1999 Ka Palapala Po`okela Awards for Excellence in Non-fiction, Hawaiian Culture, Production, and Design.

Geology, climate, the ocean, water, soils, and astronomy are among the topics discussed in "The Physical Environment." Next the special character of terrestrial and marine ecosystems is described in "The Biotic Environment." "The Cultural Environment" considers the people of Hawai`i. The diversity of the state's cultures is treated in chapters on history and languages as well as archaeology, religion, and the arts. "The Social Environment" treats such elements as the economy, government, and tourism. The sixth and final section comprises a statistical supplement, bibliography, and gazetteer for the reference maps. Readers of this new edition will find much new information, including topics (e.g., paleoclimate, threats to native ecosystems, Hawaiian sovereignty) not discussed in previous editions.

• Provides identifying, location, and conservation information on frequently spotted animals.
• Gives up-to-date information on the ecology, behavior, and conservation of the families of animals to which the pictured species belong.
• Contains information on Hawaiian habitats and on the most common plants you will see, and on the underwater animals most divers and snorklers actually see.
• Gives brief descriptions of the state's national parks and nature reserves.