Hawaii is an archipelago lying in the Pacific, most likely famous (and infamous) for its geography, which includes considerably remarkable beaches, flora and fauna, and volcanic activity. Hawaii was the 50th state to be admitted into the United States union on August 21, 1959.

Before British explorer James Cook came into contact with the peoples of Hawaii in 1778, the native peoples (most likely Polynesian in descent) thrived on the island, arriving as early as the 4th century. The natives adopted a system of chiefdoms, similar to feudalistic relationships, with somewhat frequent skirmishes.

James Cook visited the island twice. His first venture into the islands was to map out the region and write about his surroundings with the intension of having a second visit. His second arrival wasn't a peaceful one: Cook attempted to hold a major chief ransom, only to be overthrown and killed by other natives. Not too long after Cook's visits, trade and hunters began to flock the island, and brought European diseases along with them. In 1820, the Americans arrived, set up missionaries, and successfully converted most of the remaining natives to Protestant Christianity.