When you say “aloha,” your mouth just forms a smile. This Hawaiian word means many things. Hawaiians use it to say hello – and goodbye.
Literally, it means love, affection, or kindness. Traditionally, saying “aloha” to someone meant you saw the good in that person.
Hawaiians say “aloha” to all visitors. Nine million tourists go to the state each year. People like its warmth and tropical beauty. They play on sandy beaches and soak up the aloha spirit.
An archipelago (ar-ki-PEL-i-go) is a chain of islands. The Hawaiian archipelago crosses about 1,500 miles of the Pacific Ocean. It is farther away from a continent than any other place on Earth where people live. The chain has 132 islands, reefs, and shoals. Eight major islands make up the state of Hawai`i. They form a curve less than 400 miles long. How did they form? Who first settled there? What is each island like? Put on a Hawaiian aloha shirt and imagine there’s a sweet-smelling lei around your neck. It is time for a tour of the Aloha State!
