HAWAII

“The Aloha State” became the 50^th state in 1959, but the history of Hawaii goes back centuries earlier. Roughly 1,500 years ago, Polynesians from the Marquesas Islands first set foot on Hawaii's Big Island. With only the stars to guide them, they miraculously sailed over 2000 miles in canoes to migrate to the Islands.

The tropical paradise of Kauai basks amidst the sparkling blue waters of the Pacific Ocean, about 20 minutes by air from Honolulu. Formed some six million years ago, the island encompasses roughly 550 square miles and is the oldest and northern-most of the main Hawaiian Islands.

Below are some of my personal photos from trips to my hometown:

Spouting Horn, Poipu

This natural wonder occurs water rushes under a lava shelf and bursts through a small opening at the surface. Every wave produces another spray. Spouting Horn frequently spurts salt water 50 feet into the air. The phenomena is especially exciting at sunset when the spray becomes incandescent with the colors of the rainbow.

Dry Cave, Hanalei

Maniniholo Dry Cave (Maniniholo means "swimming Manini fish") is about 300 yards deep, and reaches to a small exit hole on the side of the mountain. The cave interior used to be larger than now, before a 1957 tsunami half-filled it with sand.

Wet Cave, Hanalei

Waikanaloa (water of Kanaloa, a god) Wet Cave is, as its name implies, underwater. It has been explored about 100 yards in by scuba divers.The two caves are located within approximately 100 yards of each other on the mauka (mountain) side of the highway after Haena and before Ke'e Beach. 

Poipu Beach

The most popular beach on the South Shore isPoipu Beach, which is fronted by Poipu Beach Park, and a few resorts. Poipu Beach was named America's Best Beach by The Travel Channel, ranking top among the 10 "best" beaches selected nationwide. This beach is a series of golden sand crescents, strung together where beach-goers will find snorkeling, swimming, a natural ocean wading pool, boogie-boarding and surfing.

Polihale

The last beach on the road, this is Kauai's westernmost point. It is an extension of Barking Sands Beach making it Hawaii's longest beach with 17 miles of sparking white sand! From the northern end of the beach, the beginning cliffs of the Na Pali can be seen.

Waimea Canyon

Waimea Canyon, on Kauai's West Side, is described as "The Grand Canyon of the Pacific." Although not as big or as old as its Arizona cousin, you won’t encounter anything like this geological wonder in Hawaii. Stretching 14 miles long, one mile wide and more than 3,600 feet deep, the Waimea Canyon Lookout provides panoramic views of crested buttes, rugged crags and deep valley gorges. The grand inland vistas go on for miles.




SOURCES:
http://www.gohawaii.com/statewide/travel-tips/history
http://www.hawaiiweb.com/kauai/html/sites/spouting_horn.html
http://www.kauai-vacations-ahh.com/articles/kauai-north-shore-adventures.htm
http://www.poipubeach.org/beaches.html
http://www.hawaiiweb.com/kauai/html/beaches/polihale_beach.html

THE NORTH PACIFIC COAST

Hawaii is known for tropical weather year round, contrast to the cold, wet North Pacific Coast. On average, the warmest month is August and the coolest is January. The most rain usually occurs in December. However, the amount of rain and frequency of rain on Kauai is often misunderstood. Much of Kauai's rainfall happens at night. The showers that do occur are usually short, many with colorful rainbows following. The mountainous, central part of the island receives much more rain than the coast. Mount Waialeale is the wettest spot on earth with an average of 444 inches of rain per year. The trade winds in Kauai are another factor providing great weather for visitors. The winds are generally light and help blow away much of the humidity and are, for the most part, kindly absent in the winter.

The island of Hawaii, or Big Island, however, has everything - sun and snow. When people think of snow skiing, Hawaii may not be the first destination that pops into their heads. But, if tropical snow skiing is your bag, then Hawaii is the right place.

People do snowboard and snow ski on Mauna Kea (Hawaiian for white mountain) on the Big Island of Hawaii. There are no ski lifts to take you up the mountain, which is over 13,500 feet high, so you must rent a 4WD vehicle or hire a guide. Skiers take turns being the driver up a road that also serves several observatories at the summit. 

Snow falls during winter months, though the ski season can run from November through July, and the snow can accumulate to a few meters depth. February and March are the best bets for good snow. This has been called the finest snow in the world, and there is a ski-able area of almost 100 square miles.

