Hawaii (Chapter 17)

It is interesting to note that the Antelope Valley is home to a significant population of Native Hawaiians, as shown in the charts below. In particular, Palmdale has a higher percentage of Native Hawaiians than the California average as well as the United States average; also, while Lancaster has a smaller percentage of Native Hawaiians than Palmdale, it still has a higher percentage than the national average.

(Sources: http://www.areavibes.com/palmdale-ca/demographics/, http://www.areavibes.com/lancaster-ca/demographics/)

It is possibly the result of this significant population of Native Hawaiians in the Antelope Valley that has led to the establishment of a Native Hawaiian dance studio in Lancaster, called HULA From the Heart, which opened in 2011. As the studio's website states:

HULA From the Heart is a traditional Hawaiian dance studio featuring the dances of the Hawaiian Islands. Our studio targets children and adults in the Antelope Valley. Anyone who has the desire to learn, share, and be challenged is welcome. Our goal is to help perpetuate the rich culture of Hawaii.

Below are pictures of some of their dance performances:

 


(Source: http://www.hulafromtheheart.com/about-us/)

Finally, Hawaii is renowned for its unique flora and fauna, as well as its ongoing conservation efforts to preserve its native species for future generations. Similarly, the Antelope Valley also has aspects of a distinctive biogeography. In particular, the AV's indigenous Joshua Trees are found only in two areas of the world: the Mojave Desert (which the AV is a part of) and Israel. Thus, these plants have become an iconic symbol for the Antelope Valley, and that is why I chose them for the background of this blog. The Antelope Valley is continuing to try to preserve its natural environment as well; an example of this is the Prime Desert Woodland Preserve in Lancaster, shown below:

(Source: http://www.cityoflancasterca.org/Index.aspx?page=764)