This informative post will be published on Saturday in place of my regular one.  You are invited to participate with the opening question.

Brain Teaser Question

All five sisters are busy.  Ann is reading a book.  Rose is cooking, Katy is playing chess, and Mary is doing the laundry.  What is the fifth sister doing?

(answer found at the end of this post)

Featured Facts

America’s 50th state of Hawaii was admitted to the union on August 21, 1959.  The Aloha State has many distinctive features that sets it apart from the continental United States.

Here are some interesting facts about Hawaii:

• State capital:  Honolulu
• State bird:  Nene (Hawaiian goose)
• State flower:  Hibiscus
• Motto:  Va Mau Ke Ea O Ka Aina I Ka Pono (The Lie of the Land is Perpetuated in Righteousness)

Hawaii is made up of eight major islands:  Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe, and Hawaii.  It is the only American state composed entirely of islands.  Each island has a nickname:

• Niihau:  The Forbidden Isle (population of only about 200 people)
• Kauai:  The Garden Isle (consists of lush foliage, valleys, and jungles)
• Oahu:  The Gathering Place (most populated island, home to Honolulu)
• Maui:  The Valley Isle (second largest island, divided by two mountain ranges)
• Molokai:  The Enlightening Isle (largest percentage of native Hawaiians)
• Lanai:  The Pineapple Isle (once produced nearly 75 percent of the world’s pineapples)
• Kahoolawe:  The Target Isle (smallest island, used by U.S. military during World War II)
• Hawaii:  The Big Island (largest island, contains five volcanoes)

Hawaii features a very diverse population.  There is no majority racial group.  The Hawaiian alphabet consists of 13 letters:  A, E, I, O, U, H, K, L, M, N, P, W, and ‘ (the okina).

Here’s a quick island hop around to other destinations of the Hawaiian Islands:

Oahu:  Home to the U.S. Navy at Pearl Harbor

Hawaii:  Features the tallest mountain on the islands, Mauna Kea.  This inactive volcano is considered the most sacred in Hawaiian culture.  It also provides a home for the world’s largest astronomical observatory.

Kauai:  One of the wettest locations in the world.  Mount Waialeale receives annual rainfall of 460 inches (nearly 11,700 millimeters).

starting left and clockwise: uss arizona memorial at pearl harbor, rainforest on kauai, royal palace on oahu, snow-capped summit of mauna kea.  (photographs courtesy of pinterest.)

Answer to Brain Teaser Question

She’s playing chess with Katy, of course!