role in the state’s economy. Agriculture
is another source of state income. Pineapples,
sugarcane (for sugar), and macadamia
nuts are major crops.
History
Hawaii was settled more than 1,500
years ago by people from Polynesia. The
first European to reach the islands was
British explorer James Cook, who
arrived at Kauai Island in 1778. At that
time each island was ruled by its own
individual chief. By 1810, however,
King Kamehameha I had united all of
the islands under his rule. Missionaries,
traders, planters, explorers, and adventurers
began arriving on the islands in
the 1820s.
In 1858 the Kingdom of Hawaii asked
to become part of the United States but
was refused. In 1893 a revolution led to
the end of the monarchy. The last queen
was Queen Liliuokalani. The new government
again tried to join the United
States but was also turned down.
Instead, the leaders of the government
established a republic with a president in
1894. In 1898 Hawaii finally was
accepted by the United States. It became
the Territory of Hawaii in 1900.
On December 7, 1941, the Japanese
airplanes attacked U.S. warships that
were stationed at Pearl Harbor, near
Honolulu. This action caused the
United States to enterWorldWar II.
In 1959 Hawaii became the 50th state
in the Union. Led by a rush in tourism,
the state made major economic gains
after it attained statehood. Many tourists
visit the wreck of the Arizona, a large
ship that was sunk in the attack on Pearl
Harbor. The ship was left in place to
honor the people who died in the attack.
..More to explore
Hawaii’s Kilauea is an active volcano. Cook, James • Honolulu •WorldWar II
Facts About
HAWAII
Flag
Population
(2000 census)
1,211,537—
rank, 42nd state;
(2008 estimate)
1,288,198—
rank, 42nd state
Capital
Honolulu
Area
10,931 sq mi
(28,311 sq km)—
rank, 43rd state
Statehood
August 21, 1959
Motto
Ua Mau ke Ea o
ka Aina i ka Pono
(The Life of the
Land Is
Perpetuated in
Righteousness)
State bird
Nene (Hawaiian
goose)
State flower
Yellow hibiscus
BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA Hawaii 27
Hawk
Hawks are birds of prey, meaning that
they hunt and kill animals for food.
Hawks are closely related to eagles, kites,
harriers, buzzards, and some vultures.
Those birds are sometimes also called
hawks because they are in the hawk family.
There are about 50 kinds of “true”
hawks. These include the sparrowhawks
and the goshawks.
Two typical hawks are the sharp-shinned
hawk and Cooper’s hawk. These hawks
have a gray back and a rusty brown
underside. The sharp-shinned hawk is
about 12 inches (30 centimeters) long.
The Cooper’s hawk is larger, with a
length of about 14 to 20 inches (36 to
51 centimeters).
Hawks live in forests in most parts of
the world. They usually have a long tail
and short, rounded wings. These features
allow them to fly fast and low in
areas with bushes and trees. A hawk
often catches its prey by swiftly following
the animal as it tries to escape. It
uses its sharp claws and beak to catch
and kill the animal.
Many people think hawks are harmful
because some kinds eat songbirds and
poultry. But most hawks are actually
more useful to humans overall. They eat
rodents, insects, and other pests. Hawks
also eat other small animals such as
squirrels and lizards.
#More to explore
Bird • Bird of Prey • Eagle • Vulture
Hawthorn
Hawthorns are trees and shrubs that are
beautiful to look at but painful to touch.
Like rose bushes, hawthorns have long,
sharp thorns covering their branches.
The thorns protect the plant from damage
by animals. Hawthorns grow in
cool-climate areas of Europe, Asia, and
North America.
Hawthorns are usually small trees or
large shrubs. Some hawthorns can grow
to about 30 feet (9 meters) tall. They
have scaly, gray bark. Their oval leaves
have teeth or rounded sections along the
edges. Hawthorns shed their leaves in
the autumn. In late spring and early
summer white or pink flowers bloom.
When the flowers die, small red fruits
appear.
A row of hawthorns planted together
makes a good hedge. The sharp thorns
prevent animals or intruders from passing
through. Songbirds and small ani-
The Eurasian sparrowhawk lives in forests
in Europe and Asia. It also can be found in
northwestern Africa.
28 Hawk BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA
mals may also hide from predators
among the sharp thorns. The fruit from
hawthorns can be eaten fresh or made
into jelly. Birds also eat the fruit. Hummingbirds
and insects drink a sweet liquid
called nectar from the flowers.
#More to explore
Plant • Tree
Hayes,
Rutherford B.
Rutherford B. Hayes was the 19th president
of the United States. He was
elected in 1876. Many people argued
about whether the election was fair.
Early Life and Career
Rutherford Birchard Hayes was born on
October 4, 1822, in Delaware, Ohio.
His father, farmer Rutherford Hayes,
died before Rutherford was born. His
mother, Sophia Birchard, educated him
at home.
Hayes graduated from Kenyon College
in 1842. After studying law at Harvard
University, he started a law practice in
Cincinnati. He also joined the new
Republican Party. In 1852 Hayes married
LucyWareWebb. They had eight
children.
After fighting in the American Civil
