The Hawaiian archipelago stretches more than 1,500 miles and includes over 130 islands (although only 7 are populated). Land area is 6,450 sq. miles and population about 1.2 million. The islands are volcanic, all at different stages of “growth”. It is the 50th State of the USA (and we were told locals get offended when people refer to the mainland as “back to the States”).
Hawaii has 2 official languages – English and Hawaiian. The Hawaiian language has only 13 letters (the 5 vowels plus h,k,l,m,n.p,w ‘). It seems a lot of the roads seem to start with K which is confusing finding your way round!! We also learnt that the “w” in “Hawaii” is pronounces as a “v”.
Captain Cook landed at Kauai in 1778, but was finally killed in Kealakakua Bay, Hawaii, in a battle against Chief Kalaniopu’u’s people on Valentines Day 1779.
