Here's why:

* Hotspot Volcanoes: The Hawaiian islands are formed by a "hotspot" in the Earth's mantle. This hotspot is a plume of unusually hot magma that rises from deep within the Earth.

* Volcanic Eruptions: As this magma reaches the ocean floor, it erupts, creating underwater volcanoes. Over millions of years, these volcanoes grow taller and eventually break the surface of the water, forming islands.

* Plate Movement: The Pacific Plate moves slowly over this hotspot, resulting in a chain of islands. The oldest island, Kauai, is furthest from the hotspot, while the youngest, Hawaii, is directly over it.

While earthquakes are common in volcanic areas, they are not the primary force behind the formation of the Hawaiian islands. Earthquakes are more likely to occur due to the movement of tectonic plates, which can cause the volcanic islands to shift and break apart over time.