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'{{Short description|Archipelago in the Pacific Ocean}} {{Redirect|Sandwich Islands|other uses|Sandwich Islands (disambiguation)|the list of individual islands belonging to the state of Hawaii|List of islands of Hawaii}} {{use American English|date=July 2021}} {{use mdy dates|date=July 2021}} {{more citations needed|date=January 2021}}<!--lots of paragraphs without citations--> {{Infobox islands |name = Hawaiian Islands |native_name = {{native name|haw|Mokupuni o Hawai‘i|paren=omit}} |native_name_link = Hawaiian language |native_name_lang = haw |image = Hawaje-NoRedLine.jpg |image_size = 260px |image_caption = The [[#Major islands|Windward Islands]] of Hawaii |map_image = Hawaiianislandchain USGS.png |coordinates = {{Coord|20|54|00|N|156|36|00|W|display=inline,title}} |location = [[Pacific Ocean|North Pacific Ocean]] |total_islands = 137 |highest_mount = {{ubl|[[Mauna Kea]]|{{convert|13796|ft|m|0|abbr=on}}}} |country = United States |country_admin_divisions_title = State |country_admin_divisions = [[Hawaii]] |country_largest_city = [[Honolulu]] |country_admin_divisions_title_1=Unincorporated territory|country_admin_divisions_1=[[Midway Atoll]]}} The '''[https://attrob.com/top-3-most-beautiful-beach-islands-to-visit-in-hawaii/ Hawaiian Islands]''' ({{lang-haw|Mokupuni o Hawai‘i}}) are an [[archipelago]] of eight major [[island]]s, several [[atoll]]s, and numerous smaller [[islet]]s in the [[Pacific Ocean|North Pacific Ocean]], extending some {{convert|1500|mi|km|abbr=off|sp=us}} from the [[Hawaii (island)|island of Hawai{{okina}}i]] in the south to northernmost [[Kure Atoll|Ocean Island]]. Formerly the group was known to Europeans and Americans as the '''Sandwich Islands''', a name that [[James Cook]] chose in honor of the [[John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich|4th Earl of Sandwich]], the then [[First Lord of the Admiralty]]. Cook came across the islands by chance when crossing the Pacific Ocean on his [[Third voyage of James Cook|Third Voyage]], on board [[HMS Resolution (1771)|HMS ''Resolution'']]; he was later killed on the islands on a return visit. The contemporary name of the islands, dating from the 1840s, is derived from the name of the largest island, [[Hawaii (island)|Hawai{{okina}}i Island]]. Hawaii sits on the [[Pacific Plate]] and is the only [[U.S. state]] that is not geographically connected to North America. It is part of the [[Polynesia]] subregion of [[Oceania]]. The state of [[Hawaii]] occupies the archipelago almost in its entirety (including the mostly uninhabited [[Northwestern Hawaiian Islands]]), with the sole exception of [[Midway Atoll|Midway Island]], which also belongs to the United States, albeit as one of its [[Unincorporated territories of the United States|unincorporated territories]] within the [[United States Minor Outlying Islands]]. The Hawaiian Islands are the exposed peaks of a great undersea mountain range known as the [[Hawaiian–Emperor seamount chain]], formed by [[volcano|volcanic activity]] over a [[Hotspot (geology)|hotspot]] in the [[Earth's mantle]]. The islands are about {{convert|1860|mi|km|-2}} from the nearest continent. ==Islands and reefs== {{Main|History of Hawaii}} The date of the first settlements of the Hawaiian Islands is a topic of continuing debate.<ref name="PearcePearce2010">{{cite book |first1=Charles E.M. |last1=Pearce |first2=F. M. |last2=Pearce |title=Oceanic Migration: Paths, Sequence, Timing and Range of Prehistoric Migration in the Pacific and Indian Oceans |url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=rhQxc4GW8soC |page=167}} |year=2010 |publisher=Springer Science & Business Media| isbn=978-90-481-3826-5 |page=167}}</ref> [[Archaeology|Archaeological]] evidence seems to indicate a settlement as early as 124 AD.