We are two days out from reaching our first stop in the Hawaii. This will be our fourth time visiting our 50th state and we’re excited to return. The Hawaii archipelago is made up of 5 major islands, Hawai’i (Big Island), Maui, O’ahu, Kaua’i, and Moloka’i, with an additional 132 islands. We will visit four of the five majors.

Hawaii was originally discovered by explorers from Tahiti, with the first Polynesian settlements around 300 AD. European explorer James Cooke is attributed for putting Hawaii on the map in 1778. Over the next century, American immigration, along with Japanese, Chinese and Pilipino immigrants, ushered in new labor to develop cane and pineapple farming, as well as the beginning of tourism through the Matson White lines, the first official and regular transportation from the mainland to the islands.

Soon the US government began to recognize the strategic importance of the islands and sought a treaty with the rulers of the Kingdom of Hawaii. In 1893, Queen Lili’uokalani was put under house arrest by the oligarchy of the islands, with an assist from the U.S. Marines. The islands were annexed by the US in 1898 and in 1959 became a US State.

Today, with a population of 1,446,000, Hawaii leads the nation in overall well-being, health care, and longevity, consistently ranking #1 for physical health, social/community strength, and low uninsured rates. Due to the Hawaii Prepaid Health Care Act, the state has one of the lowest uninsured rates in the country, at under 4%. Hawaii’s largest industries are Tourism, Military and Agriculture.

We continue to get to know the ship and get into our routine. We continue to run into people from the 2024 World Cruise, which is super fun. Everyone is looking forward to the itinerary and new adventures.

Tomorrow: Sea Day and last day before Honolulu, HI, USA