Hawaii (HI) is the only all-island state in the USA, known for its Waikiki beaches, tropical scenery and several volcanoes. A tragic day in the islands’ history was Sunday, December 7, 1941, when the Japanese attacked the islands with approximately 353 planes without warning. The main attractions in Hawaii are Pearl Harbor, the Mauna Kea volcano, and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The capital and largest city in Hawaii is Honolulu.
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Table of Contents
Quick Facts
Name Hawaii Abbreviation HI Capital Honolulu Largest city Honolulu (Population: 350 964) Current time 4:31 Time zone HAST (UTC-10), the state does not observe daylight saving time Population 1,455,274 (#40 most populous US state) Area 10,931 mi² (#43 largest US state) Admitted to the Union August 21, 1959 (#50 state to join) ⭐ Capital of Hawaii
The capital of the state of Hawaii is Honolulu, which was not officially incorporated as a city until April 30, 1907. The name Honolulu comes from the Hawaiian language and translates to “sheltered harbor” or “protected harbor”; it became the capital on August 21, 1959, when Hawaii entered the Union. Prior to that, however, Honolulu was the capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii, the Republic of Hawaii, and the Territory of Hawaii.
🏙️ Largest City in Hawaii
The largest city in Hawaii is Honolulu with a population of 350,964. The second largest city in the state is East Honolulu with a population of 50,922 and the third largest city in the island state is Pearl City with a population of 45,295.
🕒 Time in Hawaii
The current time in Honolulu, Hawaii is [timezone=”Pacific/Honolulu” format=”G:i”]. All islands recognize Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time (HAST, UTC-10), with the caveat that Hawaii does not convert to daylight saving time, unlike most US states.
🧑🤝🧑 Population of Hawaii
According to 2023 data, Hawaii had a population of 1,455,274, making the archipelago the 40th most populous US state.
📍 Area of Hawaii
The total area of the state of Hawaii is 10,931 mi², of which 6,424 mi² is land and 4,507 mi² is water. Hawaii is the 43rd largest state in the USA.
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Fun Facts About Hawaii
🧩 Hawaii Neighboring States
Hawaii is the only American state that does not have a neighbor. The state recognizes 137 volcanic islands and uninhabited reefs that are completely surrounded by the Pacific Ocean.
📅 Date of Hawaii Statehood
Hawaii entered the Union on August 21, 1959 as the 50th and final state to emerge from the original Territory of Hawaii.
📛 Nickname of the State of Hawaii
The official nickname of the state of Hawaii is “The Aloha State”. The nickname is based on the Hawaiian word “Aloha”, which is used as a greeting, but its meaning is much deeper. Aloha is used in Hawaiian to express love, affection, peace, mercy or compassion.
⛰️ Highest Mountain in Hawaii
Hawaiʻs highest mountain is Mauna Kea, a volcano on the island of Hawaiʻi with a peak at 13,803 ft.
🏞️ Rivers in Hawaiʻi
The longest river in Hawaiʻi the Wailuku River has a total length of 28 mi. This is followed by the South Fork Kaukonahua Stream (18 mi), North Fork Kaukonahua Stream (16 mi), Hanalei River (16 mi), and Kolekole Stream (12 mi).
🎓 Universities in Hawaii
The largest university in Hawaii is the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, which was founded in 1907 in the capital city of Honolulu. It is attended by approximately 18,000 students.
✉️ Hawaii ZIP Codes
Hawaii has dedicated ranges 967xx and 968xx, for a map of the areas see the article ZIP Codes in the USA. You can look up the zip code for a specific address on the USPS website.
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Weather in Hawaii
The best time to visit Hawaii is late spring and early fall, when it rains less and temperatures stay in the comfortable range. Unlike the peak season, during the winter months, tourist attractions and beaches are less crowded and accommodation prices tend to be lower.
The rainy season in Hawaii lasts from March to May, with temperatures in Honolulu typically ranging between 75°F and 82°F. Rain showers are very common, especially on the windward sides of the islands. Spring is a good time to visit the beaches and blooming nature.
