History and Culture A _ 2012-2013: Hawaii

Quick facts

Nickname: The Aloha State

Motto: “The Life of the Land is Perpetuated in Righteousness”

Anthem: “Hawaii’s Own True Sons”

Official languages: English and Hawaiian.

Capital (and largest city): Honolulu

American state since 1959

Only U.S. state made up entirely of islands.

The eight "main islands" are Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe, Maui, and Hawaii. The last is by far the largest and is often called "The Big Island" to avoid confusion with the state as a whole.

Climate and geography

Hawaii’s natural and diverse scenery, warm tropical climate, abundance of public beaches and oceanic surrounding, and active volcanoes make it a popular destination for tourists, surfers, biologists, and volcanologists alike.

Historical information

Hawaii is one of four states that were independent prior to becoming part of the United States, along with the Vermont Republic (1791), the Republic of Texas (1845), and the California Republic (1846), and one of two, along with Texas, that had formal diplomatic recognition internationally.[i] The Kingdom of Hawaii was sovereign from 1810 until 1893 when the monarchy was overthrown by resident American (and some European) businessmen. It was an independent republic from 1894 until 1898, when it was annexed by the United States as a territory, becoming a state in 1959.[ii]

Hawaii was the target of a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor by Imperial Japan in 1941.

Economy

Hawaii's dominant industries are sandalwhood, whaling, sugarcane, pineapple, coffee, macadamia nuts, livestock, military, tourism and education.

State symbols

Seal