| The one hundred and thirty seven islands, islets and | | | | inhabitants sailed in voyaging canoes from the |
| shoals that make up the Hawaiian Island chain sit at | | | | southern hemisphere islands of the Marquesas, |
| the northern tip of the Polynesian Triangle, an expanse | | | | between 300 and 800 A.D. Later waves of settlers |
| of ocean roughly the size of Europe and North | | | | arrived by the 12th century, this time from Tahiti. |
| America combined. As one of the most geographically | | | | All Hawaiian Islands have a dry side and a wet side. |
| isolated, continuously populated spots on Earth, Hawaii | | | | The windward east side of each island attracts more |
| is a land of many contrasts. | | | | annual rainfall. The leeward west side is always the |
| Hawaii, the largest of the Hawaiian Islands, is | | | | drier area of the island. |
| nicknamed The Big Island because it is twice the | | | | The Big Island has a wide variety of plant, marine and |
| combined size of the other islands. | | | | animal life. Many species are rare and endangered |
| Big Island has an area of more than four thousand | | | | including the giant Pacific Green Sea Turtle, the Nene |
| square miles with nearly three hundred miles of | | | | Goose and the Humpback Whale. Vegetation zones |
| coastline, ninety three miles long by seventy six miles | | | | include coastal, dry land forest, mixed open forest, rain |
| wide. Big Island is located in Polynesia near the centre | | | | forest and alpine. |
| of the Pacific Ocean just below the Tropic of Cancer | | | | The economy was healthy in 2006. Key indicators are |
| one of the most remote spots on Earth. | | | | positive for continuing growth in the second half of this |
| The population had a resident population of 162,971 in | | | | decade. However, Hawaiis cost of living is among the |
| 2004. It is the second most populous island in the State. | | | | highest in the nation and its 2004 per capita personal |
| Approximately 1.5 million visitors visited in 2005. | | | | income below average. In fact, sources indicate a cost |
| The first visitors to the Islands of Hawaii came not | | | | of living ranging from 30 percent above the national |
| knowing what to expect or even that the Islands | | | | average to over 60 percent depending upon family |
| existed. It is generally believed Hawaiis first permanent | | | | size and circumstances. |