The Islands, over 4,000, were and are still being formed by a hot spot in the earth's crust.  As the plate under the islands moves, new islands are formed.  Geologists believe that the island of Kauai was formed first.  The big island of Hawaii is still in the process of forming.  Its five volcanos erupt periodically and add more land.  The Kileaua volcano has been erupting continuously 1983.  There is a new island forming under water that will some day emerge from the ocean floor and add another tropical island to the Hawaiian Island chain of islands.

    The islands have extremely fertile soil.  On the windward sides of each island there is plentiful rain that creates a variety of plants.  The leeward sides are often desert like in appearance.