145 Fun Facts About Hawaii That Will Inspire

Hawaii’s allure goes beyond its beaches and breathtaking scenery. With a rich cultural history, unique wildlife, and fascinating customs, Hawaii holds endless stories and surprising facts.

Dive into this ultimate guide of fun facts about Hawaii and get inspired for your next adventure in the Aloha State!

Table of Contents

History and Origins

Hawaii became the 50th state of the United States on August 21, 1959.
The first settlers in Hawaii arrived from Polynesia around 1,500 years ago.
Captain James Cook was the first European to discover Hawaii in 1778.
The Hawaiian Islands were originally ruled by individual chiefs until 1810.
King Kamehameha the Great unified the islands under his rule in 1810.
Before becoming a state, Hawaii was a sovereign kingdom.
The monarchy was overthrown in 1893 by American and European businessmen.
Queen Liliʻuokalani was the last monarch of Hawaii before it became a republic.
The United States annexed Hawaii in 1898, and it became a U.S. territory.
Hawaii was attacked by Japan on December 7, 1941, leading the U.S. into WWII.
The Hawaiian Kingdom had its own flag, which is still used as the state flag.
Hawaii was the only state with an official royal palace, ‘Iolani Palace.
Hawaii’s statehood was confirmed by a vote, with over 90% in favor.
The USS Arizona Memorial commemorates the Pearl Harbor attack victims.
Hawaii was once known as the “Sandwich Islands” by European explorers.

Hawaiian Culture and Traditions

The Hawaiian language is one of the official languages of Hawaii.
“Aloha” means more than just “hello” or “goodbye”; it conveys love and compassion.
Hula, a traditional Hawaiian dance, tells stories through movement.
A luau is a traditional Hawaiian feast featuring food, music, and dance.
The lei, a floral garland, symbolizes love, friendship, and respect.
Traditionally, Hawaiians greeted each other by touching noses, known as “honi.”
Many Hawaiian customs are rooted in respect for the land and ancestors.
Each island has its own special flower, like the yellow hibiscus for Oahu.
Hawaiian tattoos have deep cultural significance and are called “kākau.”
The Makahiki season, a Hawaiian New Year festival, honors the god Lono.
Surfers have deep cultural respect for the ocean, referring to it as “kai.”
“Ohana” means family and includes extended family, friends, and neighbors.
The “Aloha Spirit” is even embedded in Hawaiian state law.
Traditional Hawaiian names often have deep meanings connected to nature.
Kalo, or taro, is considered a sacred plant in Hawaiian culture.

Geography and Landmarks

Hawaii consists of 137 islands, though only 7 are inhabited.
Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano on the Big Island, is the tallest mountain on Earth if measured from its base.
Diamond Head, or Lē‘ahi, is an iconic crater located on Oahu.
The Hawaiian Islands were formed by volcanic activity over millions of years.
Hawaii’s largest island, Hawaii Island, is also known as the Big Island.
Kauai is the oldest of the main Hawaiian islands.
The “Pineapple Isle,” Lanai, was once a major pineapple plantation.
The road to Hana on Maui boasts 620 curves and 59 bridges.
Molokai is known for its untouched natural beauty and traditional Hawaiian lifestyle.
Oahu’s nickname, “The Gathering Place,” reflects its large population.
Waimea Canyon on Kauai is often called the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific.”
The island of Kahoolawe was used for military bombing practice until 1990.
The North Shore of Oahu is famous for its large winter waves.
Hawaii has 11 of the world’s 13 climate zones.
Maui’s Haleakalā Crater is one of the best places for sunrise views.

Flora and Fauna

Hawaii is home to over 1,000 native plant species found nowhere else on Earth.
The state bird is the nēnē, a unique type of Hawaiian goose.
Hawaii is known for its extensive coral reef systems.
The state fish, humuhumunukunukuāpuaʻa, is as colorful as its name is long.
Only two mammals are native to Hawaii: the Hawaiian monk seal and the hoary bat.
The ‘ōhi‘a lehua tree is a sacred plant in Hawaiian mythology.
The Hawaiian green sea turtle, or honu, is an important symbol in Hawaiian culture.
Native plants like the ilima flower are often used in leis.
Hawaii has strict regulations to prevent invasive species from harming local flora.
The silversword plant, unique to Haleakalā, has a lifespan of up to 50 years.
Manta rays can be spotted in Hawaiian waters, especially around the Big Island.
Hawaii is the only U.S. state with a tropical rainforest.
The albatross, known for its large wingspan, breeds in Hawaii.
Endangered Hawaiian petrels nest on high mountain cliffs.
Rare orchids and bromeliads thrive in Hawaii’s unique climate.