<ref name="Whittaker1986">{{cite book |first=Elvi W. |last=Whittaker |title=The Mainland Haole: The White Experience in Hawaii |url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=JNM-A-QJ_o4C |page=3}}|date=1986|publisher=Columbia University Press|isbn=978-0-231-05316-7|page=3}}</ref> [[Captain (Royal Navy)|Captain]] [[James Cook]], [[Royal Navy|RN]], visited the islands on January 18, 1778,<ref>{{cite book |author1=Rayson, Ann |author2=Bauer, Helen |title=Hawaii: The Pacific State |year=1997 |publisher=Bess Press |isbn= 1573060968 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eTxD9Yzk_YQC&q=%22james+cook%22+lands+hawaiian+islands&pg=PA26 |page=26}}</ref> and named them the "Sandwich Islands" in honor of [[John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich|The 4th Earl of Sandwich]], who as the [[First Lord of the Admiralty]] was one of his sponsors.<ref>{{Cite book|title= A Voyage to the Pacific Ocean: Undertaken, by the Command of His Majesty, for Making Discoveries in the Northern Hemisphere, to Determine the Position and Extent of the West Side of North America, Its Distance from Asia, and the Practicability of a Northern Passage to Europe: Performed Under the Direction of Captains Cook, Clerke, and Gore, in His Majesty's Ships the Resolution and Discovery, in the Years 1776, 1777, 1778, 1779, and 1780 |author= [[James Cook]] and [[James King (Royal Navy officer)|James King]] |volume=2 |year=1784 |page= 222 |publisher= Nicol and Cadell, London |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=O5AqNKtDqX0C&pg=PA222 }}</ref> This name was in use until the 1840s, when the local name "Hawaii" gradually began to take precedence.<ref>{{cite web |last=Clement |first=Russell |title=From Cook to the 1840 Constitution: The Name Change from Sandwich to Hawaiian Islands |url=http://evols.library.manoa.hawaii.edu/bitstream/handle/10524/495/JL14054.pdf?sequence=2 |publisher=University of Hawai'i at Manoa Hamilton Library|access-date=June 17, 2012}}</ref> The Hawaiian Islands have a total land area of {{convert|6423.4|sqmi|km2|1}}. Except for Midway, which is an [[unincorporated territory]] of the United States, these islands and islets are administered as [[Hawaii]]—the 50th state of the [[United States]].<ref name="Guide to State and Local Census Geography - Hawaii">{{cite web |url=http://files.hawaii.gov/dbedt/census/geo/hi_gslcg.pdf |title=Guide to State and Local Census Geography – Hawaii |pages=1–2 |location=Washington, DC |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]] |date=2013-09-09 |access-date=2016-09-16}}</ref> {{Anchor|Hawaiian Windward Islands}} ===Major islands=== {{Main Hawaiian Islands}} The eight major islands of Hawaii (Windward Islands) are listed above. All except Kaho'olawe are inhabited.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://worldpopulationreview.com/states/hawaii-population/|title=Hawaii Population 2016 (Demographics, Maps, Graphs)|website=worldpopulationreview.com|access-date=2016-09-12}}</ref> ===Minor islands, islets=== [[File:ISS-38 Hawaiian Island chain.jpg|thumb|upright=1.35|Hawaiian Islands from space.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=82975|title=Hawaii : Image of the Day|work=nasa.gov|date=January 29, 2014|access-date=4 June 2015}}</ref>]] [[File:2003-3d-hawaiian-islands-usgs-i2809.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.45|3-D perspective view of the southeastern Hawaiian Islands, with the white summits of [[Mauna Loa]] ({{convert|4170|m|ft|abbr=on|disp=or}} high) and [[Mauna Kea]] ({{convert|4207.3|m|ft|abbr=on|disp=or}} high). The islands are the tops of massive volcanoes, the bulk of which lie below the sea surface. Ocean depths are colored from violet ({{convert|5750|m|ft|abbr=on|disp=or}} deep northeast of [[Maui]]) and indigo to light gray (shallowest). Historical lava flows are shown in red, erupting from the summits and rift zones of Mauna Loa, [[Kilauea]], and [[Hualalai]] volcanoes on [[Hawaii|Hawai{{okina}}i]].]] The state of Hawaii counts 137 "islands" in the Hawaiian chain.