Summer in Hawaii brings higher humidity and temperatures between 73°F and 90°F. Between June and early September, there is less rain than in spring, and the ocean is warm and therefore suitable for swimming. Storms or hurricanes are rather rare.
Autumn in Hawaii means a very slight cooling to 73°F to 84°F, but from October onwards the number of rainy days increases. The rainiest autumn month is November.
Winters in Hawaii are very warm, with temperatures in Honolulu typically ranging between 66°F and 81°F. Rainfall is the highest of the year, with the heaviest rainfall on the north and east sides of the islands. Between December and March, waves are at their highest on the north coast of Hawaii, creating the best surfing conditions.
🌡️ Average Temperatures and Precipitation in Hawaii
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Things to Do in Hawaii
1️⃣ USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor
The USS Arizona Memorial comm emorates the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor that brought the United States into World War II. It is located on Oahu near the capital city of Honolulu. The memorial is one of the largest attractions in all of Hawaii, located above the sunken USS Arizona.
Along with it, you can also visit the museum and visitor’s center where you can learn detailed information about one of the most terrifying days in American history.
2️⃣ Haleakalā National Park
Haleakalā National Park is located on the island of Maui, its biggest attraction is the Haleakalā volcano with its peak at an altitude of 10,023 ft. One of the greatest experiences when visiting the park is the sunrise seen from the top of the volcano. There are several hiking trails through the park from which you can watch the volcanic craters and enjoy the view of the landscape.
🗺️ Maui, Hawaii
3️⃣ Waikiki Beach
Waikiki Beach in Honolulu on the island of Oahu is one of the most famous beaches in the world. The most popular water sport is surfing, for which the conditions are perfect for beginners. Luxury hotels and restaurants surround the white-sand beach, and views of the extinct Diamond Head volcano complete the panorama.
4️⃣ Mauna Kea
With a peak elevation of 13,803 ft, Mauna Kea is the highest mountain in Hawaii. On top of the volcano lies the famous Mauna Kea Observatories, from which the stars can be viewed with professional telescopes. The conditions for space viewing on Mauna Kea are considered to be among the best in the world. The hike to the top of the volcano is quite challenging, but you will be rewarded with beautiful views of the surrounding landscape.
5️⃣ Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park was established in 1916 to help protect Kilauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes, which are among the most active in the world. Visitors to the ranch can observe volcanic activity and lava fields. There are several hiking trails of varying difficulty across the park.
6️⃣ Hana Highway Scenic Byway
The Hana Highway on Maui is one of the most beautiful roads in the world, also known as the Road to Hana. The long 64.4 mi road runs along the east coast of the island and offers spectacular views of waterfalls, coastline or jungle along almost its entire length. Prepare for a challenging ride, with around 600 curves and 50 bridges in total.
🗺️ Maui, Hawaii
7️⃣ Polynesian Cultural Center
The Polynesian Cultural Center on Oahu gives visitors a unique opportunity to learn more about Polynesian cultures and the history of not only Hawaii, but also Tahiti, Fiji and New Zealand. The park includes a village where demonstrations of traditional crafts and dances are held, and you can also attend an evening fire show.
🗺️ Oahu, Hawaii
8️⃣ Kalalau Trail
The Kalalau Trail on Kauai is one of the most famous hiking trails in Hawaii. The trail is long 11.0 mi and runs along the coastline with beautiful views of the cliffs, ocean and rainforest. The difficulty of the whole route is high, but it is not a problem to walk only part of the route and enjoy the beautiful views. You can get to the trailhead by car.
9️⃣ Iolani Palace
Iolani is the only royal palace in the USA It is located in downtown Honolulu and illustrates Hawaii’s rich history very well. The palace was once the residence of the last reigning monarchs of the Hawaiian Kingdom, including King Kalakaua and Queen Lili’uokalani.
Visitors to the palace can see the royal chambers with ornate interiors and learn more about the fall of the monarchy during a tour. Those who want to learn more about Hawaii’s history should not leave the Iolani Palace out of their plans.
