French Polynesia

Culture is defined as a whole basis of knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, and customs that define a person or group of persons. Culture differs is so many ways and that culture is what defines each of person as an individual. This concept comes from the cultural that was taught and developed from after birth and through our adolescent years. Our culture is the foundation of who we are. It identifies the lifestyle and pursuits that are practiced in the group of people we interact with in our society. Culture beliefs, values, and practices are learned from birth.

The islands of French Polynesia are almost surrounded/protected by the coral reefs from the sea. There are two ancient volcanoes on the islands of French Polynesia. One of them lies on the island called Tahiti. The volcano stands at 7,352 feet above sea level. The other one is on the island called Bora-Bora. The volcano there stands at 2,385 feet above sea level. Both are part of the Society Islands. The Society Islands are divided into two parts/island custards. One is know as the Îles du Vent(Windward Islands). The other is known as the Îles Sous le Vent (Leeward Islands) which were named by Capt. James Cook when he visited for a scientific expedition for the Royal Society (Society part). The islands became first a French

The last state admitted into the United States so far is Hawaii. Hawaii became the 50th state in 1959. The Hawaiian Islands were settled by the Polynesians first, about 2000 years ago. Then, in 1778, James Cook stopped in the Hawaiian Islands on his way to China. This is the first time the Westerners find out about Hawaii. After that, American ships began settling there, in the early 1800’s. From there, American missionaries come to the Hawaiian Islands, and they wanted to convert the Hawaiians to Christianity. Over time, Americans became very trusted advisors for the rulers. Eventually, in 1840, America would help Hawaii write their first Constitution. This helps them become even closer with the Native Hawaiians. 10 years later, the sugar

Located 30 minutes north of Atlanta, Georgia, this is a truly amazing lake. It is a large lake filled with islands, hence the name. If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, this beautiful lake is the place to go. It is quite commercialized with resort hotels and water parks, spa center, and campgrounds dotting its white sand shores, but the lake itself is breathtakingly gorgeous.

Rice replaced Kalo ever since. The rice industry took over the Kalo patches and “In 1900, it was estimated that about 1280 acres were being used for kalo production… [and] by 1907, rice had become a major crop, occupying about 10,000 acres.” (4). There were no more Hawaiian farmers because Hawaiians were dying of all the new diseases that were introduced to the island. Chinese farmers took over growing the rice and what was left with of the Kalo. In 1973, majority of the Kalo farmers were

Most people imagine Hawaii to be paradise. An island Utopia where the rich and upper middle class come on vacation. However just like most places Hawaii has its own share of poverty, economic problems, environmental issues, high crime rate, and high unemployment rates. The Red Headed Hawaiian by Chris McKinney gives a more realistic and insightful view on what life in Hawaii is like for the Hawaiians. The book was published May 1st, 2014, it is a first-hand account of what life in Hawaii is really like. It tells of the struggles and hardships native Hawaiians have to face just to make a living. It describes the challenges they overcome along with the brave souls who overcome them.

Diamond stated that when the Polynesian ancestors arrived the island was covered with heavily forested and fertile land, however by the 1400's the forest were destroyed and cause the people to revert to cannibalism once the animals died off and the people couldn't construct ocean-going canoes. Diamond concluded that the Easter Island declined because of environmental destruction and social concerns being more

Over one hundred million years of existence, capable of traveling through the oceans of the world. One creature so magnificent that it is able to live up to 70 years old and weigh between 200 to 500 pounds. This creature is the majestic Hawaiian green sea turtle. Although they are found throughout the world, Hawaiian green sea turtles are distinctly different from other green sea turtles (NOAA Fisheries par. 4). They travel to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands to nest and then travel to the main Hawaiian Islands to feed. Such a unique creature is very important to the Hawaiian Islands. Hawaiian green sea turtles play an important role in the ecosystem, the economy, the culture, and the

“Sacred Earth” is another name for the beautiful American Samoa. Tafeu Cove, located in American Samoa, is about 2,600 miles southwest of Hawaii. Tafeu Cove has alluring blue waters, beaches, and animals. This amazing national park also has 4,000 acres of land offshore from three separate smaller islands.

On the Hawaiian Island, beautiful sunlight shined down on the people. In the middle of the Pacific island of Oahu is a peaceful scene. This is a sunny Sunday, the airplanes neatly arranged at the airport, the warship was spotlessly clean lined up in rows on the pier, as if they were ready for inspection. Just when everything seemed ordinary, several bombs were dropped in the Pearl Harbor. Suddenly, the calming Pearl Harbor turned into a sea of fire, smoke everywhere in the harbor. Warships were buried in the bottom of the sea after some warship shot semi-submerged combustion. In this picture, a warship of Pearl Harbor was burning inside. The U.S. Pacific Fleet suffered serious losses, which were four battleships, three cruisers, and

The Hawaiian Island chain is made up of 132 islands, and the eight main islands are Hawai’i, Maui, O’ahu, Kaua’i, Moloka’i, Lana’i, Ni’ihau, and Kaho’olawe. Hawai’i is also referred to as “The Big Island” so it is not confused with the name of the state. Hawai’i is most likely part of a longer name, so nobody knows what it actually means, but some believe it means something like “Place of the Water of Life” (King, S. K., 2017). Some people believe Maui is named after Maui Kupua, a shaman hero from legends (King, S. K., 2017). Maui is also called “The Valley Island” because it has so many valleys that were formed from the two volcanos on the island (Flanagan, J., 2017). O’ahu is “The Gathering Place” because of its high population and the

Criminal acts are rare and nearly non-existent some common sense things are do not wear expensive jewelry, carry large amounts of money, and do not involve yourself in a fight. There are no virtually no aggressive vendors or beggars. No fraud has been noted and prices are clearly marked when out shopping. No terrorist act has ever been noticed as well as no piracy in the maritime zone. I think the biggest danger may be walking under a coconut tree and having one of them drop on my head causing a concussion.

Every summer night on Tangier Island was filled with delicious food, amazing music, and energetic friends. The night started with pizza and root beer floats at a restaurant called Four Brothers. After a couple hours of talking and eating, we would walk around the tiny island listening to the song “Apple Bottom Jeans” and dancing like nobody was watching. Finally, the night ended after a few laps around the island on my best friend’s moped. No matter how many years have gone by, the exciting memories of summers on Tangier Island will stick with me forever. However, Tangier Island is much more than just my childhood memories. This disappearing, isolated island of Tangier has its own fascinating history and unique

Saint Croix is the largest of the US Virgin Islands, which lie 1730 miles east south east of Miami and 93 miles west of Puerto Rico. This section of the Virgin Islands has belonged to the United States since 1917 when they were acquired from the Danish government for $25m in gold to protect American shores from German U-boat attack.

Hawaii, also known as The Aloha State, primarily consists of 8 eight main volcanic islands in the central Pacific Ocean that stretch over 1,500 miles: Niʻihau, Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Kahoʻolawe, Maui, and Hawaii Island. Because of its location in the center of the Pacific Ocean, its culture is strongly influenced by Asian and North American cultures as well as its indigenous Hawaiian culture. The islands are home to over a million permanent residents. Hawaii has been characterized as “the loveliest fleet of islands that lies anchored in any ocean”1. It is famous for its warm year-round temperatures, natural beauty, and unique culture. This makes it a dream destination for people all over the world. In 2014, a group of expert travel