50 Interesting & Fun Facts About Hawaii State to Know

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Millions of people visit Hawaii every year to see the tall volcanoes and the various beautiful landscapes. Each of the major islands that make up the state of Hawaii has something unique to offer visitors.

And there are some really interesting and fun facts about Hawaii state to know, like that it has haunted places and people on the islands, like the Night Marchers.

This article covers 50 facts ranging from Hawaii's history to the culture of Hawaii and more. Below, you will even find some scary, weird, and cool facts about Hawaii that you might not have known. Keep reading to learn more!

50 Hawaii State Facts

Hawaii Fun Facts

First up are fun facts on Hawaii.

The only royal palace in the United States is in Hawaii

Iolani Palace is the only royal building in the US. It was constructed in the 19th century before Hawaii became a state and was lived in by the Hawaiian royal family until 1893.

Hawaii's chain of islands is the longest in the world

From the west to the east, Hawaii is 1,523 miles long, making Hawaii the longest island chain in the world. This distance spans from the Kure Atoll to the Big Island. There are over 100 islands in the chain, but only seven of them are populated.

Oahu's North Shore is a highly popular surfing destination

A fun fact about Oahu is that it's a world-renowned surfing spot. The North Shore of Oahu has more than seven miles of beaches and Pacific Ocean waves that attract the world's best surfers.

Some of the world's most competitive surfing competitions are held here. The biggest waves are usually in the winter, and they can reach up to 30 feet high.

Hawaii has a ban on plastic bags

It was the first state to implement this ban. Businesses are banned from having plastic bags at checkout, even those which are compostable or reusable plastic.

Reusable plastic bags are only allowed if they are thicker than ten mils. The only bags that are permitted are reusable fabric or cloth bags and reusable and recyclable paper bags.

Hawaii does not follow daylight savings time

Hawaii does not change its clocks twice a year as most of the country does. It is the only state that does not use daylight savings time. The state last observed daylight savings in 1945.

Hawaiian Standard Time is Hawaii's own time zone

The state follows Hawaiian Standard Time, which is ten hours behind Coordinated Universal Time. Since Hawaii does not observe Daylight Savings Time, they are in the same time zone all year. There are some islands in Alaska that follow Hawaiian Standard Time in the winter, but otherwise, it is just Hawaii.

The peak of Mauna Kea is the highest point in Hawaii

Mauna Kea stands at 13,756 feet above sea level, with a total of 33,000 feet from its base underground, making the mountain's peak the highest peak in Hawaii.

Mauna Kea is one of the most recognizable spots on the Big Island. It is very important to native Hawaiians as it is the home and meeting place of many Hawaiian deities and ancestors.

Gambling is illegal in Hawaii

There are two states in the US where gambling is illegal: Hawaii and Utah. Many Hawaiians frequent Las Vegas when they want to gamble.

However, some lawmakers are pushing to legalize online sports betting in Hawaii. The state can tax online sports betting quite highly and use the funds for social programs.

Millions of tourists visit Hawaii every year

In 2021, more than six and a half million people visited Hawaii. All of these tourists arrived by air travel due to the entry of cruise ships ceasing because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

These visitors spent over 13 billion dollars during their time in Hawaii, which was slightly less than the pre-pandemic high of just under 18 billion dollars in 2019. The number of visitors in 2019 was also higher, with over 10.2 million staying on the island for at least one night.

Honolulu is the state capital of Hawaii

Honolulu is the capital of Hawaii and is located on the island of Oahu. More than 350,000 people live in the capital, and its population is more than one-third of the population on the island of Oahu and almost one-quarter of the state's entire population.

The city is a world-renowned tourist destination and a popular tourist base due to the many famous Honolulu landmarks located there. Many of the famous landmarks are in the neighborhood of Waikiki.

Hawaii has eight major islands

The eight Hawaiian islands are Hawai'i Island, Maui Island, Oahu Island, Kauai Island, Moloka'i Island, Lanai Island, Niihau Island, and Kahoolawe Island. Hawai'i Island is also called the Big Island, as it is the largest island in land mass.

All eight major islands attract visitors from all around the world thanks to their natural beauty. For example, an interesting fact about Kaui Island is that it's home to the "The Grand Canyon of the Pacific," Waimea Canyon.

