Hawai’i is known for its tropical climate, unique topography, and natural environment, as well as its multicultural population.
The most isolated islands on Earth
GEOGRAPHY
The study of places and the relationships between people and their environments.
CLIMATE
The weather conditions prevailing in an area in general or over a long period.
GEOGRAPHY
Hawai’i is made up of eight major islands and more than a hundred small rocky islands. Chains of islands like this are called archipelagos. The main islands are Niʻihau, Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Kahoʻolawe, Maui, and the island of Hawaiʻi. People live on every island except Kaho`olawe. The island of O`ahu has the largest population and the biggest city — Honolulu, which is also state capital. In 1959 Hawai'i joined the United States as our 50th state!
Hawai'i Island - "The Big Island"
Kamai lives in Kailua-Kona on Hawai'i island, also known as the "Big Island" — to avoid confusion with the state name. Hawai'i island is so big (4,028 square miles) that the other Hawaiian islands could fit on it almost twice. It is also the youngest in the Hawaiian chain (800,000 years old). The island is still forming by volcanoes that are active, even today!
The Five Volcanoes of the Big Island
The island of Hawai'i consists of five volcanoes. These volcanoes, from oldest to youngest, are named: Kohala, Mauna Kea, Hualālai, Mauna Loa, and Kīlauea.
Mauna Kea is the tallest mountain in the world. This is because it is measured from the sea floor; most of the mountain is under water. When measured from the ocean floor, Mauna Kea is over 10,000 m (33,000 ft) tall — taller than Mount Everest! This dormant volcano last erupted about 4,500 years ago.
FUN FACT
The volcano Mauna Kea is so high that its peak has snow in the winter, attracting skiers from all over the world!
Kohala has not erupted for 120,000 years, and is extinct, meaning it will not erupt again. However, Hualālai, Mauna Loa, and Kīlauea are all considered active. While Hualālai last erupted about 200 years ago and Mauna Loa last erupted in 1984, both might erupt again.
Kīlauea, the youngest and most active volcano, has been erupting continuously since 1983. The 2018 lava flow destroyed many homes.
The island chains continue to grow. Just 20 miles off the south east coast of the Big Island, a new volcano is forming under the ocean. Named Lō'ihi, this new island is still about 3000 ft below sea level and is currently active and growing.
CLIMATE
The tropical climate of Hawai'i is often considered to be the world’s ideal, thanks to northeast trade winds, which happen throughout most of the year and keep temperatures from getting too hot.
Hawai'i has two seasons: Summer (kau) lasts from May through October, with high temperatures and steady trade winds. Winter (ho‘oilo), the rainy season, lasts from November to April, with cooler temperatures and frequent rainstorms. This is also when the big waves hit the shores and the best surfers can be seen!
Check out this video of Mike Parson surfing a 65-foot wave at Jaws (Peahi) on Maui, Hawaii. Cinematography by Peter Fuszard.
Hawai’i Island Climate
There are 13 different climate zones in the world – and 8 of them can be found on the island of Hawai’i, where Kamai lives. Each climate zone has its own unique ecosystems, ranging from tropical dry forest to underground lava tube systems, and from windswept coastal dunes to snow on Mauna Kea!
