Hawaii (island) 70962 224605671 2008-07-09T16:57:48Z HkCaGu 4301051 [[WP:UNDO|Undid]] revision 224600574 by [[Special:Contributions/Westermarck|Westermarck]] ([[User talk:Westermarck|talk]]) {{Infobox Hawaiian island | name = Hawai{{okina}}i | nickname = The Big Island | image name = Island of Hawai'i - Landsat mosaic.jpg | image caption = Landsat mosaic, 1999-2001 | locator map = Map of Hawaii highlighting Hawaii (island).svg | locator caption = Location in the [[Hawaii|state of Hawaii]] | location = {{coor dm|19|34|N|155|30|W|type:isle}} | area = 4,028.0 sq mi (10,432.5 km²) | highest mount = [[Mauna Kea]] | elevation = 13,796 ft (4,205 m)<ref name="ElevationRef">{{cite web | url=http://www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/economic/databook/db2004/section05.pdf | title=Table 5.11 - Elevations of Major Summits |work=[http://www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/economic/databook/db2004/ 2004 State of Hawaii Data Book] |publisher=State of Hawaii | year=2004 | accessdate=2007-07-23}}</ref> | population = 148,677 | population as of = 2000 | density = 37/sq mi (14/km²) | flower = [[Metrosideros polymorpha|Lehua blossom]] | color = Ula Ula (Red) | rank = 1st, largest [[Hawaiian Islands|Hawaiian Island]] }} The '''Island of Hawai{{okina}}i''' (called the '''Big Island''' or '''Hawai{{okina}}i Island''') is a [[volcano|volcanic]] [[island]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Hawaii|Hawai{{okina}}i]] in the [[North Pacific Ocean|Pacific Ocean]]. With an area of 4,028 [[square mile]]s (10,432 [[Square kilometre|km²]]), it is the [[List of islands of the United States by area|largest island in the United States]] and larger than all of the other Hawaiian Islands combined. Hawai{{okina}}i is said to have been named for [[Hawaiiloa|Hawai{{okina}}iloa]], the legendary Polynesian navigator who first discovered it. However, other accounts attribute the name to the legendary land or realm of ''[[Hawaiki]]'', a place from which the Polynesians originated (see also [[Manua]]), the place where they go in the afterlife, the realm of the gods. The Island of Hawai{{okina}}i is administered under the [[Hawaii County, Hawaii|County of Hawai{{okina}}i]]. The county seat is [[Hilo]]. It is estimated that as of the year 2003, the island had a resident population of 158,400. ==History== Hawai{{okina}}i was the home island of [[Kamehameha the Great]], who by [[1795]] had united most of the Hawaiian Islands under his rule after several years of warfare and conquest. He gave his kingdom the name of his native island, which all the islands are now known as, Hawai{{okina}}i. Captain [[James Cook]], who made the Western world aware of these "[[Hawaiian Islands|Sandwich isles]]", was killed on Hawai{{okina}}i in [[Kealakekua Bay]]. ==Geology and geography== The Island of Hawai{{okina}}i is built from five separate [[volcano|shield volcanoes]] that erupted somewhat sequentially, one overlapping the other. These are (from oldest to youngest): *[[Kohala (mountain)|Kohala]] (dormant), *[[Mauna Kea]] (dormant), *[[Hualalai|Hualālai]] (dormant), *[[Mauna Loa]] (active, partly within [[Hawaii Volcanoes National Park|Hawai{{okina}}i Volcanoes National Park]]), and *[[Kilauea|Kīlauea]] (very active; part of Hawai{{okina}}i Volcanoes National Park). Interpretation of geological evidence from exposures of old surfaces on the south and west flanks of Mauna Loa led to the proposal that two ancient volcanic shields (named Ninole and Kulani) were all but buried by the younger Mauna Loa.