Chapter 18:Hawaii

Beautiful Hawaii... I haven't been lucky enough to go there yet but I have heard great things. Hawaii is near the middle of the Pacific Ocean.Until the last two centuries, Hawaii has been able to keep isolated. However now, these islands have become an important focus of shipping, whaling, and political maneuvering.

 Hawaii's oceanic location greatly affects the climate.  It surprised me to hear that Honolulu's record high was 88*F. I'm used to Arizona heat at 120*, 88* is nothing. Their high temperatures occur in September and October. There is little seasonal change in temperature because it has a tropical location. The islands' topography creates an extreme variations in precipitation from one location to another.

Sugar and pineapple fueled the Hawaii's economy for decades after the 1860s. The relative importance of agriculture has declined greatly. Even though they provide a substantial share of the world's sugar harvest.

Today, over 7.4 million people visit Hawaii each year. Tourism produces over $1 billion per year for the Hawaiian economy and employs more than 171,000 people. It also brings upon a negative aspect of it. The more tourists you have the more hotels being built along the beautiful island.