This week the topic is Hawai'i and the Pacific Islands. Hawai'i and The Pacific Islands make up an archipelago that extends 3600 miles Northwest from Hawai’i to the Aleutian Trench off Alaska's coast. The Hawai'ian archipelago contains 8 inhabited islands, and about 120 uninhabited islands. The eight inhabited islands extend out in a northwestern path, and include the "Big Island" of Hawai'i, Kahoolawe, Maui, Lanai, Molokai, Oahu, Kauai, and Niihau. The Islands formed as a result of a hotspot. This concept will come up again later. The oldest inhabited islands in the chain are Kauai and Niihau which were formed about 5 million years ago. A new island is currently forming about 20 miles off the coast of Hawai'i. However, it is still about 3000 feet under the sea, and will be thousands of years until it breaks the surface. Now that we have a basic understanding of this weeks region, we can move on to comparing Hawai'i and the Pacific Islands with Rehoboth Beach, DE.
For the last time, we will begin by comparing the climates of the two regions. Hawai'i's tropical location gives it a warm and equable climate with few seasonal extremes in temperature. Despite this, temperature and precipitation can vary dramatically with elevation and orientation of topography to the northeast. Rehoboth Beach and the surrounding areas can have variations in precipitation, but it is not as dramatic as the Hawai'ian islands experience. Hawai'i's Climate is largely influenced by trade winds, which are persistent warm winds that blow from east to west in tropical oceans. The trade winds drop large quantities of rain on the north and east coasts of the islands.
Mt. Waialeale, the rainiest place on Earth
For example, the eastern slope of Mount Waialeale on Kauai is the rainiest spot on Earth, and averages 486 inches of rain annually. In contrast, the south and west side of the islands are in the rain shadow. Amazingly, one can drive 20 miles from the wettest place on Earth, and end up in a place that gets only a little more rain than deserts in The Intermontane West region. The oceanic location of the Hawai'ian islands results in little temperature variability among places at the same elevation. Similarly, Rehoboth Beach experiences moderating effects from the Atlantic Ocean. Temperatures in Hawai'i are mild to harm, with little seasonal change throughout the year. For example, Honolulu has an average temperature of 82 degrees Fahrenheit in January, and 88 degrees in July. This is not the case in Rehoboth Beach. Seasonal changes in temperature are the norm in Rehoboth Beach. Overall, the two regions have similarities, but also multiple differences in terms of climate.
The hot spot phenomena is illustrated in this diagram
Hawai'i and the Pacific Islands clearly have obvious differences from Rehoboth Beach. For one, Rehoboth Beach is clearly not an island. Additionally Rehoboth Beach was not formed by a hot spot like the Hawai'ian archipelago was. Next, Hawai'i and the Pacific Islands are not a part of the continental U.S like Rehoboth Beach is. Lastly, volcanoes are a major part of Hawai'i and the Pacific Islands. Volcanoes are erupting constantly and forming additional land masses. Also, a hot spot is constantly leaking lava that is forming future islands that will one day reach the surface and potentially become inhabited. Rehoboth Beach, and the entire state of Delaware, are not worried about volcanoes, or benefiting from any land created by eruptions. This is because there are 0 volcanoes in Delaware. These are some of the obvious major differences between the two places; however, we will see that both regions have similarities as well.
The Hawai'ian Islands and Rehoboth Beach, DE have similarities. One big similarity is that both regions are located along oceans. As a result, beaches are a big part of each region. Additionally, both regions have warm summers that creates the perfect beach weather. The complimentary climate of each region makes both places extremely popular vacation destinations. The Hawai'ian Islands draw vacationers year round unlike Rehoboth Beach, but in the summer months, both places are popular places for a beach getaway. Rehoboth Beach and The Hawai'ian Islands both have economies that are tightly intwined with tourism. It is undeniable that both places are largely dependent on tourism to help drive their economies and bring in money. Tourism is without a doubt a strong similarity that both Rehoboth Beach, DE and The Hawai'ian Islands share.
Check out the above video for a brief history of the "Big Island" of Hawaii, as well as spots to check out if you ever find yourself visiting the island.
Of course we can't talk about The Hawai'ian Islands without at least mentioning the insane waves, and huge surfing scene Hawai'i and the other islands have to offer. Check out the video below for a gnarly wipeout on a big Hawai'ian wave. If you ever find yourself trying your hand at surfing in The Hawai'ian Islands, just remember to stick to what you can handle.
Overall, Rehoboth Beach and The Hawai'ian islands have their share of differences, but the similarities both places share are undeniable. This concludes my Geography 321 Blog. There will be no more "Until Next Time's" If you took the time to read my blog, I sincerely hope you learned something (And weren't too critical of my less than stellar ability to correctly place commas). It has been an enlightening and also grueling journey at times, but alas we have reached the end and I am very proud of my blog.
I'm William Custard
You Stay Classy, Rehoboth Beach.
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