At the summit, you have an incomparable, unforgettable 360 degree view - Mauna Kea's moonscape terrain, the lush tropical vegetation below, and the surrounding ocean. As an extra, in the distance you see Maui's Haleakala crater.

Snow skiing in Hawaii is unlike skiing anywhere else in the world, plus, how many places do you know where you can go snowboarding in the morning and scuba diving in the afternoon?

SOURCES:

http://alohaisles.com/kauai/weather.html

http://www.bestplaceshawaii.com/tips/big_kahuna/ski.html

http://abigislandblog.blogspot.com/2008/06/skiing-on-mauna-kea.html

http://www.perfect-hawaiian-vacation.com/best-time.html

http://www.eeinhawaii.blogspot.com/

CALIFORNIA

Like California, Hawaii is rich with beautiful valleys and mountains. Kauaʻi's origins are volcanic, the island having been formed by the passage of the Pacific plate over the Hawaii hotspot. At approximately six million years old, it is the oldest of the main islands. The highest peak on this mountainous island is Kawaikini at 5,243 feet (1,598 m). The second highest peak is Mount Waiʻaleʻale near the center of the island, 5,148 feet (1,569 m) above sea level. One of the wettest spots on earth, with an annual average rainfall of 460 inches (1,200 cm), is located on the east side of Mount Waiʻaleʻale. The high annual rainfall has eroded deep valleys in the central mountains, carving out canyons with many scenic waterfalls. 

Mt. Kawaikini

Mt. Waialeale

Kalalau Valley

SOURCES:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kauai
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalalau_Valley
http://www.matpatterson.com/gallery3/index.php/mypictures/20071021-20071102-hawaii/20071022_mtkawaikini02

THE SOUTHWEST BORDER AREA: TRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT

According to the textbook, the Southwest is dominated by three coexisting cultures. 


Kauai has a very small but diverse population. Unlike most U.S. states, caucasians (or haole as their known in Hawaii) are a minority and account for only about thirty percent of Kauai’s population. Here is the ethnic make-up of Kauai’s over 58,000 people.

36%	- Asian
30%	- White
9%	- Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander
0.8%	- Other
0.4%	- American Indian
0.3%	- Black
24%	- Mixed or unknown

According to 2000 Census Bureau, there were 58463 people, 20183 households, and 14572 families living in the county. The population density was 93.9 people per square mile (36.25/km²), making it the third most densely populated county in Hawaii. There were 25331 housing units at an average density of 40.7 per square mile (15.71/km²). It has an average household size was 2.87 persons, and the average family size was 3.34 persons. The population's age distribution was 26.4% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 25.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% who were 65 or older. For every 100 females there were 100.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.5 males. The July 2008 population estimate is 63689, The racial makeup of the county was 36.66% White, 0.68% Black or African American, 0.53% American Indian, 31.78% Asian, 9.05% Native Hawaiian, and 21.3% from two or more races.

SOURCES:

http://www.kauaivacationsecrets.com/learn-about-kauai/

http://www.mapzones.org/Kauai_County_Hawaii.html

THE EMPTY INTERIOR

According to the textbook, the Empty Interior supports a diversified, growing and sometimes controversial wildlife population. That being said, I will focus on the wildlife of Kauai as it consist of several species, some living in abundance, and some are extinct.

Kilauea Point. November 2011

Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge first came into being in 1985 with the acquisition of the historic lighthouse.  Here, ocean cliffs and open grassy slopes of an extinct volcano provide breeding grounds for native Hawaiian seabirds and nene, the endangered Hawaiian goose.

At this location you can see the red-footed boobies, Laysan albatrosses, wedge-tailed shearwaters, and other seabirds in their natural habitat which has not been available to the main Hawaiian Islands previously.

The Marine Sanctuary waters that surround the refuge are home to the Hawaiian monk seals, green sea turtles and, during the winter, humpback whales.

Kauai is the home of a wide variety of endemic, indigenous, migratory, and introduced birds. Nearly all native forest and song birds can only be found above 3,000 feet elevation within predominately native forest habitats above the mosquito range where they are safe from insect borne diseases. These include: The Apapane, Iiwi, Amakihi, Anianiau, Elepaio, Akepa, Kauai Creeper, and the six critically endangered, Oo aa, Ou, Akialoa, Nukupuu, Kamao, and Puaiohi. The Pihea-Alakai Swamp Trail, Kokee Park trails and Awaawapuhi Trail are good places to view these birds. The endangered forest birds are close to extinction and not likely to be seen.