Food and Cuisine

Poi, made from taro root, is a traditional Hawaiian staple.
Spam musubi, a slice of grilled Spam on rice, is a beloved snack.
Shave ice, topped with tropical syrups, is a popular Hawaiian treat.
Saimin, a noodle soup, reflects Hawaii’s multicultural heritage.
Poke, a raw fish salad, is one of Hawaii’s most famous dishes.
Laulau is a dish made from pork or fish wrapped in taro leaves and steamed.
Loco Moco, a dish with rice, burger patty, egg, and gravy, is Hawaiian comfort food.
Macadamia nuts are a common snack and ingredient in Hawaii.
Hawaii grows coffee on Maui and the Big Island, especially in Kona.
The state fruit is the pineapple, popularized by plantations on Oahu.
Hawaiian plates often include rice, meat, and macaroni salad.
Haupia, a coconut-based dessert, is a favorite at luaus.
Malasadas, Portuguese-inspired donuts, are popular on Fat Tuesday.
Kalua pig, cooked in an imu (underground oven), is a luau highlight.
Lilikoi (passion fruit) is a commonly used fruit in desserts.

Music and Dance

Slack-key guitar is a unique Hawaiian music style with a “slackened” tuning.
The ukulele, introduced by Portuguese immigrants, is a Hawaiian music staple.
“Aloha Oe” was written by Queen Liliʻuokalani and is a famous farewell song.
Hawaiian music often includes chants, or mele, with deep cultural meaning.
The pahu drum is a traditional instrument used in hula dances.
Jake Shimabukuro is a well-known Hawaiian ukulele virtuoso.
Steel guitar was invented in Hawaii and later influenced American country music.
Hula kahiko is an ancient style of hula accompanied by chants.
Hula ‘auana is a modern hula style accompanied by song and instruments.
The Merrie Monarch Festival celebrates hula and Hawaiian culture annually.
Traditional Hawaiian music often honors the gods and the natural world.
Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” is iconic.
Many songs describe Hawaii’s landscapes and evoke a sense of “Aloha Aina” (love for the land).
The ‘ukeke is a rare, ancient Hawaiian string instrument.
Honolulu’s Waikiki Shell hosts many outdoor music events.

Bonus: Surprising Hawaiian Facts

Hawaii has no billboards to preserve its scenic beauty.
It’s illegal to own snakes in Hawaii.
Hawaii is the only U.S. state to grow coffee commercially.
“Aloha shirts” were first marketed to tourists in the 1930s.
Hawaii is the only U.S. state with a palace.
There are no seagulls in Hawaii.
Hawaii imports around 90% of its food.
No part of Hawaii is more than 29 miles from the ocean.
The word “wiki” means “quick” in Hawaiian.
The Hawaiian alphabet has only 12 letters.
Hawaii has banned plastic bags statewide.
Kauai has wild chickens due to escaped domesticated ones.
The Hawaii State Fish has the longest name of any state fish.
Lava flows created the black sand beaches of Punaluu.
Hawaiian time is often understood to mean a more relaxed pace.
The Big Island grows by about 40 acres a year due to lava flow.
Hawaii is the largest consumer of Spam per capita in the U.S.
All beaches in Hawaii are public by law.
Hawaii hosts one of the world’s largest telescopes on Mauna Kea.
Hawaii has its own time zone, called Hawaiian Standard Time (HST).
Whale-watching season is December to May.
Each Hawaiian island has an official color and flower.
Japanese is the most widely spoken foreign language in Hawaii.
Hawaii has the highest life expectancy in the U.S.
Hawaii is a leading location for geothermal energy.
The world’s largest labyrinth is on Maui.
Honolulu is the world’s only royal palace on U.S. soil.
Hilo gets more than 120 inches of rain annually.
The Hawaiian Islands are the world’s most isolated population center.
Hawaii has one of the nation’s lowest obesity rates.
There are no native snakes in Hawaii.
Hawaii had an active sugar industry until the 1980s.
You can see lava from Kilauea on a boat tour.
Hawaii has some of the clearest skies for stargazing.
Molokini, a crescent-shaped island, is a popular snorkeling spot.
Bamboo was introduced to Hawaii by Polynesians.
The Big Island has both black and green sand beaches.
Hawaii has a statewide smoking ban in public places.
There are ancient petroglyphs carved by early Hawaiians.
Many roads in Hawaii are named after plants and trees.
Hawaii has no daylight saving time.
Mauna Loa is the largest active volcano on Earth.
The first hula was performed in Kauai.
Hawaiian weddings often include the giving of leis.
Honolulu is the largest city in the world, by area, due to city boundaries.
Hawaiian priests, called kahunas, were cultural leaders.
There’s a Hawaiian rainforest 3,000 feet up Mauna Kea.
Sand dunes on the Big Island hold ancient Hawaiian burials.
Hawaiian petroglyphs can be seen on volcanic rocks across the islands.
Hawaii’s last eruption was in 2022 from Mauna Loa.