According to collegetoppicks, Hawaii County, also known as the Big Island, is the largest and most geologically diverse of the Hawaiian Islands. It is home to Mauna Loa, one of the world’s largest volcanoes and Kilauea, an active volcano that has been erupting since 1983. Hawaii County was formed in 1905 when it was split off from the larger island of Hawaii. The history of Hawaii County dates back to ancient times when Polynesian settlers arrived on its shores in canoes. These early inhabitants established villages and practiced subsistence farming, fishing and hunting. By 1778, British explorer James Cook had visited the island and named it “The Sandwich Islands” after the Earl of Sandwich. In 1810, King Kamehameha I united all the islands under his rule and established a kingdom that lasted until 1893 when Queen Liliuokalani was overthrown in a coup d’etat backed by US forces. In 1898, Hawaii became a US territory but it wasn’t until 1959 that it became a state. Hawaii County has played an important role throughout its history as an agricultural center for sugar cane production as well as coffee cultivation. In recent years, tourism has become increasingly important to its economy with visitors flocking to its beaches, resorts and natural attractions such as Volcanoes National Park. The county also boasts some of the world’s most famous surfing spots such as Pipeline Beach on Oahu’s North Shore. Today, Hawaii County is home to over 200,000 people who enjoy a rich culture that combines both traditional Hawaiian values with modern influences from around the world. Its unique landscape makes it a popular destination for travelers looking for adventure while its warm climate provides ideal conditions for outdoor activities year round. Hawaii County is a large and diverse district, with over 43,000 students spread across its five public school districts. The largest of these is the Kona-Kohala district, which serves over 28,000 students in grades K-12. This district features 15 elementary schools, four middle schools, and four high schools. The Kona-Kohala district has a strong emphasis on academic excellence and offers an array of extracurricular activities as well as advanced placement courses. It also boasts an award-winning music program and an excellent athletics program that includes basketball, volleyball, soccer, cross country running, swimming and track & field. In addition to the Kona-Kohala district, Hawaii County also features the Puna District which serves approximately 8,000 students in grades 7-12. This district is known for its unique educational initiatives such as its “Project Based Learning” program which encourages students to develop real world problem solving skills through hands on activities. The Puna District also offers Advanced Placement courses as well as a variety of extracurricular activities such as robotics clubs and science fairs. Finally, the Puna District is home to one of the state’s most successful sports programs with teams competing in football, basketball and soccer at all levels from junior high to varsity. Check topschoolsoflaw.com for brief history of the state of Hawaii.