The role of the Hawaiian region in the US economy, politics

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 • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

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