Interesting Facts About Hawaii

Next up are some interesting Hawaii state facts.

More than 8% of energy in Hawaii comes from wind power

There are nine wind project areas in the state that account for about 8.1% of Hawai''s energy. They are limited to the places where the turbines do not pose a risk to birds, specifically endangered species. The wind power sites are on three islands, Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island.

Hawaii grows in size every year from the volcanic eruption of the Kilauea Volcano

As the volcano erupts, the lava flows down the volcano and builds up at the end of the islands. Since it first erupted in 1983, more than 570 acres of land have been added to Hawaii. But more than 40 square miles of existing land have already been destroyed.

The Aloha State is Hawaii's official state nickname

The nickname "The Aloha State" became the official Hawaii nickname in 1959. This is the same year Hawaii became a state, meaning it has always been its nickname.

"Aloha" is a well-known Hawaiian greeting, which means both "hello" and "goodbye." The word also signifies Hawaiian culture and lifestyle and living in harmony with everything around you.

Honolulu saw record-breaking temperatures in 2019

Between June and August 2019, Hawaii saw its highest recorded temperature ever on multiple islands, with the most record-breaking days in Honolulu.

The record in Honolulu was 95 degrees Fahrenheit on August 31st, and there were 44 other days over the summer with record temperatures.

A fun fact about Honolulu is that it typically sees 90 rainy days a year, so this scorching weather is somewhat in contrast to the usual weather in Honolulu.

Iolani Palace was home to King Kalakaua and his family

This famous landmark was the head of the Hawaiian government during King Kalakaua's rule and later his sister Queen Liliuokalani's rule.

Iolani Palace remained their home until Queen Liliuokalani was overthrown. It also served as the Hawaiian State Capitol Building before being replaced with the new Capitol Building, which sits behind Iolani Palace.

The highest temperature in Hawaii was recorded at 100 degrees Fahrenheit

Hawaii's hottest temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit was recorded in Pahala on the Big Island. It was recorded on April 27th, 1931, and remains the state's highest temperature.

The Hawaiian population is almost one and a half million people

As of 2022, approximately 1,440,196 people live in Hawaii. Oahu is the most populated island, where more than half the population lives. Oahu is significantly more populated than the Big Island, which has 202,906 people (as of 2021).

A fun fact relating to Maui is that it has the state's third-largest population of just under 165,000 people (as of 2021). Kauai has 73,454 residents (as of 2021), and the other islands have less than 10,000 people each or are unpopulated.

The oldest Catholic cathedral in continuous use is in Hawaii

Opened in 1843, the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Honolulu is the state's oldest Catholic church. It's also the oldest Catholic cathedral in continuous use in the United States.

The cathedral was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. The bell in the cathedral's tower is also the oldest in the state, dating back to 1917.

Hawaii is home to an endangered species, the Hawaiian monk seal

The Hawaiian monk seal is one of the most endangered in the world. The number of seals is down to one-third of its historic levels, with around 15,000 remaining.

However, the population has grown since 2013, thanks to recovery efforts. The seals are only found in Hawaii, with a majority on the northwestern islands and the remainder on the main islands.

Hawaii has the most isolated population on earth

The closest point to Hawaii in the continental United States is in California, and even that is 2,390 miles away from Hawaii. West of Hawaii, Japan is 3,850 miles away, and China is 4,900 miles away, making it the most isolated population center in the world.

Facts About Hawaii Culture

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Below, you will find some interesting Hawaii facts about its culture.

Hawaii is a diverse state

There are many different races of people that live in Hawaii as of the 2022 Census. The most prominent races are Asians, who make up 36% of the population, and whites, who make up 25.3%. Another 25% are two or more races, 11.1% are Hispanic or Latino, and 10.5% are native Hawaiians.

There are approximately 355,000 Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders in Hawaii

There are approximately 1.4 million Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders living in the United States, with 355,000 living in Hawaii. This amount is only half a percent of the total population of Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders worldwide, with a total global population of 1.4 million. However, Hawaii does have the biggest population in one location.

The eight main islands all have an official flower

Each island has its own flower, and each is also designated in a certain color, similar to the state flower. Niihau's official flower is not a flower but a pupu shell. It is a white shell that can only be found on the island. They are rare and expensive, commonly found on extravagant lei.

