The Honolulu Advertiser - Hawaii Newcomer's Guide

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The state of Hawai'i

O'ahu: The Gathering Place

Whether or not O'ahu actually is Hawaiian for "the gathering place" is debatable, but that is the prevailing translation. The fact that three-quarters of Hawai'i's population lives here certainly lends credence to it.

The third largest of the Hawaiian Islands, O'ahu accounts for about 10 percent of the land in Hawai'i and 80 percent of the state's economic output.

The Atlas of Hawai'i assesses O'ahu's size at 607.7 square miles.

O'ahu's largest city, Honolulu ("protected bay"), is also the largest city in Hawai'i, the county seat, the state capitol, and the center of business and industry in the islands.

It's Almost Always Fair Weather

Hawai'i's tropical latitude of 22 deg 15' N to 19 deg N yields little difference in year-round day length and lots of sun even in the winter.

There's no dispute about the climate — it's idyllic. Summer temperatures generally range from daytime highs of 85 to lows at night of 70. Highs in winter range from the 70s during the day to the 60s at night.

Ocean temperatures are just as hospitable, ranging from 74 to 75 degrees in March to 79 to 80 degrees in September.

Of course, temperatures are lower at higher elevations. On the Big Island of Hawai'i, snowfall on Mauna Kea is one of the most unusual sights in the state.

All Hawaiian Islands have a "dry side" and a "wet side." The windward or east side of each island attracts more annual rainfall. The leeward or west side is typically the drier area.

The City and County of Honolulu

Honolulu Hale: Home of Local Government

City Hall, better known as Honolulu Hale (house, pronounced ha'-lay) is located at the corner of King and Punchbowl streets on the sprawling Civic Center grounds.

This landmark structure was built in 1928 in the romantic Mediterranean-Early Renaissance architecture that was favored in the 1920s.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Honolulu Hale houses O'ahu's executive branch of government, represented by the Mayor's office, and legislative branch, under the auspices of the City Council.

The Aloha State, 50th of the United States of America

State Capitol Building

The State Capitol building is on Beretania Street between Punchbowl and Richards streets. The $24.5 million structure was completed in 1969 and is simply swimming in Hawaiian symbolism.

The water surrounding the structure represents the Pacific Ocean. The 40 columns encircling the building represent Hawai'i's native royal palm trees.

Typical of the Hawaiian spirit — which is at one with nature — the wide, open spaces at ground level welcome the winds. The central court is open to the sun, rain, moon and stars, and its design evokes the caldera of a volcano.

Inside the building, Hawaiian symbolism is most apparent in the legislative chambers. Here, the walls are designed like the subterranean slopes of a volcano and are made with basaltic rock, which formed the Hawaiian Islands.

Hawai'i State Legislature

Hawai'i's Legislature is composed of 25 senators and 51 representatives, each serving four-year terms.

For complete information on the Hawai'i State Legislature, including all of the legislators' names and how to contact them, go to www.capitol.hawaii.gov.

HAWAI'I STATE FACTS

Governor: Linda Lingle (R)
Lt. Governor: Duke Aiona (R)
Date of statehood: August 21, 1959
Capital: Honolulu
Population: 1,262,840
State anthem: Hawai'i Pono'i, written in 1874 by King Kalakaua
State motto: Ua mau ke 'ea o ka 'aina i ka pono (the life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness)
State flower: Yellow hibiscus
State bird: Nene (Hawaiian goose)
State tree: Kukui (candlenut)
State flag: Features the British Union Jack and eight red, white and blue stripes representing the eight major islands of Hawai'i
State seal: Features the state coat of arms with King Kamehameha I, left, the Goddess of Liberty, right; the year Hawai'i became a state; the state motto; and the phoenix, embellished with maidenhair fern, banana and taro leaves.
Official Web site: www.state.hi.us
State Capitol Address:
415 South Beretania Street
Honolulu, Hawai'i 96813

Key Phone Numbers

State Switchboard: 586-2211
Information Office: 586-0221
Governor's Office: 586-0034

	United States Senate Daniel K. Inouye (D) U.S. Senator since 1962 300 Ala Moana Blvd., Room 7-212 Honolulu, HI 96850 Honolulu: 541-2542 Washington, D.C. : (202) 224-6747 E-mail: www.senate.gov/~inouye

	United States Senate Daniel K. Akaka (D) U.S. Senator since 1990 300 Ala Moana Blvd., Room 3-106 Honolulu, HI 96850 Honolulu: 522-8970 Washington, D.C. : (202) 224-6361 E-mail: www.senate.gov/~akaka

	U. S. House of Representatives Neil Abercrombie (D) U.S. Congressman since 1990 300 Ala Moana Blvd., Room 4-104 Honolulu, HI 96850 Honolulu: 541-2570 Washington, D.C. : (202) 225-2726 E-mail: www.house.gov/abercrombie

	U. S. House of Representatives Ed Case (D) U.S. Congressman 2003 5104 Prince Kuhio Federal Bldg. Honolulu, HI 96850 Honolulu: 541-1986 Washington D.C. : (202) 225-4906 E-mail: www.house.gov/case