Hawai‘i
Map
Image source: http://hirono.house.gov/images/map.jpg
Data Links
Hawaii Ocean Observing System (www.soest.hawaii.edu/hioos)
Regional Representative
Chris Ostrander, PacIOOS Hawaii Representative
University of Hawaii – Manoa, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST)
1680 East-West Rd POST 105A
Honolulu, HI 96822
chriso@hawaii.edu
Chris Ostander joined PacIOOS in 2007 as the Coordinator for the sub-regional Hawaii Ocean Observing System (HiOOS). Chris has served previously as a military officer, managed private and non-profit enterprises in a variety of sectors, and been involved in marine biology and oceanographic research for nearly a decade. He completed his undergraduate work in political science at the Johns Hopkins University and his graduate work at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
The University of Hawaii – Manoa School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST) was established by the Board of Regents of the University of Hawai‘i in 1988 in recognition of the need to realign and further strengthen the excellent education and research resources available within the University. SOEST brings together four academic departments, three research institutes, several federal cooperative programs, and support facilities of the highest quality in the nation to meet challenges in the ocean, earth and planetary sciences and technologies. SOEST’s mission is to serve society by acquiring and disseminating new knowledge about the Ocean, Earth and Planets, and to enhance the quality of life in the State and the Nation by providing world-class education, contributing to a high-tech economy, and promoting sustainable use of the environment.
Statistics
Land area: 16,632 km2 (http://www.fedstats.gov/qf/states/15000.html)
EEZ area: 2 million km2
Political status: State of the United States
Population: 1.3 million (2006 estimate, http://www.fedstats.gov/qf/states/15000.html)
Ethnicity: 40% Asian, 28% Caucasian, 9% Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 8% Hispanic or Latino, 3% African American (http://www.fedstats.gov/qf/states/15000.html)
Income per capita: $34,489 (2005estimate, http://www.fedstats.gov/qf/states/15000.html)
Max Elevation above sea level: 4205 m (Encarta encyclopedia)
Island History
There is evidence of early Polynesian settlers present in the Hawaiian Islands by 300 – 500 A.D. The first recorded European contact occurred in 1778 when British explorer, James Cook, visited Hawaii. British influence can be seen in the Hawaii state flag, which includes the Union Jack. Queen Liliuokalani was the last ruler of the Hawaiian Monarchy before being overthrown by the U.S. government in 1893. From 1894 to 1898, Hawaii was formally the Republic of Hawaii. Subsequently, in 1898, Hawaii became a U.S. territory. On August 21, 1959, Hawaii became the 50th state in the U.S. Honolulu is the capital of Hawaii.
Geography
Hawaii is the southernmost state in the U.S. It is located nearly 3,900 km (2,400 mi) from the continental U.S. The main Hawaiian Islands consist of 8 volcanic islands, the Big Island of Hawaii, Maui, Kaho'olawe, Lana'i, Moloka'i, O'ahu, Kaua'i, and Ni'ihau, which are located between 19°N and 22°N. The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands extend northwest of the main islands to approximately 28°N. The highest point in the island chain, Mauna Kea, is on the Big Island of Hawaii and has an elevation of 4,205 m (13,796 ft). On June 15, 2006 the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands were proclaimed a Marine National Monument named Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. This monument protects roughly 360,000 km2 (140,000 mi2), an area larger than all of the National Parks in the U.S. combined.
Geologic Setting
The Main and Northwestern Hawaiian Islands are a part of the Hawaiian-Emperor Volcanic Chain which extends 5745 km (3570 mi). This volcanic chain includes volcanic islands, submerged volcanic islands (seamounts) and coral atoll islands. Each feature began as a volcanic ocean mountain as the Pacific tectonic plate moved over the Hawaiian magmatic hot spot, creating new volcanic crust. As a newly formed island moved away from the volcanic hot spot, volcanism would stop and the island would begin to subside (sink) eventually creating a seamount and/or a coral atoll. The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands are old volcanoes that are sinking and being eroded. These islands range in age from about 7 million years (Nihoa Island) to 28 million years old (Midway Atoll). The Main Hawaiian Islands range from nearly 5 million years old (Kauai) to 0.5 million years old (oldest portions of the Big Island of Hawaii). Parts of the Main Hawaiian Islands are still considered volcanically active. Many features visible on the islands today are a result of large scale subsidence, mass wasting events (landslides and geologic structural failure) and erosion.
Sources:
PacIOOS regional representatives (personal communication)
FedStats (http://www.fedstats.gov/qf/states/15000.html)
Encarta encyclopedia (http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761576663/Hawaii_(state).html)
Chuck Blay and Robert Siemers (2004) Kauai’s Geologic History: A Simplified Guide. TEOK Investigations, USA.