Hawaii History

“The Aloha State” became the 50th state in 1959, but the history of Hawaii goes back centuries earlier. Roughly 1,500 years ago, Polynesians from the Marquesas Islands first set foot on Hawaii's Big Island. With only the stars to guide them, they miraculously sailed over 2000 miles in canoes to migrate to the Islands.






500 years later, settlers from Tahiti arrived, bringing their beliefs in gods and demi-gods and instituting a strict social hierarchy based on a kapu (taboo) system. Hawaiian culture flourished over the centuries, giving rise to the art of the hula and the sport of surfing, but land division conflicts between ruling chieftains were common.




In 1778, Captain James Cook, landed on Kauai at Waimea Bay. Naming the archipelago the "Sandwich Islands" in honor of the Earl of Sandwich, Cook opened the doors to the west. Cook was killed only a year later in Kealakekua Bay on Hawaii's Big Island.








In 1791, North Kohala born Kamehameha united the warring factions of Hawaii’s Big Island and went on to unify all of the Hawaiian Islands into one royal kingdom in 1810. In 1819, less than a year after King Kamehameha's death, his son, Liholiho, abolished the ancient kapu system.








In 1820, the first Protestant missionaries arrived on Hawaii’s Big Island filling the void left after the end of the kapu system. Hawaii became a port for seamen, traders and whalers. The whaling industry boom flourished in Lahaina Harbor in Maui. Throughout these years of growth, western disease took a heavy toll on the Native Hawaiian population.



Western influence continued to grow and in 1893, American Colonists who controlled much of Hawaii's economy overthrew the Hawaiian Kingdom in a peaceful, yet still controversial coup. In 1898, Hawaii became a territory of the United States.

A Honolulu resident holds a newspaper celebrating Hawaii Statehood. (AP images)






In the 20th century, sugar and pineapple plantations fueled Hawaii's economy bringing an influx of Japanese, Chinese, Filipino and Portuguese immigrants. Lanai, under the leadership of James Dole, became known as the “Pineapple Island,” after becoming the world’s leading exporter of pineapple. This mix of immigrant ethnicities is what makes Hawaii’s population so diverse today.






On December 7, 1941, the Japanese launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on Oahu. Four years later, on September 2, 1945, Japan signed its unconditional surrender on the USS Battleship Missouri, which still rests in Pearl Harbor today. In 1959, Hawaii became the 50th State of the United States. Today, Hawaii is a global gathering place for visitors to share in the spirit of aloha. Beyond the sun and surf of the islands, we urge you to discover the rich cultural history of Hawaii to add even more depth to your visit.

Natural Wonder of Hawaii

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, established in 1916, is a United States National Park located in the U.S. State of Hawaiʻi on the island of Hawaiʻi. It displays the results of hundreds of thousands of years of volcanism, migration, and evolution—processes that thrust a bare land from the sea and clothed it with complex and unique ecosystems and a distinct Ancient Hawaiian culture.

Kīlauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes, and Mauna Loa, the most massive, offer scientists insights on the birth of the Hawaiian Islands and visitors' views of dramatic volcanic landscapes.

In recognition of its outstanding natural values, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park has been designated as an International Biosphere Reserve in 1980 and a World Heritage Site in 1987.

The park includes 505.3 square miles of land. Over half of the park is designated the Hawaii Volcanoes Wilderness area and provides unusual hiking and camping opportunities.

The park encompasses diverse environments that range from sea level to the summit of the Earth's most massive volcano, Mauna Loa at 13,677 feet . Climates range from lush tropical rain forests, to the arid and barren Kaʻū Desert. Active eruptive sites include the main caldera of Kīlauea and a more active but remote vent called Puʻu ʻŌʻō.

The main entrance to the park is from the Hawaii Belt Road. The Chain of Craters Road, as the name implies, leads past several craters from historic eruptions to the coast. It used to continue to another entrance to the park near the town of Kalapana, but that portion is now covered by a lava flow.

