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Hawaii, «huh WY ee or huh WAH ee,» is the only state in the United States that does not lie on the mainland of North America. It is made up of islands near the middle of the North Pacific Ocean. Honolulu, the capital and largest city, is about 2,400 miles (3,860 kilometers) southwest of the U.S. mainland. Hawaii is also the southernmost state. Oahu, the island on which Honolulu is located, is as far south as central Mexico. Hawaii, the youngest state, joined the Union on Aug. 21, 1959.
Hawaii is world famous for its beauty and pleasant climate. It has deep-blue seas, brilliantly colored flowers, graceful palm trees, and magnificent waterfalls. These attractions provide some of the most thrilling scenery in the United States. Cool Pacific winds keep Hawaii pleasantly mild all year around.
Hawaii has many colorful ways of life. Some of these customs come from Pacific Islanders called Polynesians, who were the original settlers of Hawaii. Many of the people of Hawaii are of Polynesian descent. The people's great friendliness toward tourists gives Hawaii its nickname of the Aloha State. Aloha means love in the Hawaiian language.
When vacationers arrive in Hawaii, they often receive leis (wreaths of flowers strung together). The visitors enjoy feasts, folk dancing, parades, and many special events. The hula has become a symbol of Hawaii. Hula dancers sway their hips and move their arms and hands to the music of Hawaiian guitars and other instruments.
The state has many nationality and ethnic groups. In addition to the people of Polynesian descent and whites and blacks from the mainland, Hawaii's population includes many citizens of Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, and Southeast Asian ancestry. All these people have contributed customs to a colorful life.
Hawaii consists of a chain of 132 islands. The chain extends for 1,523 miles (2,451 kilometers). The eight main islands are at the southeastern end of the chain. Almost all the people of Hawaii live on seven of these eight islands. About 75 of every 100 people live on Oahu.
The state's location in the Pacific Ocean gives it a major role in U.S. military planning. The U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps units in the Pacific area are under a single command located in Hawaii. The salaries of military personnel and civilian employees at these bases provide an important source of income in Hawaii. Food processing is Hawaii's leading manufacturing activity. Hawaii is one of the world's leading producers of pineapples.
Most of the world did not know of the islands until 1778. Captain James Cook of the British Navy reached them that year. Local chiefs ruled the islands until about 1800, when the area was united under a Hawaiian king. The islands became a republic in 1894. Hawaii became a U.S. possession in 1898, and a U.S. territory in 1900. It is the only state that was once an independent monarchy. Hawaii was the first part of U.S. territory to be attacked in World War II. On Dec. 7, 1941, planes of the Japanese navy bombed the naval base at Pearl Harbor and other military installations.
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