The role of the Hawaiian region
in the US economy, politics and
cultural life
The State of Hawaii
• Nickname: The Aloha
State
• Capital: Honolulu
(Oahu island), is the
capital and the largest
city.
• The state's name is
derived from a native
word for homeland,
hawaiki or owhyhee.
Geography
• Admittance to the
Union - Aug 21, 1959
(50th state)
• 8 main islands:
Niihau, Kauai, Oahu,
Maui, Molokai, Lanai,
Kahoolawe and the
Big Island of Hawaii.
Historical facts
• 1778 - the first recorded European contact by
British explorer James Cook.
• 1810 - 1893 The Kingdom of Hawaii existed, the
monarchy was overthrown by native born
Hawaiians of American ancestry.
• 1894 - it was an independent republic
• 1898 - it was annexed by the US.
• 1900 - it became a territory.
• 1941 -The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor
• 1959 – since then it has been a state.
Ethnicities
The racial makeup according to the United States Census Bureau 2006
30.65% - White
20.29% - Asian
15.61% - Pacific Islander
7.80% - Hispanic or Latino of any race.
0.33% - African American
0.17% - Native American
0.73% - from other races,
32.23% - from two or more races.
Hawaii has a de facto population of over 1.3 million due to military
presence and tourists.
! The average projected lifespan of those born in Hawaii in the year 2000 is
79.8 years - LONGER than the residents of any other state
Ancestry Groups
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Ancestry
Percentage of Total
Japanese
(16.7%)
Polynesian
(16%)
Filipino
(14.1%)
German
(5.8%)
Chinese
(4.7%)
Irish
(4.4%)
British (England)
(4.3%)
Portuguese
(4.0%)
Puerto Ricans
(2.5%)
Korean
(1.9%)
African
(1.8%)
Italian
(1.8%)
Mexican
(1.6%)
French
(1.5%)
Language and linguistic situation
• 2 official languages: English and Hawaiian
• Hawaii Creole English (Pidgin) is a native
dialect
2nd - Tagalog (most are bilingual in Wikang
Filipino)
3rd – Japanese
4th - Ilokano
Economy
TOURISM HAS BEEN
the largest
industry(24.3% of
GSP)
• Industries: Tourism,
food processing,
apparel, fabricated
metal products, stone,
clay, and glass
products.
Agriculture
• Sugarcane
• Pineapples (more than
1/3 of the world‘s supply),
• Nursery stock and
livestock
• Macadamia nuts
(worldwide leader).
• Hawaii is the only state
that grows coffee.
Law and Government
• Governed by a state constitution that was
originally adopted in 1950
• Governmental structure is unique:
2 levels of government: the state and the 4
counties. No municipal governments.
• 2004 - John Kerry won the state’s 4 electoral
vote with 54% of the vote.
• 2008 – Barack Obama won the Hawaiian
Democratic Caucus on Feb 19th with 76% of the
vote.
CULTURE
• The aboriginal culture
of Hawaii is
Polynesian.
• It is strong enough to
have affected the
culture of the United
States.
Music
• Styles like slack-key
guitar are well-known
worldwide
• Hawaiian-tinged
music is a frequent
part of Hollywood
soundtracks.
• A major contribution
to country music - an
introduction of the
steel guitar.
Cuisine of Hawaii
• A fusion of many
cuisines, particularly of
American, Chinese,
Filipino, Japanese,
Korean, Polynesian and
Portuguese origins,
including food sources
from plants and animals
imported for Hawaiian
agricultural use from all
over the world.
Aloha to the King!
• Lei-draped statue of King
Kamehameha
• Today, every June 11, the
giant statue is decorated
and festivities include
parades on every island,
arts and crafts fairs,
sports challenges,
pageantry, and an
international hula
competition.
Okinawan Festival and Ching Ming
Chinese Tradition
• Many Japanese
people (over 125,000)
came with their
traditions.
• In Hawaii, the
Chinese practices has
a stronger presence
than in other parts of
the United States.
Surfing
• Surfing is considered
part of modern
American pop culture,
but the sport actually
developed centuries
ago in Polynesia in
the Pacific Ocean. It
was later brought to
Hawaii in the eighth
century.
Famous people from Hawaii
• Barack Obama (born
Aug4,1961) Hawaii-born
Illinois Senator and 2008
presidential candidate
• Nicole Kidman
(born June 20, 1967) Oscar
winning actress
• America's History from American Library
http://www.americaslibrary.gov/cgibin/page.cgi/jb/colonial
• A Timeline of The USA
http://www.scaruffi.com/politics/american.html
• Explore the States
http://www.americaslibrary.gov/cgi-bin/page.cgi/es
• http://www.wordiq.com/definition/Waimea%2C_Hawaii_C
ounty%2C_Hawaii
• http://www.50states.c
• om/hawaii.htm
• www.hawaii.gov