<ref>{{Cite web| url= http://hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/economic/library/facts/Facts_and_Figures_State_and_Counties.pdf | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081022150920/http://hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/economic/library/facts/Facts_and_Figures_State_and_Counties.pdf | url-status= dead | archive-date= 2008-10-22 | title= Hawai'i Facts & Figures |work= state web site |publisher= State of Hawaii Dept. of Business, Economic Development & Tourism |date=December 2009 | access-date=2010-05-23 }}</ref> This number includes all minor islands (small islands), [[islet]]s (even smaller islands) offshore of the major islands (listed above) and individual islets in each atoll. These are just a few: * [[Ka'ula]] * [[Lehua]] * [[Makapu'u]] * [[Mānana]] * [[Mokolea Rock|Mōkōlea Rock]] * [[Ford Island|Moku'ume'ume]] * [[Mokoli{{okina}}i]] * [[Molokini]] * [[Moku Manu]] * [[Coconut Island (Hawaii Island)|Moku Ola]] * [[Coconut Island (Oahu Island)|Moku o Lo'e]] * [[Nā Mokulua]] [[File:NASA Hawaiian Islands full quality.png|thumb|right|upright=1.5|A composite satellite image from [[NASA]] of the Hawaiian Islands taken from [[outer space]]. Click on the image for a larger view that shows the main islands and the extended [[archipelago]].]] ===Partial islands, atolls, reefs=== Partial islands, atolls, reefs (west of Ni{{okina}}ihau are [[Uninhabited island|uninhabited]] except Midway Atoll) form the [[Northwestern Hawaiian Islands]] (Leeward Islands): * [[Nihoa]] (Mokumana) * [[Necker Island (Northwestern Hawaiian Islands)|Necker]] (Mokumanamana) * [[French Frigate Shoals]] (Kānemiloha{{okina}}i) * [[Gardner Pinnacles]] (Pūhāhonu) * [[Maro Reef]] (Nalukākala) * [[Laysan]] (Kauō) * [[Lisianski Island]] (Papa{{okina}}āpoho) * [[Pearl and Hermes Atoll]] (Holoikauaua) * [[Midway Atoll]] (Pihemanu) * [[Kure Atoll]] (Mokupāpapa) ==Geology== {{Main|Hawaii hotspot}} {{See also|List of Hawaii rivers}} This chain of islands, or [[archipelago]], developed as the [[Pacific Plate]] slowly moved northwestward over a [[hotspot (geology)|hotspot]] in the [[Earth's mantle]] at a rate of approximately {{convert|32|mi|km|}} per million years. Thus, the southeast island is volcanically active, whereas the islands on the northwest end of the archipelago are older and typically smaller, due to longer exposure to [[erosion]]. The age of the archipelago has been estimated using potassium-argon dating methods.<ref>{{Cite web |title= Tectonics, geochronology, and origin of the Hawaiian-Emperor Volcanic Chain |url= http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/Faculty/Morden/BotZool450/Clague1989.pdf |work= The Geology of North America, Volume N: The Eastern Pacific Ocean and Hawaii |year= 1989 |access-date= 2011-01-17 |publisher= The Geology Society of America |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110611080721/http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/Faculty/Morden/BotZool450/Clague1989.pdf |archive-date= 2011-06-11 }}</ref> From this study and others,<ref>{{Cite journal|title= Potassium-Argon Ages of Lavas from the Hawi and Pololu Volcanic Series, Kohala Volcano, Hawaii |url= http://gsabulletin.gsapubs.org/content/83/12/3731.abstract |publisher= Geology Society of American Bulletin |year=1972 |volume=83 |pages= 3731–3738 |access-date= 2011-01-17|doi= 10.1130/0016-7606(1972)83[3731:PAOLFT]2.0.CO;2|last1= McDougall|first1= IAN|last2= Swanson|first2= D. A.