The main Visitor Center, located just within the park entrance includes displays and information about the features of the park. The nearby Volcano Art Center houses historical displays and an art gallery.

The Thomas A. Jaggar Museum, located a few miles west on Crater Rim Drive, features more exhibits and a close view of the Kīlauea's active vent Halemaʻumaʻu. The museum is named after scientist Thomas Jaggar, who was the first director of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, which adjoins the museum.

The observatory itself is operated by the U.S. Geological Survey and is not open to the public. Bookstores are located in the main visitor's center and the Jaggar Museum.The Kilauea Military Camp provides accommodations for U.S. military personnel.

As of 2008 the superintendent was Cindy Orlando.Volunteer groups also sponsor events in the park.

Geography of Hawaii

The Hawaiian archipelago is a string of islands and reefs, 3,300 kilometers long, that forms a broad arc in the mid-Pacific. An archipelago refers to a chain or cluster of islands that is formed tectonically. The archipelago begins in the east with the island of Hawaii and ends almost at the international date line with a small speck in the ocean called Kure Atoll. Only the easternmost 650 kilometers of the state contains islands of any size, as well as almost all of the state's population. It is this portion that is usually considered as the actual "Hawaii."

The eight main islands of Hawaii--Oahu, Hawaii, Maui, Kauai, Lanai, Molokai, Niihau, and Kahoolawe--contain more than 99 percent of the state's land area and all but a handful of its people. The island of Hawaii, at 8,150 square kilometers, comprises nearly two-thirds of the state's total area, and it is often referred to as simply the Big Island. The smallest of the eight, Kahoolawe, is 125 square kilometers and is uninhabited.

Tropical Climate of Hawaii

The latitude of Honolulu, about 21 18 N , is the same as Calcutta and Mexico City. As a result, there is little change in the length of daylight or the angle of incidence of the sun's rays from one season to another. This factor and the state's maritime position, means that there is little seasonal variation in temperature. It is variations in precipitation that mark the major changes in season on the islands.

During the summer, Hawaii is under the persistent influence of northeast trade winds, which approach the islands over cool waters located to the northeast and create characteristic Hawaiian weather--breezy, sunny with some clouds, warm but not hot.

In winter, these trade winds disappear, sometimes for weeks, allowing "invasions" of storms from the north and northwest. Honolulu has received as much as 43 centimeters of rain in a single 24-hour period. Hawaiian weather stations have also recorded 28 centimeters in an hour and 100 centimeters in a day, both of which rank near world records.


Facts of Hawaii

Population (1994): 1,178,000 (40th in size)
State size: 6,471 square miles (47th in size)
State Capital: Honolulu (name is Hawaiian for "Sheltered Bay")
Major cities: Hilo, Honolulu, Kailua, Pearl City
Admission to union: The 50th State
Date entered the union: August 21, 1959
Origin of state name: From the native word "Hawakiki", which means "homeland".
Nicknames: The Aloha State
Bordering states: Hawaii is an island surrounded by the Pacific Ocean.
State bird: Hawaiian Goose
State flower: Red Hibiscus
State tree: Kukui (Candlenut Tree)
Motto: The Life of the Land is Perpetuated in Righteousness

Tourist attraction of Chile

Main Attractions: Unexplored wilderness, volcanic mountains, national parks, beaches, etc.

One of the most beautiful and scenic destinations in South America is Chile. Located on the long and narrow western stretch of the continent, Chile is known for its beaches, glaciers and volcanic mountains. With nature in its best and most diverse forms, Chile is the ideal destination for all those who love to be intrigued by the wilderness and mystical places. The capital city of Chile is Santiago, which offers its tourists some of the best places to see and numerous tourist attractions. The topography of Chile is such that on one hand it has one of the driest places in the form of Atacama Desert and in the southernmost area, it has the coldest glaciers. This diversity of nature is something that should not be missed.

