Hawaii

CSUN- Geography 421

Natali Mendoza

1: Region and Ecoregions

Home to the majority of Hawaii's Population and a wealth of activities and attractions, Oahu is separated into 5 distinct regions which includes: 

• Honolulu
• the Windward Coast
• Central Oahu
• The leeward Coast 
• the North Shore 

World famous Waikiki is located on the south shore of Honolulu. 

Some attraction from these places are: 

Honolulu: Hawaii's  largest city that looks like any other big metropolitan center with tall buildings. In fact, some cynics refer to it as "Los Angeles West." But within Honolulu's boundaries, you'll find rain-forests, deep canyons, valleys and waterfalls, a nearly mile-high mountain range, coral reefs, and gold-sand beaches. The city proper where most of Oahu's residents live, is approximately 12 miles wide and 26 miles long, running east to west, rougly between Diamond Head and Pearl Harbor. Within the city are seven hills laced by seven streams that run to Mamala Bay. 
The Windward Coast: Kailua Beach Park, Oahu located in the Windward Coast, overlooks Bay and the Monkula Islands and is a great spot for kayaking, windsurfing and other water sports. 

Central Oahu: One of the best attractions in Central Oahu is the Five Pearl Harbor Historic Sites that honor this National Historic Landmark where World War ll both began and ended. 

The Leeward Coast: Kaena Point, Oahu is a sacred spot at the western most tip of Oahu accessible only by hike. 

The North shore: Here's the Hawaii of Hollywood- giant waves, surfers galore, tropical jungles, waterfalls, and mysterious Hawaiian temples. Also, if you're looking for a quieter  vacation, closer to nature and filled with swimming, snorkeling, diving, surfing, or just plain hanging out on some of the world's most beautiful beaches, the North Shore is the perfect spot.  

Source: Gohawaii.com/oahu/regions-neighborhoods

2: The Nonhuman World

What is a wetland?

Wetlands are lands periodically covered or saturated by fresh or salt water and characterized by, Hydrology (water), Soils, and vegetation (plants). Wetlands can be seasonal or permanent, and are found in landscapes such as depression, coastal shorelines, fringes along running or standing water, and Hawaii’s cloud forests.  

Hawaii’s Wetlands include: Riverine Wetlands, which are surface water systems found along the edge of rives or streams. There is also the Palustrine wetland, where bogs are found in depressions where rain or groundwater collects. In fact, Hawaii’s rare montane bogs take millions of years to form. 

There's also the Marine wetlands, such as intertidal shorelines, seagrass beds, or tidepools, are saltwater systems, and provide habitat for many species harvested by humans for food.

Montane Bog 

Because wetlands are a great importance in our environment, One of the main reasons why we need to protect wetlands is because wetlands can store excess water during heavy rainfall, reducing flood impacts to roads, parking lots and homes. Also, wetlands can store, filter, and absorb excess nutrients, sediments, and pollutants. This reduces the pollution that ends up in stream and marine reef areas. Another important reason of why we need to protect wetlands is because, wetlands are transition zones between upland and deep water habitats where biological communities blend and have increase diversity. And most importantly, wetlands are scenic landscapes that hold cultural and historical significance.

Today, most threats to wetlands have been caused by the human population. Pollution is one of the major threats; Non-point source pollution from septic waste-water, agricultural runoff, and contaminated storm- water can overwhelm the filtering capacity of wetlands, impacting downstream coastal waters. Also many wetlands in Hawaii have been drained or filled for agricultural production, resort development and community expansion. And then there is climate change; raising temperatures lead to raising sea levels and impacts to coastal wetlands.

However, aside from the negative threats, there can be a positive change to help save wetlands. We can always inform ourselves about wetlands, prevent pollution by avoiding using fertilizers and pesticides on lawns and gardens because these chemicals wash into downstream ecosystems. And also, care for wetlands around your area. 