|journal= Geological Society of America Bulletin|issue= 12|bibcode= 1972GSAB...83.3731M }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|title= Petrography and K-Ar Ages of Dredged Volcanic Rocks from the Western Hawaiian Ridge and the Southern Emperor Seamount Chain |url= http://bulletin.geoscienceworld.org/cgi/content/abstract/86/7/991 |publisher= Geology Society of America Bulletin |year=1975 |volume= 86 |pages= 991–998 |access-date= 2011-01-17|doi= 10.1130/0016-7606(1975)86<991:PAKAOD>2.0.CO;2 |issue=7|issn= 0016-7606 |last1= Clague |first1= David A. |last2= Dalrymple |first2= G. Brent |last3= Moberly |first3= Ralph |journal= Geological Society of America Bulletin |bibcode= 1975GSAB...86..991C }}</ref> it is estimated that the northwesternmost island, [[Kure Atoll]], is the oldest at approximately 28 million years (Ma); while the southeasternmost island, [[Hawaii (island)|Hawai{{okina}}i]], is approximately 0.4 Ma (400,000 years). The only active volcanism in the last 200 years has been on the southeastern island, Hawai{{okina}}i, and on the submerged but growing volcano to the extreme southeast, [[Loihi|Lo{{okina}}ihi]]. The [[Hawaiian Volcano Observatory]] of the [[United States Geological Survey|USGS]] documents recent volcanic activity and provides images and interpretations of the volcanism. [[Kīlauea]] had been erupting nearly continuously since 1983 when it stopped August 2018. Almost all of the [[magma]] of the hotspot has the composition of [[basalt]], and so the Hawaiian volcanoes are composed almost entirely of this igneous rock. There is very little coarser-grained [[gabbro]] and [[diabase]]. [[Nephelinite]] is exposed on the islands but is extremely rare. The majority of eruptions in Hawai{{okina}}i are [[Hawaiian eruption|Hawaiian-type eruptions]] because basaltic magma is relatively fluid compared with magmas typically involved in more explosive eruptions, such as the andesitic magmas that produce some of the spectacular and dangerous eruptions around the margins of the Pacific basin. [[File:Hawaii hotspot.jpg|thumb|upright=1.35|Eruptions from the [[Hawaii hotspot]] left a trail of underwater mountains across the Pacific over millions of years, called the [[Emperor Seamounts]].]] Hawai{{okina}}i island (the Big Island) is the biggest and youngest island in the chain, built from five volcanoes. [[Mauna Loa]], taking up over half of the Big Island, is the largest [[shield volcano]] on the Earth. The measurement from sea level to summit is more than {{convert|2.5|mi|km|0}}, from sea level to sea floor about {{convert|3.1|mi|km|0}}.<ref>{{Cite web|title= Mauna Loa Earth's Largest Volcano |url= http://wwwhvo.wr.usgs.gov/maunaloa/ |work= Hawaiian Volcano Observatory web site |publisher= USGS |date = February 2006|access-date=2009-12-09 }}</ref> ===Earthquakes=== {{Main|List of earthquakes in Hawaii}} The Hawaiian Islands have many [[earthquake]]s, generally caused by volcanic activity. Most of the early earthquake monitoring took place in [[Hilo, Hawaii|Hilo]], by missionaries [[Titus Coan]], Sarah J. Lyman and her family. Between 1833 and 1896, approximately 4 or 5 earthquakes were reported per year.<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/states/hawaii/history.php |title= Hawaii Earthquake History |access-date= 2009-12-09 |work= Earthquake Hazards Program |publisher= [[United States Geological Survey]] |year= 1972 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090419112209/http://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/states/hawaii/history.php |archive-date= 2009-04-19 }}</ref> Hawaii accounted for 7.3% of the United States' reported earthquakes with a [[Richter magnitude scale|magnitude]] 3.5 or greater from 1974 to 2003, with a total 1533 earthquakes. Hawaii ranked as the state with the third most earthquakes over this time period, after [[Alaska]] and [[California]].