The Hawaiian Islands, as we see them today, were never physically connected to each other or to any mainland. However, their origins are tied to a geological process known as hotspot volcanism. The Hawaiian Islands are the result of volcanic activity arising from a hotspot beneath the Pacific Plate.
Over millions of years, as the Pacific Plate moved over this stationary hotspot, magma surged through the Earth’s crust, creating volcanic islands. Each island formed sequentially and, once the volcanic activity subsided, became isolated in the vast Pacific Ocean.
At no point did the islands connect through a land bridge, as might occur in other regions where geological activity creates temporary land connections. The isolation of these islands has resulted in unique ecosystems and species, making Hawaii a fascinating example of natural evolution.