74 Interesting Facts about Hawaii

Hawaii is an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, made up of eight main islands: Hawaii (also known as the “Big Island”), Maui, Oahu, Kauai, Molokai, Lanai, Niihau, and Kahoolawe. The islands are known for their breathtaking natural beauty, including pristine beaches, lush rainforests, and majestic mountains. Hawaii is also home to a rich cultural heritage, shaped by the traditions of the Native Hawaiian people and the diverse communities that have settled there over the centuries.

The islands of Hawaii offer a wide range of activities and attractions for visitors to enjoy. Some of the most popular tourist destinations include Waikiki Beach on Oahu, the Road to Hana on Maui, the Haleakala Crater on Maui, and the Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island. Visitors can also explore historic sites like Pearl Harbor and Iolani Palace, go snorkeling or scuba diving to see the colorful marine life, or simply relax and soak up the sun on one of the many beautiful beaches.

Hawaii’s cuisine is a unique blend of different culinary traditions, influenced by the island’s rich cultural heritage and abundance of fresh local ingredients. Some of the most famous dishes include poke (a raw fish salad), plate lunch (a hearty meal typically consisting of rice, macaroni salad, and a meat or seafood dish), and shave ice (a dessert made with shaved ice and flavored syrups).

Despite its popularity as a tourist destination, Hawaii is also facing a number of environmental and social challenges, including the impact of climate change on the islands’ delicate ecosystems, the ongoing struggle for Native Hawaiian sovereignty, and the high cost of living and housing for many residents. Despite these challenges, Hawaii remains a beloved and iconic destination for visitors from around the world.

Waikiki Beach, Hawaii

If you want to know more about Hawaii, I’m sure that you would be interested to look at these 74 interesting facts about Hawaii.