The official flower of Hawaii is the yellow hibiscus

The yellow hibiscus, or Pua Aloalo flower, is native to Hawaii. The flower was designated as the official state flower in 1988. It comes in other colors, but only the yellow variety is the official one.

The modern Hawaiian alphabet only has 13 letters

Five letters of the 13 letters in the Hawaiian alphabet are vowels, the same as in the English language. The other eight letters are H, K, L, M, N, P, and W, all of which you will see repeated often within the Hawaiian language. The "ʻokina" is included as the final consonant.

Aloha is more than a word Hawaiians use to say hi and bye

Aloha can mean both "hi" and "bye," but it also has a deeper meaning. Aloha is the word Hawaiians use for love and respect that they share for each other and the people they care for. It can be used in many different ways and contexts, but it always has a positive connotation.

There are two official languages in Hawaii

The two official languages of Hawaii are Hawaiian and English. It is the only state to have two official languages. Even though both languages are used in most government settings, there are some official situations in which Hawaiian is used over English. Some laws require Hawaiian to be used for some public acts and transactions.

Ancient Hawaiians enjoyed surfing

Ancient Hawaiians are known to have surfed and initially called surfing "he'e nalu" or "wave sliding" in English. They created different boards of different lengths. The longest surfboards were for royalty, ranging between 14 and 16 feet long. The surfboards for commoners were shorter at 10 to 12 feet long.

Facts About Hawaii History

There are also a lot of historical facts about Hawaii, both before and after it became a US state.

European explorer Captain James Cook discovered Hawaii

Captain Cook arrived on the islands on January 18th, 1778. The Hawaiians welcomed Cook and his crew, and they traded metal with the locals in exchange for time on the land.

Cook and his people frequented the islands and lived there for some time. Their time on the islands continued until many died in a Hawaiian mob when they realized the sailors were not Gods.

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King Kamehameha I was the leader of the Hawaiian islands in the late 18th century

Kamehameha became the leader of Hawaii in 1795. He remained King of the Hawaiian Islands until he died in 1819. He spent his time as a leader, uniting the islands as one and bringing a unified Hawaiian culture among them. And he was the leader when James Cook and his crew arrived on the islands.

Hawaii was annexed by the US at the end of the 19th century

In 1898, the United States, under President William McKinley, officially annexed Hawaii during the Spanish-American War as a way to expand the country. Over 60 years late, in 1959, Hawaii became a US state.

Hawaii is the most recent state to join the US

Hawaii became the 50th state on August 21st, 1959. The people who lived in Hawaii pushed to become a state for more than half a century before it finally succeeded.

The push for statehood was difficult because of Pearl Harbor. But even once they succeeded, some Native Hawaiians did not want to be a part of the United States.

Pearl Harbor was a significant site during World War II

Pearl Harbor was attacked on December 7th, 1941 by Japan, which was fighting against the US and the Allied powers. Today, Pearl Harbor is an active military base and a memorial for those who died in the attack. The Oahu landmark is also the most visited site on the island.

Cool Facts About Hawaii

Hawaii is a unique state, and these cool Hawaiian facts prove it.

Hawaii has a black sand beach called Waianapanapa Beach

Located in Hana, this Maui landmark gets its black sand color from the volcanoes in the area, which erupt and change the geography of the surrounding area. The beach is hidden, surrounded by rocky coastlines, and adjacent to the bright blue water.

Hawaii is one of the only states in the US that grow coffee commercially

Coffee is the second biggest crop in Hawaii, and there are more than 10,000 acres where it is grown. Hawaii grows just over one hundred million dollars worth of unroasted coffee each year. But the value increases by nearly 50% when the coffee is roasted.

Hawaii's flag is a combination of two country's flags

Interestingly, Hawaii's state flag features the flags of two countries. In the upper lefthand corner of Hawaii's flag is the United Kingdom's flag.

The rest of the flag is a variation on the United States flag with stripes. There are eight white, red, and blue stripes, each representing one of Hawaii's main islands.

The Dole Plantation has over one million visitors every year

The Dole pineapple plantation that welcomes one million visitors annually was founded in 1922. It is the largest in the world, with more than 20,000 acres.

