The result is the formation of hills, mountains or islands as in the case of Hawaii, depending on the pressure of the eruption. These islands were first inhabited in the 900s by the Polynesians, these were settlers coming from another remote group of islands in the South Pacific. These are Tahiti and the islands of French Polynesia. The islands existed in splendid isolation for over 500 years. The men were wonderful shipbuilders, navigators and sailors who followed the stars at night, ocean currents and sea birds in daylight, setting out to explore the oceans. The women on the other hand were highly respected and played a significant role in society as healers, priests, and political advisers to the chiefs of the islands. Men and women ate separately and often had no communication for days because of different problems that had to be dealt with. Hawaii is located close to the Tropic of Cancer. There are about 130 islands in total. For generations these people continued to move with their extended families. 

Carrying with them pigs, chickens, some livestock and a wide variety of plants, fruit trees, seeds and vegetables. In preparation for wherever they might reach land. Arriving on the Hawaiian Islands the climate was excellent for growing bananas, coconuts, pineapples, apples, potatoes, and a plethora of trees. The animals and birds thrived on the fertile soil. Culture and traditions of the Polynesian islands were upheld for generations but eventually adventurers started to move in. 

The island of Oahu, or the ‘Gathering Place’ so called because of the diverse people that populated this island from east and west, their cultures and traditions are a joy to observe and discover when you visit. Oahu has become a destination wedding venue. Having the license arranged, ministers or civil administrators booked, one can tie the knot on a beach with a romantic hut on a carpet of white sand, or why not balance yourself on a surfboard while exchanging vows with the celebrant asking you to repeat after me. 

Honolulu is the state capital, the closest city to Pearl Harbour, there’s a fantastic visitors centre here commemorating that fateful day in December 1941 when its Naval Base was targeted by the Japanese. The stories of this surprise attack are superbly illustrated and documented. Plaques and memorials with the names of personnel who lost their lives. This attack marks the date when the USA declared war on Japan bringing America into WWII. 

Hilo, the island that has 140 inches of rain annually. Hiking through 240 kilometres of rainforest with waterfalls cascading down, two active volcanoes, experience tracking on volcanic craters as you go through the Volcanoes National Park. In 2018 Kilauea last erupted, it is the world’s most studied volcano. Insects are plentiful because of the climate, and as an addition to this a variety of birds are plentiful because of the insects. 

Maui, this is without fear of contradiction, the best of the Hawaiian Islands to visit. A crystal clear ocean, beaches with black and white sands, that are a result of volcanic activity. The variety of marine species is delightful, when one is snorkeling the colours are a world of beauty. The cuisine that’s on offer is a gift for the palate.

Kauai, ‘The Garden Isle’, another of the islands that owes its variety of plants, trees and flowers to the rainfalls, most of the island can be described as a rainforest. The dramatic cliffs and mountains are a canvas for Hollywood filmmakers, names like South Pacific, Pirates of the Caribbean, Blue Hawaii, and Jurassic Park, just to mention a few.

The islands of Hawaii were all independent until in 1795, Kamehameha I conquered and unified the entire islands.

Captain James Cook, an English surveyor had led many expeditions to the South Pacific. Having been to Australia, New Zealand and Tahiti, he arrived on the island of O’ahu in Hawaii in January 1778, with two ships, the H.M.S. Resolution and Discovery. He was the first European to have been there. The islanders were fascinated by the iron ships and treated these visitors as some Gods that had arrived among them. Celebrations went on for weeks. Trading was done, with iron and metals being introduced for use as tools, there were goats, pigs and different species of seeds swapped, the natives had plenty of fish and fruit. The Hawaiians would have new items for themselves and in time to come, to trade with future visitors. Captain Cook and his ships sailed away but a tremendous storm did severe damage to the mast of his ship and he had to return to the island. This was a reality shock for the natives, after all the sailors had been treated as Gods yet the elements were able to subdue these deities. As the ships sailed towards the islands trouble began between both parties almost immediately. Captain Cook was armed with a pistol and tried to calm the situation by firing a shot, unfortunately this only increased the tension. The natives overpowered the captain and some of the crew. Captain Cook was killed in 1779 along with a good number of his crew. The ships did make it back to England some months later. Studies have shown that the population of the entire islands would have been half a million people back then. The census of 2019 showed the number is approximately 1.4 million.

The Pioneer Company of American Protestant Missionaries arrived in 1820, the first of such orders to arrive. Examples of Christianity had found their way here since the arrival of various explorers namely James Cook, but now there was a community arriving and intending to stay.

Cattle had been introduced in 1793 by a Californian farmer, the slaughter of livestock was not approved of and so nothing was done with this herd. The Parker Ranch was started in 1809, this guy was a sailor from Massachusetts who, when he arrived, met and married a beautiful Hawaiian princess. They began domesticating cattle and wild horses, the dairy and beef farming became a thriving business, horses were used to cultivate the arable lands and crops were grown. Farm labourers came to Hawaii from Japan, China, and the Philippines. When the Gold Rush began in California in 1849 agricultural products from Hawaii were in high demand, some of the workforce also left in the hope of striking it rich. 

The coffee growing that began in 1813 led to the island of Kona becoming the finest coffee producer in the world. Farmers came to Hawaii and got involved in growing sugar cane, mango-trees, and most importantly of all, pineapples. This fruit was an astronomical success, machines to harvest the crops were purchased and in 1911, Hawaii was producing 80% of the world’s total consumption of pineapples. Due to the growth in production worldwide and competition costs with labour disputes and strikes over wages, the pineapple industry had come to an end by 2006 when the then owners ‘Del Monte’ closed their factories. Some pineapples are still grown locally for the home market. Rice, Macadamia nuts and other fruits are still produced.

The Robinson family purchased the island of Niihau, (no nothing to do with the family featured in the novel of 1812 by Johann Wyss: ‘The Swiss Family Robinson’, this family having been shipwrecked on an island of the coast of Australia had to adapt to island life), that island was New Guinea. The Forbidden Island is strictly private and off limits, it’s used for the preservation of traditional culture and language, the plantation of woodland and taking care of animals that may be in danger of extinction. Some invited guests, geologists and the US Navy Personnel have the right to dock and check on any unwelcome visitors that may have dropped in.

In 1959, Alaska became the 49 State of the USA. This territory had been purchased from Russia in 1867 marking the end of Russia’s efforts of expansion to the Pacific coast of North America. Some months later Hawaii became the 50 state of the US. Hence the term Hawaii 50. The US had annexed Hawaii in 1898 and it was adapted as a territory in 1900. 

The tourism industry is today the largest employer. Accounting for over 20% of the country’s workforce, the service sector, transportation within the country, not to mention airlines and airports staff. The support industries such as the agricultural sector, the construction sector to provide accommodation for visitors, the financial and insurance providers. In 2022 almost 10 million people visited the islands with a total spend of $20 Billion. 

In 2009, Barack Obama, who was born in Honolulu, became the 44th president of the USA. He has the distinction of being the first president of colour in the USA.