Answer to Question 1
Hawaii is connected to the mainland in terms of government and economics. Hawaii is also especially dependent upon tourism. So, it should be included when looking at a study of North America.
Answer to Question 2
Permafrost is a subsurface layer of permanently frozen ground, which could be only a few feet, or it could go all the way to several hundred feet. When this area begins to thaw out, we end up with pools of standing water that is highly susceptible to insects and large numbers of mosquitoes. This area remains a very boggy and shifty area. Construction is very difficult in this area. If you build a house directly on the ground, then the heat that is released from under the house will cause melting of the permafrost. Thus, the construction will begin to sink. If this continues, it will just get deeper and deeper. So it is typical for someone to have to put pilings under a home to combat the permafrost issues.
