Hawaii (island)

Hawaii (Hawaiian: Hawaii, older even Owyhee, today Big Iceland ) is approximately 10,433 km ², the largest island of the U.S. state of Hawaii and the largest island of the United States. 2007 lived about 173,000 inhabitants on the Big Iceland who earn mainly on tourism, but also the cultivation of bananas and Kona coffee.

The island is dominated by the volcanic activity, on the one hand by the two adjacent volcanoes Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea, on the other hand by the highly active Kīlauea.

Volcanism

The island, which is geologically - oceanographic part of the Hawaii - Emperor seamount chain of islands consists of five major volcanoes: Kohala ( extinct ) in the north, the west Hualālai (active, last eruption in the 19th century), Mauna Kea in the East ( asleep ), Mauna Loa to the south, and Kīlauea in the southeast. All belong to the most recent of a series of volcanoes that gave rise to the Hawaiian Islands, while the Pacific plate moving over a locally fixed hot spot in the mantle. Both Mauna Loa and Kīlauea are very active, with the current eruption of Kīlauea has been going on since 1983. The youngest volcano Loihi is located south of the coast of Hawaii and has not yet reached the sea surface.

The 9200 -acre Hawaii Volcanoes National Park was established in 1916 and covers the western flank of Mauna Loa and the most active volcano on earth, the Kīlauea, with the continuously active since 1983 Puu Oo crater side.

Mythology

In the Hawaiian mythology embedded in the caldera of Kīlauea active lava lake of Halemaumau is regarded as the seat of the volcano goddess Pele.

Etymology

While in other Polynesian languages ​​Hawaiian or related names refer to the ancestral home of the ancestors, the word in the Hawaiian language has no meaning.

Astronomy

On the summit of Mauna Kea is the Mauna Kea Observatory, one of the most important astronomical observatories of the present.

Tourism

Hilo is about 47,000 inhabitants and is the capital of the island and is primarily starting point for excursions to the volcanoes and the orchid gardens ( Nani Mau Gardens ).

West of Hilo are at the end of Highway 220, the waterfalls Ka Uao Waianuenue (Rainbow Falls, Rainbow Falls ). North of Hilo are the waterfalls of Akaka ( Akaka Falls).

Especially on the south side of the island there are numerous black sand beaches.

Kailua -Kona is home to numerous hotels, souvenir shops and restaurants. The town with 37,500 inhabitants, has its own airport. Some museums and the oldest church in Hawaii, in 1823, built of lava rock Mokuaikaua Church across from Hulihee Palace are to visit here. Each year in October, Kona is the home of the legendary Hawaii Ironman competition.

The so-called Painted Church, " St. Benedict's " in Keokea, on Highway 11, is a painted wooden church. The missionary who built it, was also a good painter. For lack of books, he painted the wooden walls of the church with biblical motifs.

Puuhonua o Hōnaunau was a burial place for chiefs and once a refuge for taboo - breaker that were safe from persecution here.

Kealakekua Bay, at the end of Highway 160, is next to a good snorkeling spot also a historic site. Here in 1779 James Cook ( Captain Cook) was killed by the Hawaiians.

Waimea / Kamuela home to 6,000 inhabitants and is the capital of the Parker Ranch, which is the largest family owned and operated ranch in the U.S. with more than 90,000 acres of land and about 60,000 cattle.

In Kapaau in the northwest of Hawaii, is the original statue of King Kamehameha I.

Symbol of the island is the Lehua flower of the Ohia tree, which grows as the first tree on the new lava fields.

Sports

In Hawaii, held in Kailua- Kona on the west coast in October every year with the Hawaii Ironman World Championship Triathlon Long Distance ( 3.86 km swim, 180 km bike, 42.195 km running) instead.

Culture

The focus of the East Hawaii Cultural Center in Hilo is on the study of indigenous culture.

• Gallery

Lava enters the sea

Puuhonua o Hōnaunau ( City of Refuge )

Sunset in Kona

Hi'ilawe waterfalls in Waipio Valley

Monument of King Kamehameha I in Kapaau

Lehua, flower of the Ohia tree

Kona coffee