Bountiful Beaches
Chile’s long coastline makes it ideal for beach lovers to explore. Chile has many good beaches that let you surf, swim and also relax in the warm sun. Apart from that, there are many resorts and hotels on the coast itself, which means if you book well in advance, you can easily get a room with a beach view. Some of the beaches worth visiting are Vina del Mar (Chile’s premier beach resort), Renaca (Chile’s most extensive beach) and Concon (popular for surfing and delicious local food). The beaches are frequented by both locals and visitors and definitely must not be missed if you are planning to go to Chile.

Santiago - Capital City
The capital city of Chile, Santiago offers tourists a number of attractions. It is bordered by the Andes ranges in the east where you can go skiing. The place exudes a certain European flavor when you visit the main city. The architecture is primarily chic neoclassical, you can expect to see modern high-rise apartments as well as an elaborate underground Metro rail system. The city also has a number of restaurants and bars, hotels and clubs, historical museums, etc. There is something for everyone, be it an adventurous soul or an avid explorer.

Parque Nacional Puyehue
This is Chile’s most popular national park and it is situated in the Lake District, which is approximately 700 kilometers south of Santiago. This place is spectacular as it has two volcanic mountains, out of which one erupted and covered a substantial part of this forest in volcanic dust and debris. One can also find hot springs and geysers, waterfalls and a rich bird life over here. It is one of those places where you can be one with nature and explore natural beauty till it completely mesmerizes you. There are numerous nature trails to follow, stunning lakes to explore and even ski resorts!

Easter Islands
One of the major attractions of Chile is Easter Islands. The place is well-known for the colossal rocks that are carved to resemble huge human faces and are placed strategically across each other. The greatest attraction factor here is the fact that no one knows who carved these boulders and how did the monoliths come into existence. This one mystery intrigues people who come from some of the farthest corners of the world to view the mysterious boulders and the lovely scenery that surrounds.

Culture of Chile

Language in Chile

Spanish is the official language of Chile. There are also quite a few indigenous languages such as Mapudungun that spoken between the Itata and Tolten rivers and Aymara that spoken in the mountains of the north.


Chilean Culture and Society

Religion
. Most Chileans are Roman Catholics. The religion has played a large role in defining social and political life.

. Religious instruction in public schools is almost exclusively Roman Catholic. Abortion is actually illegal due to the influence of the Church.

. Divorce was illegal until 2004.

. Most national holidays are religious in nature.

. Chileans of more mature generations still celebrate their saint's day as much as they do their own birthday.


The Role of the Family


. The family occupies a central role in Chilean life.

. Extended families are very close and will frequently congregate for major occasions and celebrations.

. Family and business are intertwined to the extent that nepotism is seen as a positive concept.

. Many small firms will be 100% family run.



Class Structure

. Chilean history has had a large influence on modern day class lines.

. Today's wealthiest class are more or less the same land owning families of before.

. A middle class has developed of late and now accounts for nearly a half of the population.

Classes are fluid and it is possible to move either upwards or downwards depending on your salary.


Etiquette and Customs in Chile

Meeting & Greeting

. Men will usually shake hands.

. Women generally pat each other on the right forearm or shoulder.

. These are always accompanied by the appropriate greeting for the time of day - "buenos dias" (good morning), "buenas tardes" (good afternoon) or "buenas noches"(good evening).

. Between friends and family things will relax and become more unreserved - men may embrace and energetically pat each other on the back whilst women will kiss once on the right cheek.

. Always let your Chilean counterpart progress to this stage of formality.

. Like many South Americans, Chileans use both their maternal and paternal surnames. The father's surname is listed first and is the one used in conversation.

. If you know of any titles always try to use them. . If no title exists then simply use "Senor" (male) or "Senora" (female) followed by the surname.

. When addressing older people with whom you have a personal relationship, who may be referred to as "don" (male) or "dona" (female) with their first name.