More than five million cans of fruit and juice are produced daily at the plantation, along with other treats like DoleWhip. It is also home to the largest pineapple maze in the world, which is an iconic Hawaii landmark.

Facts About Hawaii Volcanoes

With so many in the state, there is plenty of information about Hawaii's volcanoes.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has two of the most active volcanoes

The state's two most active volcanoes, Kilauea and Mauna Loa, are both in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The park was created to protect them and many more. The park is as high as 13,681 feet above sea level. The park is a World Heritage Site.

Hawaii is made up of volcanic islands

There is a tectonic plate under the islands, whose activity created the islands. The hot spot causes volcanoes to erupt. They erupt in the pattern of the tectonic plate, which is why they are in a line. When the lava from the volcanos dries, it creates land. The land builds up over time, which makes the islands.

The largest dormant volcano is Hawaii's Mount Haleakala

Mount Haleakala is the state's largest dormant volcano. It sits at 10,023 feet above sea level, and its home is a 30,000-acre national park of the same name.

The name Haleakala means "house of the sun." The name comes from the legend that Maui, a demigod, brought the sun closer to earth while standing on the volcano.

Hawaii's Mauna Loa is an active volcano and is the world's largest

The world's largest volcano sits 13,100 feet above sea level. It has another 42,600 feet below sea level and underground, a total height of 55,700 feet from base to peak. The volcano covers half of the Island of Hawaii, where it is located. It has erupted 33 times since 1843, and it last erupted in March and April of 1984.

Weird Facts About Hawaii

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There are also some weird facts about Hawaii that many people don't know.

You can mail a coconut from Hawaii

The USPS sends more than 3,000 coconuts from Hawaii every year and they get sent all over the world. To mail one, you just need to pay the postage and put the recipient's address directly on the coconut. The heavier the coconut, the more it costs to send it. The average cost is between $12-20.

The official state gem is black coral

The state gem of black coral is called a polyp, and it is a living creature. Even though they are called black coral, they come in many colors.

The coral is an Endangered Species since it is often harvested. It is difficult to gather as it grows deep in the sea, usually between 300 and 3,000 feet below sea level.

Billboards are not allowed in Hawaii

Hawaii's government does not allow billboards or other signs for advertising in the state. There are some exceptions, like public announcements, the sale of land and buildings, or other government notices. One of the main reasons for the outlawing of billboards is to protect Hawaii's natural beauty.

Snakes are illegal in Hawaii

Snakes are not native to the state, and they do not have any predators in Hawaii to keep them from overpopulation. Furthermore, they take over the food and habitats of the animals native to Hawaii, which endangers them. Most snakes are banned on the islands, and if any are found, they are under the strict watch of the government.

Scary Facts About Hawaii

Finally, here are some scary, fun Hawaii facts.

The Pali Highway in Hawaii is haunted

There are many stories and ghost sightings related to the Pali Highway. Many of the ghosts come from when King Kamehameha tried to unify the islands, and many of his men were pushed over a bridge onto the highway.

Some of the demigods also have a history on the road. For example, Kamapua'a will not let you take pork across the highway.

The Hawaiian Night Marchers are deadly ghosts that live on the islands

These ghosts supposedly roam the islands at night. The legend of the marchers says that if you encounter the ghosts at night and look at them, you will die.

To avoid this, you must lie on the ground and pretend to be dead until they pass. They are spirits of the old chiefs and warriors who aim to protect the islands.

Hawaii has the second most shark attacks in the US

Since 1837, when shark attacks started to be recorded, there have been 182 shark attacks in Hawaii. The number of Hawaiian shark attacks is significantly lower than in Florida, which is the highest state with 896 attacks. A majority of these attacks are non-fatal.

Hawaiians get a vog or volcanic smog report

Vog affects the air quality in Hawaii, and it can be better or worse depending on volcanic activity. If the weather or wind conditions are right, vog can get very bad and be dangerous to people on the islands. Vog can cause headaches, difficulty breathing, and a sore throat.

Conclusion

There are many facts about the state of Hawaii, and you most likely have not heard of many of them before - like that, you can head to the post office and mail a coconut back home. How neat!

Hopefully, this list helped you get more curious about Hawaii and its history. You will for sure be ready for any future Hawaii trivia you might be asked about!

This article was edited by Henry Grahame.

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