Welcome to Hawaii
"The Aloha State" For most Americans, Hawaii is synonymous with lush tropical greenery, exotic locales complete with active volcanoes, and the ultimate domestic vacation spot. Tourism is by far the largest economic engine in the Aloha State, accounting for almost a quarter of the Gross State Product. But sometimes Hawaiians have to get down to business that doesn't involve serving tourists from Ohio mai tais on the beach. Historically, agriculture has played an integral role in the state's economy: sugarcane, pineapple, and Macadamia nuts are all important cash crops. Often, those just visiting miss out an authentic Hawaiian cultural experience. Resort areas recreate historical Polynesian traditions in kitschy fashion for tourists, but the reality of life in this former kingdom is much more modern and diverse. A 2009 survey ranked the state capital of Honolulu as having the 29th highest quality of living worldwide. The politically progressive state-run health care system insures more than 95 percent of residents. And perhaps surprisingly, the largest percentage of the population is not of Polynesian descent but Japanese, at 16.7 percent. That's something King Kamehameha—not to mention those Ohio tourists—probably didn't anticipate. State Name: Hawaii State Nickname: "The Aloha State"  State Motto: Ua Mau ke Ea o ka ʻÂina i ka Pono ("The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness") Name for Residents: Hawaiian Abbreviation: HI Time Zone: Hawaii, GMT/UTC -10 (No Daylight Savings Time) Capital City: Honolulu Date of Statehood: August 21, 1959  Statehood Rank: 50th State Area: 10,931 square miles (28,311 km²) Area Rank: 42 of 50 Number of Counties: 5 State Population: 1,288,198 (2008 estimate) Largest Cities:    Honolulu - 377,357 (2006)     Hilo - 40,759 (2000)     Kailua - 9,870 (2000) Major Rivers:     Anahulu River - Length: 12 mi (20 km)     Kaukonahua River - Length: 33 miles (53 km)     Hanalei River - Length: 17 miles (27 km) Highest Point: Mauna Kea, 13,796 ft  (4,205 m) Lowest Point: Pacific Ocean (sea level) Bordering States and Countries:     None Record High Temperature:    100°F (38°C)     April 27, 1931 at Pahala Record Low Temperature:     12°F (-11°C)     May 17, 1979 at Mauna Kea
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	Author: World Trade Press