Wetland Identification

wetland and climate change adaptation 

Source: Hawaii/wetlands/wetlandsporter.pdf

3: Sustainability

Water in Hawaii:

Fresh water is the most basic cornerstone of civilization. In Hawaii, rain in the mountains has carved rivers over millions of years, and those pathways carry fresh water to the sea. And while an abundance of water is one of Hawaii's many blessings, the disparity between some of the wettest places and some of the driest has made the management of fresh water resources critical. Systems to divert, store and deliver that water have allowed for the proliferation of crops like pineapple and sugar and for development into areas far from natural streams.

The Latest report: The Hawaii Supreme Court will rule on how much water can be taken by Hawaii's last sugar plantation and how much must remain in four of Maui's biggest streams. In recent years, scales have started to tip in favor of small landowners in the fight for control of this public resource.

Solar Energy: 

Little by little Solar Energy has become of great use in Hawaii. Hawaii is determined to become one of the highest users of solar energy. The tropical location of Hawaii provides lots of sun energy that stands to be utilized more effectively in the future.  Oahu Wind Integration Study has release a report detailing the impact of solar power could provide Oahu up to 25% of its electricity while eliminating the need to burn approximately 2.8 million barrels of low sulfur fuel oil and 132,000 tons of coal each year. As of today, Hawaii has a renewable portfolio standard of 40% renewable energy by 2030. 

Wind Energy:

Wind power is a big part of the renewable energy for Hawaii. Wind power in Hawaii has the potential to provide all of the electricity used in the U.S state of Hawaii. It was concur that in 2011, Hawaii had the potential to generate all energy used in the state from wind and solar power.

Geothermal Energy:
Politicians and corporate lobbyist announced the benefits promised by a geothermal industrial buildup. they claim that geothermal energy is safe and clean, provides greater energy security, provides more jobs and that it will lower electricity costs. However there has been controversies about geothermal energy in Hawaii. Some claim that geothermal is fracking (hydraulic fracturing) while others say that it had produces clean efficient energy for the past years. there has been reports of local residents saying that they are beginning to suspect that the popular claim of Hawaii's geothermal energy being clean and safe, may ultimately rely on a lack of independent monitoring and reporting. 

Sources: Civilbeat.com/topics/water-in-hawaii

hawaiireporter.com-geothermal-energy

4: Population and Consumption

According to the 2010 U.S census, the current population in Hawaii is 1,360,301 with around 953,207 people (70%) living in the city and county of Honolulu. 

Population by Gender

Honolulu Area	Male: 50.05% Female: 49.95%
Hawaii	Male: 50.08% Female: 49.92%
U.S.	Male: 49.16% Female: 50.84%

*Based on 2010 data. View historical gender data.

Population by Age:

Median Age 

Honolulu Area	37.80 years old
Hawaii	38.60 years old

Median Age, Male

Honolulu Area	36.20 years old
Hawaii	37.20 years old

Median Age, Female

Honolulu Area	39.30 years old
Hawaii	39.90 years old

Population by Races

White: 22.7% Black: 1.6% Hispanic: 8.9%, Asian: 38.6% Native (American Indian, Alaska Native, Hawaiian Native, etc.): 10% One Race, Other: 1.10% Two or More Races: 23.6%

Population Density

Honolulu Area	447.92 per square mile
Hawaii	124.44 per square mile
U.S.	81.32 per square mile

Hawaii State and County Population 

    

County Grown: Neighbor Island counties are growing at a much faster rate than Honolulu. This growth results in population demand for more health care resources, some of which had traditionally been centralized in the state's population hub, Honolulu.

Source: Hawai`i State Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism.; U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division.

Note: Population in each decennial year is as of April 1; all others as of July 1.