<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/states/top_states.php |title= Top Earthquake States |access-date= 2009-12-09 |work= Earthquake Hazards Program |publisher= [[United States Geological Survey]] |year= 2003 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090831032740/http://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/states/top_states.php |archive-date= 2009-08-31 |url-status= dead }}</ref> [[2006 Kiholo Bay earthquake|On October 15, 2006, there was an earthquake]] with a magnitude of 6.7 off the northwest coast of the island of Hawaii, near the [[Kona District, Hawaii|Kona]] area of the big island. The initial earthquake was followed approximately five minutes later by a magnitude 5.7 [[aftershock]]. Minor-to-moderate damage was reported on most of the Big Island. Several major roadways became impassable from rock slides, and effects were felt as far away as [[Honolulu]], Oahu, nearly {{convert|150|mi|km}} from the [[epicenter]]. Power outages lasted for several hours to days. Several water mains ruptured. No deaths or life-threatening injuries were reported. On May 4, 2018, there was a 6.9 earthquake in the zone of volcanic activity from [[Kīlauea]]. Earthquakes are monitored by the [[Hawaiian Volcano Observatory]] run by the [[United States Geological Survey|USGS]]. ===Tsunamis=== [[File:1960-Chilean-tsunami-Hilo-HI-USGS.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.35|Aftermath of the [[1960 Valdivia earthquake|1960 Chilean tsunami]] in [[Hilo]], Hawai{{okina}}i, where the tsunami left 61 people dead and 282 seriously injured. The waves reached {{convert|35|ft|m|0}} high.]] The Hawaiian Islands are subject to [[tsunami]]s, great [[wave]]s that strike the shore. Tsunamis are most often caused by [[earthquake]]s somewhere in the Pacific. The waves produced by the earthquakes travel at speeds of {{convert|400|–|500|mph|km/h|-2}} and can affect coastal regions thousands of miles (kilometers) away. Tsunamis may also originate from the Hawaiian Islands. Explosive volcanic activity can cause tsunamis. The island of [[Molokai|Moloka{{okina}}i]] had a catastrophic collapse or [[debris avalanche]] over a million years ago; this underwater landslide likely caused tsunamis. The [[Hilina Slump]] on the [[Hawaii (island)|island of Hawai{{okina}}i]] is another potential place for a large landslide and resulting tsunami. The city of [[Hilo, Hawaii|Hilo]] on the Big Island has been most affected by tsunamis, where the in-rushing water is accentuated by the shape of [[Hilo Bay]]. Coastal cities have tsunami warning sirens. A tsunami resulting from an [[2010 Chile earthquake|earthquake in Chile]] hit the islands on February 27, 2010. It was relatively minor, but local emergency management officials utilized the latest technology and ordered evacuations in preparation for a possible major event. The Governor declared it a "good drill" for the next major event. A tsunami resulting from an [[2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami|earthquake in Japan]] hit the islands on March 11, 2011. It was relatively minor, but local officials ordered evacuations in preparation for a possible major event. The tsunami caused about $30.1 million in damages.<ref name="USGS Open-File Report 2012-1229">{{Cite web |url=http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2012/1229/of2012-1229_text.pdf |title=Tohoku-Oki Earthquake Tsunami Runup and Inundation Data for Sites Around the Island of Hawai'i |first1=Frank A. |last1=Trusdell |first2=Amy |last2=Chadderton |first3=Graham |last3=Hinchliffe |first4=Andrew |last4=Hara |first5=Brent |last5=Patenge |first6=Tom |last6=Weber |publisher=USGS |date=2012-11-15 |access-date=2016-10-11 |pages=3–4}}</ref> ==History== {{Expand section|date=September 2021}} {{Main article|History of Hawaii}} ==Ecology== {{See also|Endemism in the Hawaiian Islands|List of animal species introduced to the Hawaiian Islands|List of invasive plant species in Hawaii}} The islands are home to a multitude of [[endemism|endemic]] species. Since human settlement, first by [[Polynesians]], non native trees, plants, and animals were introduced. These included species such as rats and pigs, that have preyed on native birds and invertebrates that initially evolved in the absence of such predators. The growing population of humans has also led to deforestation, [[forest degradation]], treeless grasslands, and [[environmental degradation]]. As a result, many species which depended on forest habitats and food became extinct—with many current species facing extinction. As humans cleared land for farming, [[Monoculture|monocultural crop production]] replaced [[Polyculture|multi-species systems]].