Introduction- Task
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Following successful completion of this lesson, students will be able to:
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Introduction
Hawaii is the only state formed of islands. We have learned that Hawaii is actually a cluster of many islands, but among these there are eight main islands that we will study today.
Let's look at each individual island and see how they are unique.
O'ahu
| O'ahu is not the largest of the Hawaiian islands, but it is clearly the most populated. It is the island where Honolulu, the state capital, is located. This is the island where Pearl Harbor is located as well as the famous Wakiki Beach. The island is home to over 950,000 people and most live on the city side of the island. The island of O'ahu has a unique diamond or arrowhead shape to it's landscape. |  Image Courtesy of NASA. This image is in the public domain. |
Moloka'i
| Moloka'i is the second island we will explore. This island is home to only 8,000 people and it only has one main, two lane road that runs the length of the island. To get to Moloka'i, you will have to take a small plane from O'ahu, or a ferry ride from another island. Years ago, Moloka'i was the island where Hawaii secluded it's sickest members of the population. At one time it was home to a leper colony, where all residents suffered from leperosy, a skin disease that is painful, contagious, and exhibited through large sores on the skin. Father Damien de Veuster, a Belgian priest, lived here for years caring for the sick and needy. Today, the island no longer serves as a quarantine area for the sick, but is described as a beautiful, secluded, and private island and the residents wish to keep it that way. There is no building or resort on the island taller than a coconut tree, and the islanders have repeatedly blocked new development. | |
 Image Courtesy of NASA. This image is in the public domain. |
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Lana'i
| Lana'i is a beautiful island known for the lush, delicious pineapples that grow there. At one time, the owner of the Dole Fruit Company owned most of the farmable property on Lana'i where he managed one of the world's largest pineapple plantations. It is home to just over 3,000 people and is known for the beautiful and romantic beach and golf resorts located here. Even though Lana'i is a popular location for tourists, it remains secluded with no traffic lights and no shopping malls. There are paved roads leading to the hotels, but outside of the tourist section of the island, citizens must navigate dirt roads with 4 wheel drive vehicles. |  Image Courtesy of NASA. This image is in the public domain. |
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