Four endemic or indigenous waterbirds are classed as endangered on Kauai: The Hawaiian Duck (Koloa), Hawaiian Moorhen, Hawaiian Coot, and Black-necked Stilt. These can be seen at the Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge, and several other wetland habitats around Kauai.

Hawaii's State bird, the endangered Nene (Hawaiian Goose), is now becoming well established on Kauai. It is seen regularly at the Westin Lagoons near Lihue, near Poipu, and at Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, which is also the best place to view seabirds such as Red-footed Boobies, Great Frigate birds, Red-tailed Tropic birds, and Laysan Albatross. Excellent bird guides with color photos are available at most bookstores for a reasonable price.

Kauai has only two native mammals: The Hawaiian Monk Seal, and the Hawaiian Bat. Both are classed as endangered. It is unlawful to harass, or to approach closer than 100 feet to monk seals. Feral pigs are found in most wildland parts of the Island, and are not dangerous unless cornered. Feral goats are found on the cliffs of Waimea Canyon and the Na Pali Coast, being descendants of those brought in by the first European Explorers. Black-tailed deer were introduced in 1961 for hunting and are found primarily on western Kauai. Feral dogs, cats, rats and mice are the only other mammals you may encounter in the wild. Mongooses are not found on Kauai as they are on most of the other main islands. Kauai has no poisonous snakes, and only one small introduced non-poisonous snake, that is often mistaken for an earthworm. Toads, bullfrogs, and the small wrinkled frogs are common in wetland streams and ponds.

A Hawaiian Monk Seal laying on the shore of Poipu Beach. November 2011

You will also find an abundance of wild roosters all over the island. November 2011

SOURCES:

http://www.hawaiibeautiful.com/kauai/kilauea-point-national-wildlife-refuge-kauai-hawaii.html

http://www.alternative-hawaii.com/activity/kecow.htm

THE GREAT PLAINS AND PRAIRIES

The east and north shore of Kauai has the best view of the island's plains. Taro fields consist most of these plains, and you will see it from the famous Hanalei look out or while cruising along Hanalei river. These flooded taro field, called kalo lo'i, are an ancient way of life in Hawaii.


Taro, the root vegetable used to make poi, is one of Kauai's first agricultural products and plantation fields around the island display a beautiful patchwork of colors. Taro holds a rich cultural and spiritual value in the Hawaiian Islands and in ancient times it was prohibited to argue when a bowl of poi was placed on the table. Taro can be planted at any time of the year in Kauai so harvests can be seen frequently on plantations near Hanalei.


Here are some of my personal photos of the taro fields from the Hanalei lookout during my visit this past Thanksgiving holiday:

SOURCES:
http://www.summitpacificinc.com/Kauai/hanalei-valley.html
http://www.hawaiiweb.com/kauai/sites_to_see/HanaleiTaroFields.htm

THE AGRICULTURAL CORE

As mentioned on the previous post (Manufacturing Core), Kauai's agriculture consist of taro, coffee, guava, corn and other tropical fruits and vegetables. Beef cattle are also raised and exported to the U.S. mainland while small hog and chicken operations remain for domestic consumption.The landscaping and nursery businesses are also important to Kauai’s agriculture economy.


Kauai has a program called Kauai Grown which provides marketing support and tools for farmers & ranchers, value added product producers who work with Kauai Grown ingredients, as well as the retailers who carry these products and the restaurants who serve them. The goal is to help identify Kauai Grown products and experiences to the consumer with a Kauai Grown directory and point of sale materials, all designed to capture what makes these products and experiences special – the people and fresh ingredients behind the products, and the diverse choices that are unique to Kauai.

The objectives of this program are to:

• Clearly identify Kauai grown agricultural products to the consumer - both fresh and value added
• Promote awareness of the consumer and community benefits of buying local farm products
• Deliver umbrella marketing tools to help local producers, retailers and restaurants market their Kauai Grown products
• Enhance relationships between farmers, retailers, restaurants and the consumer

Click this link to view the 2010 State Agricultural Overview of Hawaii:

http://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Ag_Overview/AgOverview_HI.pdf

SOURCES:

http://www.kauaichamber.org/kauai-industries.asp#agriculture

http://www.kauaigrown.org/

THE SOUTHERN COASTLANDS

Aside from being one of the many tourist spots in the United States and the world, Hawaii is also famous (unfortunately) for having hurricanes, like the Southern Coastlands.

