Originally formed from five volcanoes and the only state to continue to grow (and shrink) due to volcanic activity, the Hawaiian Islands are an ever-changing phenomenon. 'Spectacular Hawai'I' provides an historical account from the first Polynesians to its annexation with the United States in 1959 to its modern developments and economic prosperity in the twenty-first century. Whether you have travelled to the islands or have just dreamed about taking a trip, 'Spectacular Hawai'I' takes you on an expedition through the Paradise of the Pacific. Indulge yourself with 132 pages of inviting tropical landscapes, picturesque white-sand and black lava beaches, and lush island getaways. With over 150 stunning photographs, including 36 pages of foldout panoramas, roughly the size of a 40 television, 'Spectacular Hawai'I' will have you yearning for a vacation to the Aloha State. Covering the big island of Hawai'i, Oahu, Maui, Lanai, Kauai, and Molokai, as well as the islands in the northern region, this is the most complete illustrated book on this remarkable region.From the resorts on Diamond Head to the charming seaside village of Lahaina, from the edge of Molokoni Crater to the expansive landscape of Waimea Canyon, to the USS Arizona Memorial and downtown Honolulu, the book discloses many of the hidden and well-known gems of this magnificent destination. Whether you prefer to bicycle through Mount Waialeal's rainforest, hike down Mauna Kea, windsurf in Paia, snorkel along the coral reefs, or lay in the sunshine on one of Hawaii's gorgeous beaches, 'Spectacular Hawai'i's' large format book gives you a taste of the ultimate experience that is Hawaii. With informative and entertaining text by long time historian Roger Rose, the book includes essays on conservation, volcanology and geology, the multicultural mix of the population, and the perplexity of plants, endemic and imported that together, make these beautiful islands unique.