Here's why:

* Hotspots are areas of volcanic activity caused by plumes of unusually hot mantle material rising from deep within the Earth.

* Plate boundaries are where tectonic plates interact, causing earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountain building.

The Hawaiian Islands were created as the Pacific Plate moved over the stationary Hawaiian hotspot. As the plate moved, the hotspot continued to erupt, creating a chain of volcanoes. The oldest islands are located furthest from the hotspot, while the youngest islands are closest.