夏威夷的英文简介

夏威夷的英文简介
夏威夷的英文简介

夏威夷的英文简介
Hawaii: Introduction/History

Hawaii is located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and in the middle of the Pacific Plate. In this map the major tectonic plates are each given a different color. The Pacific Plate is blue.
Hawaii is a unique archipelago (island chain) formed from a geologic 'hot spot' (see next section on Geology for details). It will always be changing over millions of years. Hawaii arises from the deep ocean floor of the North Pacific Ocean, right in the middle of the Pacific tectonic plate. Because of this, its mountain peaks are the highest on Earth - a total of close to 32,000 feet from bottom to top (rising from 18,000 feet below the surface of the ocean to about 14,000 feet above sea level). The Hawaiian island chain is composed of volcanoes in all stages - active erupting ones (sometimes making new acreage), dormant ones eroding away, and dead ones that may have subsided below the ocean. Hawaii is one of the most isolated of the islands on Earth - being over 3,000 miles from the closest continental land mass and 2,000 miles from the nearest island.

The four main Hawaiian Islands.
Today we know four main Hawaiian Islands - Kaui, Oahu, Maui, Hawaii. These formed about five million years ago or less. Originally the islands were devoid of any life forms.
Ocean currents brought marine creatures, in the form of microscopic planktonic larvae, that settled and grew into the bottom dwellers (coral, seastars, sea cucumbers, etc.). Once the bottom dwellers (benthos) became established, a whole ecosystem flourished. Many fish and large pelagic vertebrates found a niche in the Hawaiian waters, coming here to feed or reproduce during specific seasons.

Hawaii's typical vegetation on the wet sides of the islands.
On land seeds were brought by winds, currents, or transported on the feathers and feet of visiting birds. As plants grew on land any herbivorous (plant eating) animals could survive. Some of these animals arrived floating on logs or vegetation mats from the far away continents and flying species arrived by air. It was the rare arriving species that could find enough to eat in order to survive in the early days of each island as the vegetation got established. In order for a species to continue to exist, these new arrivals needed to arrive with a mate or be a pregnant female. Over millions of years animals did arrive and the unique ecosystem of Hawaii's islands established itself.

Hawaiian petroglyphs near Waikoloa, Hawaii with the Kings highway (trail) in the background are well preserved and were made sometime between 1400 and 1800.
The first people believed to settle in Hawaii came sometime between 300 and 500 A.D. - probably from the Marquesas Islands (2,500 miles away). Around 1,000-1,300 A.D. another group of settlers arrived, this time from the Society Islands. The early settlers brought pigs, dogs, and their own edible plants that forever changed the native Hawaiian ecosystems.

One of the thick walls made of lava used by the early Hawaiians for protection (left). Closeup of the perfect fit of the lava rocks made by the early Hawaiians (right).
Captain Cook is believed to be the first European visitor. In 1778 he accidentally ran into the Hawaiian Islands while on his way to Alaska. The Hawaiians had an elaborate social class system and strict laws governing behavior. Much of this was documented by early visitors. The native Hawaiians used the abundant lava rocks to build walls for protection and religious purposes. Many of these walls still exist as historic sites. The lava rocks were fit together perfectly so there was little space in between.

In the 1800s Hawaii was discovered for its economic value (land, whales, people) and settled by peoples from all over the world. The United States annexed Hawaii in 1898 and it became a United States Territory in 1900. The islands became a center for pineapple and sugar production. In 1959 Hawaii became the 50th state in the United States of America.

City of Refuge (ancient place where outcasts could be safe in Hawaiian culture).


Magic sands beach near Kailua-Kona Hawaii is a favorite local and tourist beach. The sand from this beautiful sandy beach dissappears occasionally in big storms but always returns thus the name of the beach as "magic sands."
Hawaii is a popular vacation destination today and a location for unique studies in marine science. The Hawaiian customs of hula, luaus, ukulele music and the traditional lei remain as special memories to all who live in or visit Hawaii. The unique Hawaiian word 'aloha' is used for both a welcome and a good bye.
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Introduction to Hawaii



There's no place on earth quite like this handful of sun-drenched, mid-Pacific islands. The Hawaii of South Seas literature and Hollywood films really does exist. Here you'll find palm-fringed blue lagoons, lush rainforests, hidden gardens, cascading waterfalls, wild rivers running through rugged canyons, and soaring volcanoes. And oh, those beaches -- gold, red, black, and even green sands caressed by an endless surf. The possibilities for adventure -- and relaxation -- are endless. Each of the six main islands is separate, distinct, and infinitely complex. There's far too much to see and do on any 2-week vacation, which is why so many people return to the Aloha State year after year.
Unfortunately, even paradise has its share of stifling crowds and tourist schlock. If you're not careful, your trip to Hawaii could turn into a nightmare of tourist traps selling shells from the Philippines, hokey faux culture like cellophane-skirted hula dancers, overpriced exotic drinks, and a 4-hour time-share lecture before you get on that "free" sailing trip. That's where this guide comes in. As a Hawaii resident, I can tell the extraordinary from the merely ordinary. This book will steer you away from the crowded, the overrated, and the overpriced -- and toward the best Hawaii has to offer. No matter what your budget, this guide will help ensure that every dollar is well spent.
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Welcome to Hawaii, the Aloha state. Comprised of eight main islands, Hawaii is home of the world's most active volcano, the crater of Kilauea on Mauna Loa. Sandy beaches, towering volcanoes, and lush valleys lure thousands of tourists each year to this tropical paradise.

Honolulu, HI
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Hawaii is the most ethnically and racially diverse state of any state in the union, a mix that includes Caucasians, Americans of Japanese descent, and Polynesians, among others. Native Hawaiians have held on to many of their customs and traditions despite the influx of non-natives over the years. Hawaii is the only state that has an official native language. Statehood had been proposed many times throughout Hawaii's history, but it was not until 1959 that Hawaii became the 50th state of the United States.

THE NAME:
Though Captain James Cook called the islands that he discovered in 1778 the Sandwich islands, this honor to the Earl of Sandwich would be short-lived. King Kamehameha I united the islands under his rule by 1819 as the Kingdom of Hawaii.
A couple of theories exist on the origin of the name Hawaii. One theory has it that the name comes from a combination of the words "Hawa" and "ii" and means a small or new homeland; "Hawa" meaning a traditional homeland and "ii" meaning small and raging. The other theory is that the name comes from the traditional discoverer of the islands, Hawaii Loa.

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Hawaii (Introduction)
In the centre of the Pacific lies the Sandwich Islands. This string of vulcanic island overgrown with lush tropical vegetation is better known as the Hawaii Archipel.
Hawai'i is full of contrasts and extremes - winter snow lies at the top of Mt Mauna Kea, rainfall can vary hundreds of inches within the space of a few miles and it has the world's tallest sea cliffs and largest Pacific mountain mass.




A tropical paradise of turquoise bays, white sandy beaches, waving palms, lush tropical vegetation and balmy sunshine all year round, this beautiful archipelago of soaring volcanic peaks has 21 of the world's 22 climatic zones.
There are 120 islands, but tourism is restricted to six of the eight most southerly islands, seven of which are inhabited. Each island had its own royal family.

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