Menehunes (Little People Of Hawaii)

 
Fact 1:
 
While other cultures claim elves, leprechauns, and fairies, Hawaii boasts its own society of little people. Known as menehunes, these small-statured beings are elusive but hard-working. In ancient days, they often appeared in the night and worked tirelessly to construct temples, fish ponds, and other structures for the benefit of islanders. If humans came upon them, the menehunes would scatter, leaving the project undone. Their work allegedly includes the Ulupo Heiau in Kailua on windward Oahu.
 
Fact 2:
 
Waikiki (which translates as "spurting water") was, in its earliest incarnation, fertile farm land and the domain of island royalty. As a result of Honolulu's rampant development, it has since evolved into Hawaii's most frequented beach destination and one of the country's most populous areas. Its six square miles rank today as one of the nation's most visited locales.
 
Fact 3:
 
Thanks to a curious legal condition, Honolulu is considered to be the world's most extensive city. Hawaii's constitution cedes to the capital city all territory not included in a specific county. As such, much of the far-reaching archipelago (which stretches northwest of Kauai) comes within its realm. In short, that gives Honolulu a range of some 1500 miles.

Fact 4:
 
Robert Frost claimed that "good fences make good neighbors." He might have said the same about abundant water. Resting quietly in the middle of the North Pacific, Hawaii enjoys an isolated location that's almost 2400 miles from its closest populated neighbor, the US mainland. Runners-up include Japan, at almost 4000 miles, and China, at nearly 5000.

Fact 5:
 
Several of Hawaii's main islands, including Maui and Kauai, are known for their resort opportunities and awe-inspiring beauty. They also offer a measure of seclusion and quiet, which stems in part from their relatively low populations. Oahu, in contrast, entertains the bulk of the populace. In fact, about 75% of the state's residents make their home on Oahu, and the majority of them cluster around Honolulu.

Fact 6:

If you're a history buff, you'll be intrigued to visit the burial sites of Hawaii's last monarchs, especially those of Kamehameha II, III, IV, and V and those of David Kalakaua and Likiuokalani. However, you won't find the tomb of Kamehameha I, who united the Hawaiian islands. He was the last ruler to be buried in accordance with ancient religious rites, which insisted on secret interment. If you're intrigued anyway, know that legend places his bones at a site near Kailua.

Fact 7:
 
...And hold the mayo! No, the Sandwich Isles (as the Hawaiian islands were originally known) weren't named after lunchtime fare; they were given the moniker to honor John Montague, the Earl of Sandwich, who served as patron to Captain Cook's Pacific voyages. In a nod to Hawaiian authenticity, the collective name fell out of use by the mid 19th century. And by the way, Montague did invent the sandwich.

Fact 8:

For some inexplicable reason, residents of Hawaii consume more Spam (Hormel's spiced ham in a can) than anyone else. Conservative figures claim that each person eats four cans per year and that 10,000 cans go down the gullet each day. You'll even find it incorporated into sushi rolls and appearing on breakfast menus at local McDonald's franchises.

Fact 9:

Hawaii is so well-known for its myriad attractions and the allure of what it has that visitors don't often consider what it doesn't have. While you'll be thrilled by sensuous beaches, amazing scenery, and a balmy climate, it's almost certain that you'll never miss snakes, poison ivy, rabies, billboards, and (perhaps) seagulls. You'll also never have to deal with the fluctuations of daylight savings time, which isn't observed.

Fact 10:

On the Hawaiian islands, winds sweep the island from east (windward) to west (leeward). Capitalizing on the constant gusts, Oahu maintains the world's largest wind generator, employing it to create electricity for the island. The enormous structure consists of a 20-story upright and 400-foot-long blades.