History
The major Hawaiian Islands were formed and created within the past 5 million years by the irregular outflowing of lava from the floor of the Pacific Ocean. The Big Island, Hawai'i, which was formed by 5 volcanoes, sits right on the middle of the Pacific plate. The Hawaiian islands are actually the exposed peaks of an undersea mountain range known as the Hawaiian Emperor Seamount Chain. The 5 volcanoes that created Hawai'i are all active except for two. The three active volcanoes are called Hualālai, Mauna Loa, and Kīlauea, which are the main attraction at the National Park. The first discoverers of Hawai'i have been believed to come from the Marquesas Islands at about 500 A.D.