All About Hawaii: Check History, Map, Economy and Education

The 50th state of the United States is a unique and captivating island chain located in the Hawaii, Central Pacific Ocean. Known for its amazing natural beauty, tropical climate, and rich cultural heritage, Hawaii attracts millions of visitors from all over the world every year. However, beyond its beaches and resorts, Hawaii has a deep and complex history that is shaped by Polynesian settlers, European explorers, and American expansion.

It is the only American state made entirely of islands and is the only one with a native royal history. From its early days as an independent state to its annexation by the United States and the final state in 1959, Hawaii has played a special role in American history. Today, the air economy thrives on tourism, agriculture, and the army, while its education system is unique as the only statewide public school system in the nation. Hawaii continues to balance modern development with conservation of its cultural identity.

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History of Hawaii

The history of Hawaii is rich, complex, and contrary to any other American state. It began 1,000 years ago, when Polynesian voyagers from islands such as Tahiti and Marquesas arrived in a double-hulled canoe, along with them brought their language, traditions, and navigation skills. These early settlers formed a society on the basis of farming, fishing, and respect for nature and gods. In 1778, the British explorer Captain James Cook became the first European to visit Hawaii, leading to an increase in Western influence.

In 1810, King Kamehameha I successfully united all the Hawaiian islands under a state, established a centralized monarchy. During the 19th century, American missionaries and traders gained influence, especially in Chinese and Pineapple Industries. In 1893, the aerial monarchy was overthrown with the support of the US government. Hawaii was annexed by the United States in 1898 and became the 50th US state in 1959.

Economy of Hawaii 

Hawaii has an economy that is like no other in the world, due to its location, natural beauty, and cultures. The economy is mainly driven by a few sectors:

1. Tourism

Tourism is the predominant and most important sector of Hawaii's economy. Every year, millions of visitors travel to Hawaii for the beaches, volcanoes, culture, and scenery. The tourism industry supports hundreds and thousands of jobs in hotels, restaurants, transportation, and entertainment. However, tourism also limits Hawaii's economy during periods of global events such as a recession or pandemic.

2. Military

The U.S. military is one of the largest employers in Hawaii. The largest bases, such as Pearl Harbor, are contributors to Hawaii's economy due to defense-related jobs, infrastructure, and local businesses.

3. Agriculture

Agriculture was once very dependent on sugar and pineapple plantations. Now agriculture is considerably smaller, but still employs workers on coffee, macadamia nuts, tropical fruit, flowers, and aquaculture.

Education in Hawaii

Hawaii's educational system is special, being a single statewide public school system overseen by the Hawaii Department of Education (HIDOE) that serves all islands and consists of over 250 public schools. Hawaii features public charter schools, which allow for different approaches to education (often Hawaiian culture or STEM); in addition, there are many well-respected private schools throughout the state. 

The University of Hawaiʻi system serves a broad spectrum of educational programs at multiple campuses: UH Mānoa, UH Hilo, a number of community colleges, and the UH system focuses on Hawaiian language, environmental education, and college readiness. Nevertheless, Hawaii has its share of current challenges and barriers, including a teacher shortage and unequal opportunities in rural areas.