The Hawaiian Islands -- the 50th U.S. state -- is a chain of 19 islands and atolls that stretch across an expanse of 1,500 miles in the North Pacific Ocean. It is one of the most remote landmasses on earth. First settled by Polynesians in about AD 1000, Hawaii has, through the years, seen a number of political incarnations: ruled by waring clans, then by a monarch, then by a provisional government, then as a republic, then as an annexed U.S. territory, and lastly as a U.S. state. Through it all, it has retained a certain character and uniqueness that is distinctly Hawai'ian.

My visit was to O'ahu, one of the eight "main" islands (the others being Hawai'i [also called The Big Island], Kaho'olawe, Kaua'i, Maui, Lana'i, Moloka'i, and Ni'ihau).

A view of Waikiki Beach.