We thank the editors and reviewers of Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems for guiding to publication many of the contributions from Leg 197 scientific results, under the theme "Movement, Dynamics, and Geochemical Evolution of the Hawaiian Hot Spot." This synthesis benefited from reviews by M.F. Coffin and P. Molnar. Our participation in Leg 197 and this synthesis were supported by the U.S. Science Support Program. This research used samples and/or data provided by the Ocean Drilling Program (ODP). ODP is sponsored by the U.S. National Science Foundation and participating countries under management of Joint Oceanographic Institutions (JOI), Inc.