<ref>MacDonald and Abbott, 1970</ref> Geologists now consider these "outcrops" to be part of the earlier building of Mauna Loa. [[Image:Pasture Hawaii.jpg|thumb|left|220px|View north from upslope Kohala showing Haleakalā, Maui in the distance]] In greatest dimension, the island is 93 miles (150 km) across and has a land area of 4,028.0 square miles (10,432.5 km²),<ref name="SizeRef">{{cite web | url=http://www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/economic/databook/db2004/section05.pdf | title=Table 5.08 - Land Area of Islands: 2000 |work=[http://www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/economic/databook/db2004/ 2004 State of Hawaii Data Book] |publisher=State of Hawaii | year=2004 | accessdate=2007-07-23}}</ref> representing 62% of the total land area of the [[Hawaiian Islands]]. Measured from its base at the sea floor, to its highest peak, [[Mauna Kea]] is the tallest mountain in the world, even taller than [[Mount Everest]], according to the [[Guinness Book of Records]]. Traditionally, Hawai{{okina}}i is known as the '''Big Island''' because it is the largest of the Hawaiian Islands and some confusion between Hawai{{okina}}i Island and Hawai{{okina}}i State can be avoided. Because Mauna Loa and Kīlauea are active volcanoes, the island of Hawai{{okina}}i is still growing. Between January 1983 and September 2002, {{convert|543|acre|ha|lk=on}} of land were added to the island by [[lava]] flows from Kīlauea volcano extending the coastline seaward. Several towns have been destroyed by Kīlauea lava flows in modern times: Kapoho (1960), [[Kalapana, Hawaii|Kalapana]] (1990), and [[Kaimu|Kaimū]] (1990). [[Image:Three Waikupanaha and one Ki lava ocean entries w-edit2.jpg|thumb|220px|Steam plume as Kīlauea red lava enters the ocean at three Waikupanaha and one Ki lava ocean entries. Some surface lava is seen too. The image was taken 04/16/08.]] Hawai{{okina}}i is the southernmost island in the Hawaiian archipelago, and contains the [[Extreme points of the United States|southernmost point]] in the United States, ([[Ka Lae]]). The nearest landfall to the south would be in the [[Line Islands]]. To the north is the island of [[Maui]], where East Maui Volcano ([[Haleakala|Haleakalā]]) is visible across the [[Hawaiian islands channels|Alenuihāhā Channel]]. 18 miles (29 kilometers) off Hawai{{okina}}i Island's southeast coast is the undersea volcano known as [[Loihi Seamount|Lō{{okina}}ihi]]. Lō{{okina}}ihi is an actively erupting seamount that lies 3,200 feet (975 m) below the surface of the ocean. It is thought that continued volcanic activity from Lō{{okina}}ihi will cause the volcano to eventually breach sea level and later attach at the surface onto Kīlauea, adding even more land to Hawai{{okina}}i's surface area. This "event" is presently predicted for a date several tens of thousands of years in the future. <!-- Image with unknown copyright status removed: [[Image:Greatcrack1999.jpg|left|thumb|The Great Crack courtesy NASA's Virtually Hawai{{okina}}i Project]] --> [[Hilina Slump]] or the Great Crack is an {{convert|8|mi|km|0|sing=on}} long, {{convert|60|ft|m|0}} wide and {{convert|60|ft|m|0}} deep crack in the island, situated in the district of Ka{{okina}}ū. The Great Crack is one of many series of cracks and rifts that were formed by eruptions and, in fact, is an extension of the southwest rift zone. Often these rifts are the sites of volcanic eruptions and occasionally a [[rift]] can be so deep and so fractured that it can cause a chunk of the island to fall into the ocean. [[Image:IMG 7404.JPG|thumb|left|220px|Black Sand Beach Park]] Some believe that