Hawaii

Let’s go surfing now, everyone is learning how – in Hawai’i, that is! For kids who are already old Hawai’ian hands – or for those who don’t know a thing about this chain of 132 volcanic islands but are eager to dive right in – this issue will take them on a wild ride through this state’s rip-roaring geography and culture. First off, they’ll take a tour of Hawai’i’s basic statistics – like the fact that it’s one of the youngest pieces of land on Earth and is home to the world’s highest mountain, measured from seabed to peak. It’s also not done forming yet: Another island, called Loihi, is still in the middle of its fiery growth spurt, and won’t be visible above sea level for another 30,000 years.

Like its constantly changing landscapes, the history of Hawai’i, for kids, is shown to be just as varied and complex. Starting with Polynesians from the Marquesas Islands, who arrived between A.D.100 and A.D. 500, Hawai’i has played host to countless other European and American immigrants and missionaries, who kept the island under their control for 80 years. Cruising along, kids will learn about Hawai’i’s famous dance, the hula – and they even get a set of diagrams showing them how to do it. Other unique features start flooding in, like the ukulele, leis, and the famed tropical-print shirts of Hawai’i; for kids who want to keep the party going, notes on the islands’ many festivals and fêtes, and a string of snaps depicting lively scenes and animals from the main eight islands, will be cause for celebration.