Oahu in Depth - Honolulu, Waikiki and Oahu - page 70

Daylight Saving Time
Since 1966, most of the United States has observed daylight saving time from the first
Sunday in April to the last Sunday in October. In 2007, these dates changed, and now day-
light saving time lasts from 2am on the second Sunday in March to 2am on the first Sunday
in November. Note that Hawaii does not observe daylight saving time. So when daylight
saving time is in effect in most of the U.S., Hawaii is 3 hours behind the West Coast and 6
hours behind the East Coast. When the U.S. reverts to standard time in November, Hawaii is
2 hours behind the West Coast and 5 hours behind the East Coast.
THE LAY OF THE LAND
The first Hawaiian islands were born of violent volcanic eruptions that took place deep be-
neath the ocean's surface about 70 million years ago—more than 200 million years after the
major continental land masses had been formed. As soon as the islands emerged, Mother
Nature's fury began to carve beauty from barren rock. Untiring volcanoes spewed forth
rivers of fire that cooled into stone. Severe tropical storms, some with hurricane-force winds,
battered and blasted the cooling lava rock into a series of shapes. Ferocious earthquakes
flattened, shattered, and reshaped the islands into precipitous valleys, jagged cliffs, and re-
cumbent flatlands. Monstrous surf and gigantic tidal waves rearranged and polished the lands
above and below the reaches of the tide.
It took millions of years for nature to shape the familiar form of Diamond Head on Oahu,
Maui's majestic peak of Haleakala, the waterfalls of Molokai's northern side, the reefs of Hu-
lopoe Bay on Lanai, and the lush rainforests of the Big Island. The result is an island chain
like no other—a tropical dreamscape of a landscape rich in flora and fauna, surrounded by a
vibrant underwater world.
The Flora of the Islands
Hawaii is filled with sweet-smelling flowers, lush vegetation, and exotic plant life. Here's a
brief rundown.
AFRICANTULIPTREES Even from afar, you can see the flaming red flowers on these large trees,
which can grow to be more than 50 feet tall. The buds hold water, and Hawaiian children
use the flowers as water pistols.
ANGEL'S TRUMPETS These small trees can grow up to 20 feet tall, with an abundance of large
(up to 10-in. diameter) pendants—white or pink flowers that resemble, well, trumpets. The
Hawaiians call them nana-honua, which means “earth gazing.” The flowers, which bloom
continually from early spring to late fall, have a musky scent. Warning: All parts of the
plant are poisonous and contain a strong narcotic.
ANTHURIUMS Anthuriums originally came from the tropical Americas and the Caribbean is-
lands. More than 550 species exist, but the most popular are the heart-shaped red, orange,