{{Citation needed|date=January 2018}} The arrival of the [[Ethnic groups in Europe|Europeans]] had a more significant impact, with the promotion of large-scale single-species export agriculture and livestock grazing. This led to increased clearing of forests, and the development of towns, adding many more species to the [[list of extinct animals of the Hawaiian Islands]]. {{As of|2009}}, many of the remaining endemic species are considered endangered.<ref>{{Cite book |title= Agroforestry Guides for Pacific Islands |editor= Craig R. Elevitch |editor2=Kim M. Wilkinson |url= http://www.agroforestry.net/afg/ |isbn= 0-9702544-0-7 |publisher= Permanent Agriculture Resources |year= 2000 |access-date= 2005-09-26 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060112211047/http://www.agroforestry.net/afg/ |archive-date= 2006-01-12 |url-status= dead }}</ref> ==National Monument== On June 15, 2006, President [[George W. Bush]] issued a public proclamation creating [[Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument]] under the [[Antiquities Act]] of 1906. The Monument encompasses the northwestern Hawaiian Islands and surrounding waters, forming the largest<ref name="Expansion 2016">{{cite magazine|last1=Barnett|first1=Cynthia|title=Hawaii Is Now Home to an Ocean Reserve Twice the Size of Texas|url=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/08/obama-creates-world-s-largest-park-off-hawaii/?sf34386404=1|access-date=September 2, 2016|magazine=National Geographic|date=August 26, 2016}}</ref> marine wildlife reserve in the world. In August 2010, [[UNESCO]]'s [[World Heritage Committee]] added Papahānaumokuākea to its [[List of World Heritage Sites in Oceania|list]] of [[World Heritage Site]]s.<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://en.wikinews.org/wiki/21_sites_added_to_Unesco_World_Heritage_list|title=21 sites added to Unesco World Heritage list – Wikinews, the free news source|journal=Wikinews|date=August 5, 2010|language=en|access-date=2017-03-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://intransit.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/08/04/unesco-adds-21-sites-to-world-heritage-list|title=Unesco Adds 21 Sites to World Heritage List|last=Saltzstein|first=Dan|date=2010-08-04|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=2017-03-28|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/news/647|title=World Heritage Committee inscribes a total of 21 new sites on UNESCO World Heritage List|date=2010-08-02|website=whc.unesco.org|language=en|access-date=2017-03-28}}</ref> On August 26, 2016, President [[Barack Obama]] greatly expanded Papahānaumokuākea, quadrupling it from its original size.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.staradvertiser.com/2016/08/25/breaking-news/ige-tells-obama-he-supports-expansion-of-papahanaumokuakea/|title=Obama expands Papahanaumokuakea marine reserve; plans Oahu trip|last=Cocke|first=Sophie|date=2016-08-25|website=Honolulu Star Advertiser|access-date=2017-03-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2016/08/26/fact-sheet-president-obama-create-worlds-largest-marine-protected-area|title=Fact Sheet: President Obama to Create the World's Largest Marine Protected Area|date=2016-08-26|work=whitehouse.gov|access-date=2017-03-28|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/08/obama-creates-world-s-largest-park-off-hawaii/|title=Hawaii Is Now Home to an Ocean Reserve Twice the Size of Texas|last=Barnett|first=Cynthia|date=2016-08-26|work=NationalGeographic.com|access-date=2017-03-28}}</ref> ==Climate== {{Main|Climate of Hawaii}} The Hawaiian Islands are [[Tropical climate|tropical]] but experience many different climates, depending on altitude and surroundings.