the Great Crack is a result of the south flank of the Big Island moving away from the rest of the island. Speculation abounds that some day, perhaps soon, a major chunk of the island will break away and fall into the ocean, resulting in turn in a huge [[tsunami]] and [[earthquake]]. This actually does happen every ten thousand years or so, so it is not outside the realm of possibility. Others believe the Great Crack is not a [[Geologic fault|fault]] that will break the island apart, but instead was created (probably thousands of years ago) as a result of the crust moving apart slightly due to [[magma]] forcing itself into the [[rift]] zones. The Great Crack has been measured and is tracked and there is no indication that it is enlarging in any way or that the island is shifting near this point. Furthermore, the walls of the crack have been shown to fit together perfectly, thus proving that the crack was a widening of once joined ground. One can find trails, rock walls, and archaeological sites from as old as the [[12th century]] around the Great Crack. Much of these finds are on the park side of the fence. About {{convert|1951|acre|ha|0}} of private land beyond the fence were purchased during the [[Presidency of Bill Clinton|Bill Clinton administration]] specifically to protect the various artifacts in this area as well as to protect the habitat of the turtles. However, near the end of the crack is an area of land between the fence, the crack and the ocean which is not part of the park land and does have many archaeological artifacts on it. In [[1823]] a very fluid flow of [[lava]] came out of a {{convert|6|mi|km|0|sing=on}} portion of the crack and made its way to the ocean. [[Image:Lava enering ocean5n.jpg|thumb|right|220px|Lava enters the Pacific at [[Hawaii Volcanoes National Park]] in April of 2005, increasing the size of the island.]] On [[April 2]], [[1868]], an earthquake in this area with a magnitude estimated between 7.25 and 7.75 on the Richter scale rocked the southeast coast of Hawai{{okina}}i. It triggered a landslide on the slopes of Mauna Loa, five miles (8 km) north of Pahala, killing 31 people. A tsunami claimed 46 additional lives. The villages of [[Punaluu|Punalu{{okina}}u]], Nīnole, Kawa{{okina}}a, Honu{{okina}}apo, and Keauhou Landing were severely damaged. According to one account, the tsunami "rolled in over the tops of the coconut trees, probably {{convert|60|ft|m|0}} high ... inland a distance of a quarter of a mile in some places, taking out to sea when it returned, houses, men, women, and almost everything movable." This was reported in the 1988 edition of Walter C. Dudley's book, "Tsunami!" (ISBN 0-8248-1125-9). On [[November 29]], [[1975]], a {{convert|37|mi|km|0|sing=on}} wide section of the Hilina Slump plunged 11 feet (3 m) into the ocean, widening the crack by {{convert|26|ft|m|0}}. This movement caused a 7.2 magnitude earthquake and a {{convert|48|ft|m|-1}} high tsunami. Oceanfront properties were washed off their foundations in Punalu{{okina}}u. Two deaths were reported at Halapē, and 19 other persons were injured. The northeast coast of the Big Island has also suffered tsunami damage from earthquakes that triggered waves from Chile and Alaska. Downtown [[Hilo]] was severely damaged in 1946 and 1960, with many lives lost. [[Laupahoehoe|Laupāhoehoe]] alone lost 16 school children and 5 teachers in the 1946 tsunami. == Demographics == As of [[2000]], there were 148,677 people, 52,985 households, and 36,877 families residing in the county. The [[population density]] was 14/km² (37/mi²). There were 62,674 housing units at an average density of 6/km² (16/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 31.55% White, 0.47% [[African American]], 0.45% [[Native Hawaiians|Native American]], 26.70% [[Asia]]n, 11.25% Pacific Islander, 1.14% from other races, and 28.44% from two or more races. 