A Hawaiian hurricane is a tropical cyclone that forms in the Pacific Ocean and affects the Hawaiian Islands. Hawaiʻi lies in the central Pacific, where about four or five tropical cyclones appear each year, although as many as eleven have occurred, such as in the 1992 and 1994 seasons; rarely do these storms actually affect Hawaiʻi. Before the 1950s, when tropical cyclone records were not kept, many windstorms struck Hawaiʻi; if these storms were in fact hurricanes, they were not so identified.


The most significant hurricane in the island of Kauai is Iniki. It was the most powerful hurricane to strike the U.S. state of Hawaiʻi in recorded history. Forming on September 5 during the strong El Niño of 1991–1994, Iniki was one of eleven Central Pacific tropical cyclones during the 1992 season. It attained tropical storm status on September 8 and further intensified into a hurricane the next day. After turning to the north, Iniki struck the island of Kauaʻi on September 11 at peak intensity; it had winds of 145 mph (235 km/h), and was a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. It was the first hurricane to hit the state since Hurricane Iwa in the 1982 season, and the first major hurricane since Hurricane Dot in 1959. Iniki dissipated on September 13 about halfway between Hawaii and Alaska.

Iniki caused around $1.8 billion (1992 USD) of damage and six deaths. At the time, Iniki was among the costliest United States hurricanes, and it remains one of the costliest hurricanes on record in the eastern Pacific. The storm struck just weeks after Hurricane Andrew—the costliest tropical cyclone ever at the time—struck the U.S. state of Florida. It was also one of two Category 4 hurricanes to strike the United States that year, as Andrew made landfall in Florida as a Category 5 just a few weeks earlier.

The Central Pacific Hurricane Center (CPHC) failed to issue tropical cyclone warnings and watches for the hurricane more than 24 hours in advance. Despite the lack of early warning, only six deaths were attributable to the storm. Damage was greatest on Kauaʻi, where the hurricane destroyed over 1,400 houses and severely damaged over 5,000. Though not directly in the path of the hurricane's core, Oʻahu still experienced moderate damage from wind and storm surge.

SOURCES:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Hawaii_hurricanes
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Iniki
http://www.pricip.org/ea-portal/web/guest/3?p_p_id=InikiImpactsTitle_WAR_pricip&p_p_action=0&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&p_p_col_id=column-1&p_p_col_count=4&_InikiImpactsTitle_WAR_pricip_photo=3
http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/150/sesq5iniki

THE CHANGING SOUTH

Founded in 1984, the Kauai Economic Development Board (KEDB) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, member-based organization. KEDB’s members include a variety of Kauai businesses, community organizations, legislators, and government officials. KEDB is improving the quality of life in the County of Kauai from Haena to Barking Sands and PMRF every day by:

• Developing Partnerships to diversify the economy
• Initiating Efforts To Educate Local Youth so they can succeed in the global marketplace
• Nurturing Key Economic Clusters including: Food & Agriculture, Health & Wellness, Sports & Recreation, Arts & Culture, High Technology and Renewable Energy.

In this way, KEDB comprehensively addresses the island’s economic issues from assisting businesses with creating new jobs on Kauai to facilitating Kauai job and career opportunities for local students, to promoting affordable housing, and more. KEDB is a proven leader in doing what needs to be done to advance a strong, sustainable economy on Kauai.

This is located outside the fire station in Poipu, taken sometime in 2010

Sources: http://www.kedb.com/

APPALACHIA AND THE OZARKS

Kauai is home to a total of 235 mountain summits and peaks.




KALALEA MOUNTAIN

Kalalea Mountain is often refered to as King Kong, because it resembles king kongs profile from the side. This mountain is located in Anahola, Kauai and is covered in vegetation and poor quality rock that breaks easily. But it was still a blast to climb in such a lush vegetated location.




NOUNOU MOUNTAIN (Sleeping Giant)

Stare at the ridge from afar and with a little imagination you can make out what looks like a human figure lying on his back. Hawaiian legends say this giant was tricked by villagers into eating a vast amount of rocks hidden in fish and poi. Sleepy from the meal, the giant took a nap and hasn’t woken since.

A view from Waimea mountain top, on the way to Kokee State park, taken from my vacation in April 2010

Sources:
http://www.mountainzone.com/mountains/list-mountains.asp?cid=45734
http://www.mountainproject.com/v/kalalea-mountain-kauai/106935411
http://www.gohawaii.com/kauai/regions-neighborhoods/east-side/sleeping-giant
http://www.hawaiiweb.com/kauai/html/sites/sleeping_giant.html