Hawaii is an archipelago composed of eighteen islands that stretch across a distance of 1,500 miles in the Pacific Ocean. Located 2,300 miles from the U.S. mainland, Hawaii was the last state to become part of the U.S. in 1959. Except for Easter Island, Hawaii is the furthest away from any other body of land in the whole world.

           Of those eighteen islands, eight of them are called the main islands: Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe, Maui, and Hawaii. The latter is the largest one, often called the "Big Island." This way, there is no confusion about whether someone is referring to the whole state of Hawaii, or just the island. Big Island is the fifth highest island in the world.

           All of the Hawaiian islands were formed by volcanoes that rose up from what is called a hotspot. There are about forty to fifty hotspots located on the earth's surface, all of which have experienced active volcanic activity for a long time. The theory is that while the tectonic plate beneath the Pacific Ocean moves in a northwesterly direction, the hotspot, located on the floor of the sea, doesn't move, and this is what slowly creates new volcanoes. The last volcanic eruption outside the Big Island happened in the 18th century at Haleakala on Maui. The newest volcano is called Loihi Seamount, located deep below the waters off the coast of the Big Island.

           Hawaii's volcanic activity has created its geological features, including Big Island's Mount Kea which has a height of 13,000 feet making it the tallest mountain in the state. The wide range of environments found on the islands has produced exotic flora and fauna. Hawaii has more endangered species per square mile than anywhere else. These include the Hawaiin monk seal and the yellow hibiscus, which is the state's official flower.

           Throughout Hawaii's history different industries at different times have been the most important ones, including sugarcane, pineapple, and whaling. Since statehood was achieved, tourism has been Hawaii's largest industry partly because of the temperate climates. Temperatures seldom go above the upper 80s and rarely go below the mid-60s and Maui and the Big Island are famous for their beautiful beaches where everyone can find something that they love to do. You can surf the waves, go wind sailing and scuba diving, or else go hiking in one of Hawaii's five national parks.