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| An Introduction to The Hawaiian Islands |
The Hawaiian Islands are a natural wonder. It is their sheer diversity, which makes them so unique and which has fascinated so many visitors to their shores since they were first discovered and settled by the early Polynesians some 700 to 900 years ago.
The islands enjoy, year-round, the finest climate in the world, knowing no monsoon season. The prevailing northeast trade winds naturally air-condition the islands, bestowing upon them a freshness and purity enhanced by the fragrance of countless tropical blooms.
Each of these Pacific mountain-islands, the largest of which is 4,000 square miles, abounds with year-round flowering trees and shrubs; there are over 20,000 varieties of orchids and 2,200 plants unique to Hawaii.
The islands are the peaks of the worlds tallest mountains formed late in the earth's history and for millions of years left undisturbed, during which time nature shaped and formed them creating islands of outstanding natural beauty, full of contrast and variety.
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| ALOHA WELCOME TO HAWAII |
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| HISTORY |
The first non-Polynesian, to discover the islands was Captain James Cook, in 1779, who named them the Sandwich Islands after the First Lord of the Admiralty.
Many close links have existed between Hawaii and the United Kingdom. The beautiful but tragic Princess Victoria Kaiulani, the last heir-designate to the Hawaiian throne was educated at Harrowden Hall near London. Numerous members of the Hawaiian Royal Family visited England and were entertained at court.
The state flag of Hawaii includes the British Union Jack, at the instigation it is believed, of King Kamehameha the First. To this day, more Britons visit the Hawaiian Islands than any other European nation.
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