9.49% of the population were [[Hispanics in the United States|Hispanic]] or [[Latino]] of any race. There were 52,985 households out of which 32.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.60% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 13.20% had a woman whose husband did not live with her, and 30.40% were non-families. 23.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.24. In the county the population was spread out with 26.10% under the age of 18, 8.20% from 18 to 24, 26.20% from 25 to 44, 26.00% from 45 to 64, and 13.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 100 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98 males. ==Economy== [[Sugarcane]] was the backbone of Hawai{{okina}}i Island's [[Economic system|economy]] for more than a century. In the mid-twentieth century, sugar plantations began to downsize and by [[1996]], the last sugar cane plantation had closed down. Today, most of Hawai{{okina}}i Island's economy is based on [[tourism]], centered primarily on the leeward (''kona'') or western coast of the island in the North Kona and South Kohala districts. However, diversified [[agriculture]] is a growing sector of the economy of the island. [[Macadamia nuts]], [[papaya]], [[flowers]], [[tropical]] and [[temperate]] [[vegetables]], and [[coffee]] are all important crops. In fact, because of Hawai{{okina}}i Island's reputation for growing beautiful [[orchids]], the island has the nickname "The Orchid Isle." [[Cattle]] ranching is also important. The Big Island is home to one of the largest cattle ranches in the United States, [[Parker Ranch]], which is situated on {{convert|175000|acre|km2|0}} in and around [[Kamuela]]. Astronomy is another industry, with numerous telescopes situated on [[Mauna Kea]] owing to the excellent clarity of the atmosphere at its summit and the lack of light pollution. == Tourist information == [[Image:Hawaiian lava flow.jpg|left|220px|thumb|The big Island [[lava]] flow from the air]] The Big Island is famous for its [[volcano]]es. [[Kilauea|Kīlauea]], the most active, has been erupting almost continuously for more than two decades. At the coast where the [[lava]] meets the ocean, one can sometimes see billows of white steam rising from off the shoreline. At night, the lava lights up the steam to give an orange glow. When the molten lava makes contact with the ocean, the sea water turns into steam, and the sudden cooling of the lava causes the newly formed lava rocks to explode and crack into small pieces. The broken up lava is further ground into black sands along the shore by the ocean waves. [[Black sand]] beaches are common on the Big Island. ==Places of interest== [[Image:Lehua blossoms hawaii 01.jpg|thumb|220px|right|Lehua blossoms ({{Okina}}ōhi{{Okina}}a lehua), Hawai{{Okina}}i]] * [[Akaka Falls State Park|Akaka Falls]]; the second tallest waterfall on the island. * [[Amy B. H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden]] houses many endangered [[Hawaiian]] plants. * [[East Hawaii Cultural Center|East Hawai{{okina}}i Cultural Center]] * [[Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden|Hawai{{okina}}i Tropical Botanical Garden]] * [[Hawaii Volcanoes National Park|Hawai{{okina}}i Volcanoes National Park]]; comprising the active volcanoes Kīlauea