<ref name=hydrology>{{cite book|pages=39, 43, 49, 53|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BJjf0Oh2EBIC&pg=PA49|title=Hydrology of the Hawaiian Islands|isbn=9780824829483|last1=Lau|first1=Leung-Ku Stephen|last2=Mink|first2=John Francis|date=2006-10-01}}</ref> The islands receive most rainfall from the [[trade wind]]s on their north and east flanks (the windward side) as a result of [[orographic precipitation]].<ref name=hydrology/> Coastal areas in general and especially the south and west flanks, or [[Windward and leeward|leeward]] sides, tend to be drier.<ref name=hydrology/> In general, the lowlands of Hawaiian Islands receive most of their precipitation during the winter months (October to April).<ref name=hydrology/> Drier conditions generally prevail from May to September.<ref name=hydrology/> The [[tropical storm]]s, and occasional [[hurricane]]s, tend to occur from July through November.<ref name=hydrology/> During the summer months the average temperature is about 84&nbsp;°F (29&nbsp;°C), in the winter months it is approximately 78,8&nbsp;°F (26&nbsp;°C). As the temperature is relatively constant over the year the probability of dangerous thunderstorms is approximately low.<ref>{{Cite web|title=So ist das Wetter auf Hawaii|url=https://www.hawaiiurlaub.de/hawaii-wetter-klima/|access-date=2020-06-24|website=Hawaiiurlaub.de|date=July 24, 2015|language=de-DE}}</ref> ==See also== {{portal|Geography|Oceania|<!-- Polynesia -->|United States|Hawaii|Mountains|Volcanoes}} * [[Hawaii Inter-Island Cable System]] * [[Index of Hawaii-related articles]] * [[List of birds of Hawaii]] * [[List of fish of Hawaii]] * [[List of mountain peaks of Hawaii]] * [[List of Ultras of Hawaii]] * [[Maritime fur trade]] * [[Outline of Hawaii]] ==References== {{reflist|25em}} ==Further reading== * {{Cite book | last = Morgan | first = Joseph R. | chapter = Volcanic Landforms | chapter-url = https://archive.org/details/hawaiiuniquegeog0000morg/page/8/mode/2up | chapter-url-access = registration | title = Hawai'i: A Unique Geography | url = https://archive.org/details/hawaiiuniquegeog0000morg | url-access = registration | publisher = Bess Press | year = 1996 | location = Honolulu, HI | isbn = 9781573060219 | oclc = 693187693 | via = Internet Archive | ref = none }} * [http://apdrc.soest.hawaii.edu/Hawaii An integrated information website focused on the Hawaiian Archipelago] from the [http://apdrc.soest.hawaii.edu/PRIDE/ Pacific Region Integrated Data Enterprise (PRIDE)]. *{{cite book |last1=Macdonald |first1=Gordon A. |author1-link=Gordon A. Macdonald |last2=Abbott |first2=Agatin |title=Volcanoes in the Sea: The Geology of Hawaii |publisher=University of Hawaii Press |publication-place=Honolulu |year=2021 |orig-year=1970 |isbn=9780824885786 |oclc=1253313940 |doi=10.1515/9780824885786 |ref=none}} **1970 edition: {{Internet Archive |id=volcanoesinseage00macd |name=Volcanoes in the Sea: The Geology of Hawaii}} {{registration required|nolink=y}} * ''[http://radlab.soest.hawaii.edu/atlas/ The Ocean Atlas of Hawai‘i]'' – SOEST at University of Hawai{{okina}}i. * {{cite web |url=http://volcano.oregonstate.edu/education/hawaii/intro/intro.html |title=Hawaiian Volcanoes – Introduction – Department of Geosciences |quote=[http://volcano.oregonstate.edu Volcano World {{!}}; Your World is Erupting] – [[Oregon State University College of Science]] |location=Corvallis, OR, USA |access-date=May 12, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305015414/http://volcano.oregonstate.edu/education/hawaii/intro/intro.html |archive-date=March 5, 2012 }} {{Hawaii}} {{Polynesia}} {{U.S. political divisions geographies}} {{Authority control}} [[Category:Islands of Hawaii| ]] [[Category:Archipelagoes of the Pacific Ocean]] [[Category:Archipelagoes of Oceania]] [[Category:Archipelagoes of the United States]] [[Category:Divided regions]] [[Category:Geography of Polynesia]] [[Category:Geology of Hawaii|Islands]] [[Category:Hudson's Bay Company trading posts]] [[Category:Physical oceanography]]'