🔟 Kualoa Ranch
Kualoa Ranch is a private nature preserve on the island of Oahu, which became famous as a filming location for Jurassic Park and Godzilla. Visitors to the park can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities including horseback and ATV rides and an adrenaline-pumping zipline. For those who prefer quieter forms of entertainment, you can enjoy views of Mount Ka’a’awa and the Hawaiian countryside.
🗺️ Oahu, Hawaii
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Largest Cities in Hawaii
The table below shows the ten largest cities in the state of Hawaii in 2023, the source of the data is the United States Census Bureau, a federal agency whose main job is to count the population.
City County Population 1 Honolulu Honolulu 350,964 Map of Honolulu 2 East Honolulu Honolulu 50,922 Map of East Honolulu 3 Pearl City Honolulu 45,295 Map of Pearl City 4 Hilo Hawaii 44,186 Map of Hilo 5 Waipahu Honolulu 43,485 Map of Waipahu 6 Kailua Honolulu 40,514 Map of Kailua 7 Kaneohe Honolulu 37,430 Map of Kaneohe 8 Kahului Maui 28,219 Map of Kahului 9 Mililani Town Honolulu 28,121 Map of Mililani Town 10 Ewa Gentry Honolulu 25,707 Map of Ewa Gentry -
Sports Teams in Hawaii
🏒 Ice Hockey (NHL)
There is no team from Hawaii in the NHL.
🏈 American Football (NFL)
Hawaii is not represented in the NFL.
🏀 Basketball (NBA)
There is no team from Hawaii in the NBA basketball league.
⚾ Baseball (MLB)
There is no team playing MLB in Hawaii.
⚽ Soccer (MLS)
No team from Hawaii plays in the MLS.
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Hawaii State Symbols
Hawaii has adopted a number of different symbols as its state symbols, here in this article are just a few of them.
State Flag of Hawaii
The flag was first adopted by the Kingdom of Hawaii in the early 19th century and continued to be used after its dissolution in 1893. Hawaii is the only US state to use another state’s symbol on its flag. The Union Jack in the upper left quarter commemorates Hawaii’s historical relationship with Britain. The eight stripes represent the eight main islands of Hawaii; the colors have no deeper meaning.
Great Seal of Hawaii
The state seal design was adopted in 1959 when Hawaii became the 50th state of the United States. Its design is based on the original seal of the Republic of Hawaii, designed by Honolulu resident Viggo Jacobsen. The design is based on the royal coat of arms of the Kingdom of Hawaii, which was used during the reign of King Kamehameha III.
State Bird
The official state bird is the endangered Hawaiian goose (Branta sandvicensis), which is known locally as nēnē for the sound it makes. Nēnē survives on four Hawaiian islands, with lava fields, grasslands, and scrublands being typical habitats.
State Fish
Hawaiian law also has in mind the official state fish, the reef triggerfish (Rhinecanthus rectangulus). The fish is interesting because it makes grunting sounds in stressful situations. For example, when fleeing from predators, it apparently warns other fish.
State Flower
The symbol of Hawaii is the yellow hibiscus (Hibiscus brackenridgei), which commonly grows on the islands of Hawaii, Molokai, Lanai and Maui at an altitude of 394 ft–2,592 ft.
State Mammal
State symbols include the endangered Hawaiian monk seal (Neomonachus schauinslandi), which is found primarily in the northwestern region of the Hawaiian Islands.
State Plant
The official state plant is the taro (Colocasia esculenta), for which the Hawaiian term kalo is used. The crop has a similar role in Hawaiian cuisine as the potato, with the leaves also finding use.
State Tree
The state tree is the candlenut (Aleurites moluccanus), which in ancient times in Hawaii was used to keep the light out. This was done by stringing the nuts of the tree on palm fronds and gradually lighting them on fire.
State Dance
Among the legally recognised symbols of Hawaii is the hula dance, through which stories are told and traditionally accompanied by singing. The form of the hula dance varies from island to island.
State Musical Instrument
Local legislation recognises the ukulele as one of the symbols of the hula, a musical instrument brought to Hawaii by Portuguese immigrants from Madeira and the Azores in the late 19th century.
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