Geography
The State of Hawaii is comprised of a string of 137 islands in the north central Pacific Ocean. The islands are located approximately 2,400 miles from the west coast of the continental United States. The State of Hawaii has eight major islands: Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe, Maui and Hawaii.

Capital
Honolulu

Governor
Ms. Linda Lingle (Jan. 2003- )

Landspace and Population
The land area of Hawaii is 16634.5 km? Total resident population for the State of Hawaii was 1,211,537 for the year 2000. Ethnic breakdown for the year 2000 measured: Hawaiian/part Hawaiian 22.1%, Caucasian 20.5%, Japanese 18.3%, Filipino12.3% and Chinese 4.1%.

History and Culture
Discovered by Polynesian settlers between the 3rd and 7th centuries A.D. and later by British Captain James Cook in 1778. Hawaii became the 50th state on August 21, 1959. Hawaii is a place characterized by ethnic diversity and a merger of East and West culture. English is the dominant language in Hawaii, but it is infused with Hawaiian words, phrases and pidgin slang. Religions practiced include predominantly Catholic, but also Buddhist, Hindu, Taoist, Jewish and Muslim. The ethnically diverse food includes Japanese, Chinese, Korean, native Hawaiian, Thai and Vietnamese food.

Economy and Industry
Gross State Product (2000): $ 39.1 billion. Major export industries are Visitor expenditures (2000), $10.9 billion; Federal defense spending (2000), $4.4 billion; Sugar and pineapple (2000), $276.2 million.
The State of Hawai'i is committed to diversifying the economy. Industries encouraged are science and technology, film and television production, sports, ocean research and development, health and education tourism, diversified agriculture and floral and specialty food products.

Editor: Wing