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"When I Get Back To the States...."

© Lottie Tagupa

It never ceases to amaze me that this phrase is still heard all around the islands, even as we approach the millenium. This is the mother of all faux pas when it comes to Hawaii. Utter it, or something similar to it, and you will be branded as a "Tourist Who Knows Absolutely Nothing." Unfortunately, it is within my earshot almost every day. I hear it on the beach, at the bus stop and even at the shopping mall. I try to be merciful and accept the mentality behind this faux pas as something to do with the physical beauty of the islands, the extreme difference of this state in comparison with any other in the USA. Perhaps it is the unique mix of our multi-cultural society, or perhaps the chattering of Pidgin English everyone uses so casually here. I try to avoid thinking that it was due to a lack of attention in high school geography class.

But, for those of you who are cautious about returning home to the mainland with what I sometimes refer to as the "States" award, here is some information you may want to absorb for your upcoming trip, to impress your friends or to store for that inevitable Hawaii category on Jeopardy.

The Hawaiian Islands actually consist of 132 islands, reefs and shoals, stretching 1,523 miles (2,451 kilometers) southeast to northwest across the Tropic of Cancer between 154 40' to 178 25' W longitude and 18 54' to 28 15' N latitude, consisting approximately of a total land area of 6,425 square miles. The eight southeastern most are the largest in the chain. They are the major islands of the Hawaiian Archipelago. They include the islands of Hawaii, Maui, Kahoolawe, Lanai, Molokai, Oahu, Kauai and Niihau.

Here are a few more Hawaiian facts for your Hawaiian library. The State flower of Hawaii is the yellow hibiscus not the red hibiscus, as most seem to think. The State Tree is the Kukui, or candlenut tree. The nut oil from this tree provided ancient Hawaiians fuel for light, and today is popular in cooking and fresh fish dishes. The State Bird is the Nene or Hawaiian goose. On the endangered list, it can be found roaming freely in the upper elevations on the island of Hawaii. But be careful not to run over one, or even interfere with one, since heavy fines will follow. The State fish is the Humuhumunukunukuapuaa. It is a colorful tropical fish about four and a half inches wide. The State flag closely resembles the Union Jack of England. The flag was designed at a time when the English played a prominent role in Hawaii. the state motto is: Ua Mau Ke Ea O Ka Aina I Ka Pono, which translates to: the life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness. King Kamehameha III uttered these words after a brief and unsuccessful attempt by the British to usurp his power, and gain control of the islands. The State Anthem is Hawaii Ponoi, which was formerly the National Anthem of Hawaii before annexation to the United States, and written by King David Kalakaua and put to music by Henry Berger the Royal Hawaiian bandmaster.

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