and Mauna Loa * [[Hulihee Palace|Hulihe{{okina}}e Palace]]; a [[Kingdom of Hawaii|royal palace]] in Kailua-Kona * [[Ka Lae]], the southernmost point in the United States * [[Manuka State Wayside Park]] * [[Mauna Kea Observatory]]; Mauna Kea Observatories * [[Nani Mau Gardens]] * Onizuka Space Center; museum dedicated to the memory of [[Space Shuttle Challenger|Challenger]] astronaut [[Ellison Onizuka]] * [[Pacific Tsunami Museum]] overlooking Hilo Bay * [[Pua Mau Place Arboretum and Botanical Garden]] * [[Puuhonua o Honaunau|Pu{{okina}}uhonua O Hōnaunau]] [[National Park|National Historical Park]] * Rainbow Falls State Park * [[Sadie Seymour Botanical Gardens]] * [[University of Hawaii at Hilo Botanical Gardens|University of Hawai{{okina}}i at Hilo Botanical Gardens]] * [[World Botanical Gardens]] * [[Waipio Valley|Waipi'o Valley]] == Cities and towns == [[Image:Hawaii Map.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Map of Hawaii with cities]] {| width="90%" valign="top" | |- | width="30%" align="left" valign="top" | *[[Captain Cook, Hawaii|Captain Cook]] *[[Halaula, Hawaii|Hala{{okina}}ula]] *[[Hawaiian Ocean View, Hawaii|Hawaiian Ocean View]] *[[Hawi, Hawaii|Hawi]] *[[Hilo, Hawaii|Hilo]] **Keaukaha **Waiākea **Wainaku **Pana{{okina}}ewa *[[Holualoa, Hawaii|Hōlualoa]] *[[Honalo, Hawaii|Honalo]] *[[Honaunau-Napoopoo, Hawaii|Hōnaunau-Nāpo{{okina}}opo{{okina}}o]] *[[Honokaa, Hawaii|Honoka{{okina}}a]] *[[Honomu, Hawaii|Honomū]] *[[Kahaluu-Keauhou, Hawaii|Kahalu{{okina}}u-Keauhou]] *[[Kailua-Kona, Hawaii|Kailua-Kona]] (Kona) | width="30%" align="left" valign="top" | *[[Kalaoa, Hawaii|Kalaoa]] *[[Kalapana, Hawaii|Kalapana]] *[[Kapaau, Hawaii|Kapaau]] *[[Keaau, Hawaii|Kea{{okina}}au]] **[[Ainaloa, Hawaii|Ainaloa]] **[[Hawaiian Paradise Park, Hawaii|Hawaiian Paradise Park]] **[[Orchidlands Estates, Hawaii|Orchidlands Estates]] *[[Kealakekua, Hawaii|Kealakekua]] *[[Kukuihaele, Hawaii|Kukuihaele]] *[[Kurtistown, Hawaii|Kurtistown]] |} == Colleges and universities == *[[University of Hawaii at Hilo|University of Hawai{{okina}}i at Hilo]] *[[University of the Nations]] *[[Hawaii Community College|Hawai{{okina}}i Community College]] ==Transportation== Two airports serve Hawaii Island: * [[Hilo International Airport]] * [[Kona International Airport]] ==References== {{refimprove|date=February 2008}} ==Further reading== {{sisterlinks|Hawaii}} *MacDonald, G. A., and A. T. Abbott. 1970. ''Volcanoes in the Sea''. Univ. of Hawai{{okina}}i Press, Honolulu. 441 pages. ==External links== <!--'''Note:''' Only news or resource guides! --> * The [http://www.westhawaiitoday.com/ West Hawaii Today] * [http://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/ Hawaii Tribune-Herald] - East Hawai‘i Newspaper * [http://www.hawaiiweathertoday.com/ Hawaii Weather Today] - Glenn's daily Weather Narrative * [http://www.pdc.org/ Pacific Disaster Center] - The Source for Daily Pacific Disaster News {{Hawaii}} {{coor title dm|19|34|N|155|30|W|type:isle}} ==References== {{reflist}} [[Category:Hawaii (island)|Hawaii]] [[af:Hawaiï (eiland)]] [[bg:Хаваи (остров)]] [[ca:Illa de Hawaii]] [[cs:Havaj (ostrov)]] [[da:Hawaii (ø)]] [[de:Hawaiʻi (Insel)]] [[et:Hawaii saar]] [[es:Isla de Hawái]] [[eo:Hawaii (insulo)]] [[fr:Hawaii (île)]] [[gl:Illa de Hawaii]] [[ko:하와이 섬]] [[haw:Hawai‘i (mokupuni)]] [[it:Isola di Hawaii]] [[lv:Havaja]] [[lt:Havajai (sala)]] [[nl:Hawaï (eiland)]] [[ja:ハワイ島]] [[pl:Hawaii (wyspa)]] [[pt:Ilha Havai]] [[ro:Hawaii (insulă)]] [[ru:Гавайи (остров)]] [[simple:Hawaii (island)]] [[fi:Havaiji (saari)]] [[sv:Hawaii (ö)]] [[uk:Гаваї (острів)]] [[zh:夏威夷島]]