1. Hawaii is the only US state made up entirely of islands.
2. The Hawaiian Islands were formed by volcanic activity over millions of years.
3. Hawaii is the southernmost state in the US.
4. Hawaii is the only state that grows coffee commercially.
5. Hawaii is the only state that has a royal palace.
6. The official state flower of Hawaii is the yellow hibiscus.
7. Hawaii is home to the world’s largest dormant volcano, Mauna Kea.
8. Hawaii’s official state fish is the humuhumunukunukuapuaa.
9. Hawaii is the only US state with two official languages, English and Hawaiian.
10. The Hawaiian alphabet only has 12 letters.
11. Hawaii is the only state where surfing is a professional sport.
12. Hawaii is the only US state that grows vanilla.
13. Hawaii is the only state where the trade winds blow from east to west.
14. The Hawaiian word for “hello” is “aloha.”
15. The Hawaiian word for “goodbye” is “aloha.”
16. The Hawaiian Islands are located over 2,000 miles away from the nearest continent.
17. Hawaii has a higher percentage of Asian Americans than any other state in the US.
18. The Hawaiian Islands are home to over 10,000 species of plants and animals that are found nowhere else on Earth.
19. Hawaii has the highest life expectancy in the US.
20. Hawaii has the highest percentage of residents with health insurance in the US.
21. The Hawaiian Islands are home to several active volcanoes, including Kilauea and Mauna Loa.
22. Along with Arizona, Hawaii is one of the only two US states that doesn’t observe Daylight Saving Time.
23. Hawaii has the most isolated population center in the world.
24. Hawaii’s state motto is “Ua Mau ke Ea o ka Aina i ka Pono,” which means “The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness.”
25. Hawaii is the only US state that produces cacao, the main ingredient in chocolate.
26. Hawaii is the only US state that has a public school system statewide.
27. The Hawaiian Islands were originally settled by Polynesians who arrived in the islands around 300-500 AD.
28. The Hawaiian Islands were first visited by Europeans in 1778 when Captain James Cook landed on the island of Kauai.
29. Hawaii was an independent kingdom until 1893 when it was overthrown by a group of American businessmen.
30. Hawaii became a US territory in 1898 and a US state in 1959.
31. The Hawaiian Islands have a total land area of 6,423 square miles.
32. Hawaii is the only US state that grows pineapples.
33. The Hawaiian word for pineapple is “halakahiki.”
34. Hawaii is home to several endangered species, including the Hawaiian monk seal, the Hawaiian green sea turtle, and the Hawaiian hoary bat.
35. The Hawaiian Islands are home to several national parks, including Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Haleakala National Park.
36. Hawaii is home to the largest open-air shopping mall in the world, the Ala Moana Center in Honolulu.
37. Hawaii is the only US state that has a royal order of knighthood, the Royal Order of Kamehameha I.
38. Hawaii is the only US state that has a state song written in Hawaiian.
39. Hawaii is home to the oldest school west of the Rocky Mountains, Punahou School.
40. Hawaii’s state gem is the black coral.
41. Hawaii is the only US state that has a royal mausoleum, the Mauna Ala.
42. Hawaii is the only US state that has a state holiday dedicated to a monarch, King Kamehameha Day.
43. Hawaii has the highest percentage of residents who are multiracial in the US.
44. Hawaii has a large military presence, including the Pearl Harbor naval base and several military installations.
45. Hawaii is home to the world’s largest wind farm, the Kaheawa Wind Power facility on Maui.
46. Hawaii is the only US state that has a statewide ban on billboards.
47. Hawaii is the only US state that has a royal feather cloak and helmet, which are on display at the Bishop Museum in Honolulu.
48. Hawaii is home to the largest population of humpback whales in the US.
49. The state mammal of Hawaii is Hawaiian monk seal.
50. The state tree of Hawaii is the kukui tree.
51. Hawaii is home to several famous surf spots, including Pipeline on Oahu and Jaws on Maui.
52. Hawaii has a high cost of living due to its isolation and limited resources.
53. The state insect of Hawaii is the Kamehameha butterfly.
54. The state shell of Hawaii is the Hawaiian seashell.
55. Hawaii is home to several active and inactive military bases, including the Pearl Harbor naval base and the Schofield Barracks army base.
56. The state bird of Hawaii is the nene goose.
57. Hawaii is home to several famous waterfalls, including Akaka Falls and Rainbow Falls on the Big Island.
58. Hawaii is home to the largest observatory in the world, the Keck Observatory on Mauna Kea.
59. Hawaii is the only US state that has a state motto in a language other than English, Hawaiian.
60. Hawaii is home to several famous beaches, including Waikiki Beach on Oahu and Kaanapali Beach on Maui.
61. Hawaii is home to several famous landmarks, including Diamond Head on Oahu and the Na Pali Coast on Kauai.
62. Hawaii is home to the largest Buddhist temple in the western hemisphere, the Byodo-In Temple on Oahu.
63. The state dance of Hawaii is the hula.
64. Hawaii is home to several famous golf courses, including the Plantation Course on Maui and the Princeville Golf Course on Kauai.
65. The state color of Hawaii is Maize and it’s the color of the Hawaiian flag.
66. Hawaii is home to several famous hiking trails, including the Kalalau Trail on Kauai and the Halemau’u Trail on Maui.
67. The state soil of Hawaii is Hilo soil series.
68. Hawaii is home to several famous gardens, including the Waimea Valley Botanical Garden on Oahu and the Kula Botanical Garden on Maui.
69. Hawaii has a state fishpond, the Moli’i Fishpond on Oahu.
70. Hawaii is home to several famous water sports, including paddleboarding, kayaking, and snorkeling.
71. Hawaii has a state song, “Hawai’i Pono’i.”
72. Hawaii is home to the largest collection of Polynesian artifacts in the world, which are housed in the Bishop Museum in Honolulu.
73. Hawaii is home to several famous food dishes, including poke, shaved ice, and plate lunches.
74. Hawaii is home to several famous cultural festivals, including the Merrie Monarch Festival, which celebrates hula and Hawaiian culture.

Hawaii is a unique and fascinating place with a rich culture, diverse ecosystem, and stunning natural beauty. Its history, geography, and people make it a truly special destination, attracting millions of visitors each year from around the world. From the towering volcanoes to the pristine beaches, Hawaii’s landscape is unparalleled, and its mix of Asian, Pacific Islander, and Western cultures create a one-of-a-kind experience that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. It truly is a paradise on earth, and its allure continues to captivate travelers and residents alike.