Islands have been birthed from the sea. As the tectonic plate on which the Hawaiian Islands rest moves slowly to the northwest, new islands are created. However, if measured from its true base at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, Mauna Kea is taller than Mount Everest. With a peak of nearly 14,000 feet, Mauna Kea is a formidable mountain no matter how you measure it. To help with a visual, the tallest mountain in the Hawaiian chain is Mauna Kea located on the “Big Island”. In time, great mountains of magma breach the ocean’s surface and form volcanic islands. As the magma spills through the earth’s crust, it slowly accumulates on the ocean floor. Kaua’i rose from the ocean floor six million years ago, and the geographical gestation cycle continues today. The Hawaiian Islands were created by a series of volcanic eruptions, the first being Kaua’i. Beyond being the only state geographically located outside of the North American continent Hawaii is the only archipelago state, the only state to grow coffee, and the only state with a royal palace (which oddly enough is also situated on the southeastern shores of O’ahu). Many properties of the Hawaiian Islands make a unique addition to the United States. This seat of government is situated on the southeastern shores of O’ahu. The Hawaiian capital, as well as its largest city is Honolulu. Hawaii, the largest of the main islands, is often referred to as the “Big Island” so as not to confuse people with the name of the state. On these eight islands live the majority of Hawaii’s 1.3 million year round residents. There are eight main islands which most people think of when Hawaii is mentioned Ni’ihau, Kaua’i, O’ahu, Moloka’i, Lana’i, Kaho’olawe, Maui, and Hawai’i. The archipelago is made up of hundreds of islands encompassing nearly 11,000 square miles of land scattered over a 1,500 mile stretch of the South Pacific. The Hawaiian Islands are an archipelago 2,000 miles southwest of the continental United States. Hawaii is the most recent addition to the United States of America, joining the union as the 50th state on August 21, 1959. Before that discussion ensures (much to our delight) let’s look at the Hawaiian Islands and their history. It has carried over from ancient times and is still in place today. The people of the Hawaiian Islands have a rich history with Kava.
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