. First names are used between close friends - wait until invited to move to a first name basis.

Gift Giving Etiquette

Gifts are usually given for birthdays and Christmas. Some general etiquette guidelines include:

. If invited to a Chilean's home, take sweets/chocolates or wine for the hostess.

. Send flowers in advance.

. Do not give yellow roses as they indicate contempt.

. Do not give purple or black flowers as they symbolize death.

. Do not give scissors or knives as they indicate you want to sever the relationship.

. For a young girl's 15th birthday, a gift of gold jewellery is the norm.

. Gifts are opened when received.



Dining Etiquette


. Dining etiquette can be quite formal in Chile.

. As a general rule, observe and follow if ever unsure.

. Here are some basic dining etiquette guidelines:

- When sitting wait to be shown to your place.

- Women sit before men.

- The hostess invites people to eat.

- Keep your hands visible when eating. Keep your wrists resting on the edge of the table.

- Always use utensils to eat.

- Avoid speaking with eating utensils in your hands.

- It is considered polite to finish everything on your plate.

- Wait for a toast to be made before taking the first sip of your drink.

- The host makes the first toast.

- The most common toast is "Salud!"

- When you lift your glass, look at the person being toasted.

- Pour wine with the right hand only.

For my opinion, the culture of Chile has a lot of similarity with my own culture. We has to always pay attention when social with people from different culture to avoid misunderstanding.

Flag of Chile

The national flag of Chile is also known as the Lone Star. It consists of two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red and a blue square the same height as the white band in the canton, which bears a white five-pointed star in the center. It was adopted on October 18, 1817.

The star represents a guide to progress and honor; blue symbolizes the sky and the Pacific Ocean, white is for the snow-covered Andes, and red stands for the blood spilled to achieve independence.

According to the epic poem La Araucana, the colors were derived from those from the flag flown by the Mapuche during the Arauco War. "Flag Day" is held each year on the ninth of July to commemorate the 77 soldiers who died in the 1882 Battle of La Concepción.

Geography of Chile

Geography

Chile is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It located at the south of Peru and southeast of Bolivia. The Pacific coastline of Chile is 6,435 kilometres. Chilean territory includes the Pacific islands of Juan Fernández, Salas y Gómez, Desventuradas, and Easter Island.

The shape of Chile is a distinctive, multi-colored ribbon of land 4,300 kilometres (2,700 mi) long and on average 175 kilometres (109 mi) wide.

Climate

Chile's climate varies, from the world's driest desert-the Atacama-in the north, through a Mediterranean climate in the center, to a rainy temperate climate in the south. The northern desert contains great mineral wealth. The small central area dominates in terms of population and agricultural resources, and it is the cultural and political center that was expanded in the late 19th century. Southern Chile is rich in forests and grazing lands and it features a string of volcanoes and lakes. The southern coast is a labyrinth of fjords, inlets, canals, twisting peninsulas, and islands.

Population

The population of Chile was estimated at 15,153,797 in July of 2000 with an annual growth rate of 1.7 percent. According to the Population Reference Bureau, with a projected annual population growth rate of 1.29 percent, the population is expected to reach 19.55 million by the year 2025 and 22.21 million by 2050.

Ethnicity groups

The Chilean population is estimated at nearly 95% White and Mestizo (mixed white and Amerindian); 3% Amerindian (indigenous people of pre-Columian era); and 2% other. Mixtures between the conquering Spaniards, largely Andalusians and Basques, and the Mapuches produced the principal Chilean racial type. An indigenous population of perhaps as many as 600,000 pure Mapuches live mainly in Temuco and in the forest region south of the Bío-Bío River. Remnants of other small tribal groups are found in isolated oases within the northern desert or live a nomadic existence on the archipelagos and islands of the extreme southern coast. A small minority of Germans and their descendants live in the Valdivia-Puerto Montt area.