  

6: The North Atlantic Provinces and Northern New England

The North Atlantic Provinces and Northern New England Vs. Hawaii

THE BIG COLLAPSE:

The collapse of the Northern Cod fishery marked profound changed in the ecological, economic and socio-cultural structure of Atlantic Canada. For many families, the Cod fishery marked also represented their livelihood: most families were connected either directly or indirectly with the fishery ads fishers, fish plant workers, fish sellers, fish transporters, or as employees in related businesses. The fishery was mismanaged until it collapsed and unfortunately till this day, it has not recovered. Hawaii has a similar story in regards of its sugar plantations. Industrial sugar productions started slowly in Hawaii, and by the 1840s, sugar plantations gained a foothold in Hawaiian agriculture. The Reciprocity Treaty of 1875 allowed Hawaii to sell sugar to the United States without paying duties or taxes, greatly increasing plantation profits. This treaty also guaranteed that all sources including land, water, human labor power, capital, and technology would be thrown behind sugarcane cultivation. Additionally, by 1898 Hawaii was overthrown by the United States. After the overthrown, Hawaiian people saw little use for working on the plantations when they could easily subsist by farming and fishing. Sugar plantations got dramatically impacted as the area started getting filled with taro, banana plantations along with fish pond. However, this subsistence farming did not last, sugar plantations were not only environmentally destructed in the past, they unfortunately continue to be so.

 

AGRICULTURE:

Farmers who remained in farmland in Northern New England, grew specialized crops such as: Potatoes, Blueberries, and Dairy- for the local market. The Atlantic Provinces grew Apples and Potato crops. In Hawaii crops are a bit different due to Hawaii’s mild climate. It is a fertile place that sustains many different types of agriculture. Crop farms in Hawaii include Cattle, Hogs, Eggs, and Honey. Other crops are Sugarcane, Macadamia Nuts, Pineapples and Coffee.

Sources: A regional geography of the United States and Canada 

7: Megalopolis

Megalopolis Vs. Hawaii 

Megalopolis is a Greek word meaning "very large city." it is a term used to describe a large and often overpopulated city. 

Weather: The weather in Megalopolis is humid in the summer. Winter varies from cold in the north to mild in the south. Winds blowing from the west minimize the ocean’s influence. Since hawaii is located in the tropics, its climate is mind and summer highs are usually in the upper 80s (31 C) and winters are in the low 80s (28 C).





Water: there are five major rivers that overflow along the Megalopolis coast- the Connecticut, Delaware, Susquehanna, and Potomac. All five rivers flow from their Appalachian headwaters to the sea. The major rivers in Hawaii are Kaukonahua stream which is 54 km long and Wailuku river which is 45 km long with the largest stream discharge. 

Delaware River  

Kaukonahua stream

Manufacturing: Historically Megalopolis was the birthplace of American manufacturing. The colonial New England economy evolved from the fishery to shipbuilding to water- powered textile mills. However, manufacturing is no longer important in Megalopolis; even though it still maintain being the financial heart of America. In contrast, manufacturing is an important part of Hawaii’s economy. Manufacturers add value to raw products by creating manufactured items. For example, cotton cloth becomes more valuable than a ball of cotton through manufacturing processes. Food processing (refined sugar, canned pineapple) is Hawaii's leading manufacturing activity. Other processed food products are bread, candy, dairy products, juices and soft drinks. Printed materials (mostly newspapers), refined petroleum, stone, clay, glass products and clothing contribute in the manufacturing sector.

TRANSIT CORRIDOR: The Honolulu High Capacity Transit Corridor Project (HHCTCP) is the official name for the plan to construct an elevated rapid transit line serving the City and County of Honolulu on the island of Oahu.  The purpose to construct mass transit lines is to connect Honolulu’s urban center with areas that are faraway.  The line will use 128 ft (39m) trains carrying 390 passengers each, similar in weight to light rail system elsewhere in the U.S. On January 18, 2011, the FTA issued a record of decision, indicating that the HHCTCP has met the requirements of its environmental review and that the city is allowed to begin construction work on the project. A ground-breaking ceremony was held on February 22, 2011 in Kapolei, at the site of the future East Kapolei station along Kualakai Parkway.   

Honolulu Rail Project Groundbreaking Dignitaries

Sources: A regional geography of the United States and Canada 

Blaisdell hails Oahu mass transit project", Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 1966-05-24: A12