The amazing beauty of Hawaii agrees with the beauty of its people , which contributes to the Aloha spirit that make the islands a unique place around the world. Hawaii is known for its diversity , a true melting pot of cultures near and far.

When we look at the diversity of Hawaii these days , we have an indication of the beginning, when the islands started by Polynesians inhabited thousands of years ago.

Christian missionaries from New England came to the islands in 1820 dramatically impacted the native population of Hawaii and brought with them diseases, and thus forming the population was Caucasian or " haole " (foreign ).

The cultural

Today , the island of Oahu , which boasts more residents and visitors to any of the other islands together, is affectionately nicknamed " The meeting place . " Samoans , Tongans , Hawaiians, Chinese , Japanese, Maori , Canadian , Tahitians , Vietnamese , Spanish , Scottish, Irish, Italian and other ethnic groups combine to give life to these wonderful islands. Whatever the island where you are, sure to find characters from different sources , local and tourists, full of wisdom and stories to tell.

The fascinating mix of cultures in Hawaii makes it not uncommon to hear many different languages in the streets, including Samoan, Portuguese, Japanese , Hawaiian , Chinese and pidgin ( a local dialect that combines a mixture of Hawaiian language and English).

Tourism and the Army in Hawaii

The last years of the nineteenth century marked the beginning of the lucrative tourism in the islands, an industry that grew strongly when Hawaii became a state in 1959. The year 2000 broke all previous records with 6.9 million tourists this year in its 16 635 km2 ( 6423 miles square ). Despite the devastating consequences for tourism that left behind the attack of 11 September, the economy could return to his cause when the industry recovered in 2004.

As a gateway to the Pacific , Hawaii is home to several military installations, all based on Oahu , creating a high number of military personnel in the islands: The Marine Corps Base (MCB ) Hawaii, Armed Forces , Barracks Schofield and Fort Shafter, MCBH Kaneohe Bay , Air Force Base and Naval Station Pearl Harbor.

The population is steadily growing

A census of the United States in 2003 measured Hawaii ranked tenth in regard to population growth, a characteristic attributed largely to the constant migration to the islands , a stable economy and low unemployment .

Hawaii 's current population of over 1.3 million is due to military presence and tourism, with about 72 % of its residents living in metropolitan areas like Honolulu. People can enjoy cultural and sporting events , such as Aloha Festivals State , from August to October, the Monarch Hula Festival , which takes place in Hilo during the month of February, the Honolulu Marathon , during December, or the Triple Crown of Surfing, which attracts thousands of stakeholders from different parts of the world to the North Shore of Oahu every November and December.

Millions travel to the beautiful shores of Hawaii each year to take advantage of the cultural exhibition of the islands as well as its dramatic scenery . Hawaii is the ideal place to enjoy the best of many worlds - from its magnificent cities and good nightlife to quiet walks on the beach - Hawaii has it all. During his trips to the islands , visit the Polynesian Cultural Center on Oahu 's north coast , explore the art manual developed in the Buddhist Temple , or simply marvel at the wonderful Pacific Rim cuisine to savor the rich cultural diversity found only in Hawaii.