Hawaii is one of the most beautiful places in the world, with crystal-clear waters, lush green forests and breathtaking views. There’s so much to see and do there that it can be hard to decide what to do first.
If you’re planning a trip to this paradise state then we’ve got some great news: we’ve done all the research for you! We’ve pulled together 10 interesting facts about Hawaii that will help you decide on your next adventure …
1st Facts About Hawaii – It is the 50th state in the United States.
Hawaii is the 50th state of the United States, but it was the last one to join. It became a territory when it was annexed by President Grover Cleveland in 1898.
The first state to join, after Hawaii was admitted after being freed from its royal rulers and becoming part of another country: America!
Hawaii is the most isolated state in the United States and it’s also one of the most beautiful. It’s a tropical paradise with white sand beaches, volcanoes and lots of palm trees.
The capital city Honolulu is located on Oahu Island, which is home to Waikiki Beach (one of the best places in the world to surf).
2nd Facts About Hawaii – It is made up of eight main islands.
Hawaii is made up of eight main islands, five of which are inhabited. The state’s nickname is the Aloha State and its state flower is the yellow hibiscus. It also has its own state bird, the nene (a goose).
The Hawaiian islands are located in the North Pacific Ocean, 2,200 miles (3,500 km) southwest of San Francisco and 4,000 miles (6,400 km) from Tokyo.
The state has a total area of 6,423 square miles (16,640 sq km), making it about half the size of Wyoming.
3rd Facts About Hawaii – It has been a U.S. state since 1959.
Hawaii has been a U.S. state since 1959. The United States annexed Hawaii on January 17, 1898 after the Spanish-American War.
The Hawaiian Islands became an official territory of the United States and remained so until 1959, when Hawaii was granted statehood by an act of Congress (Public Law 86-3). In that year, August 21st became officially known as “Hawaii Day.”
4th Facts About Hawaii – The word “Hawaii” means “Homeland.”
The word “Hawaii” means “Homeland.”
The word “Hawaii” is a combination of the words “ha” (the article “the”) and “wai” (water). The name was first applied to Oahu, then to all islands in the Hawaiian archipelago.
5th Facts About Hawaii – Hawaii has several nicknames, including Aloha State and Paradise of the Pacific.
It’s no secret that Hawaii is one of the most beautiful places on earth. The islands are home to some of the best beaches in the world, and they’re also surrounded by water that’s perfect for surfing or diving.
But there are many other things about Hawaii you may not know—or even realize!
- Aloha means love or affection in the Hawaiian language. A traditional greeting among locals will be “Aloha!” which means hello or goodbye depending on how it’s used in conversation.
- Paradise of the Pacific was coined by Captain James Cook when he first arrived at Kealakekua Bay on March 27th 1779; he named it after his ship HMS Endeavour which had sailed around Cape Horn before arriving there (and thus proving they were not lost!).
6th Facts About Hawaii – King Kamehameha ruled for about 30 years before he died in 1819. He was succeeded by his son, Liholiho.
King Kamehameha ruled for about 30 years before he died in 1819. He was succeeded by his son, Liholiho.
The Hawaiian Islands were united under one ruler for the first time since their colonization by Polynesians and Europeans.
7th Facts About Hawaii – It’s not usual for someone to see a rainbow over an island or a beach.
It’s not usual for someone to see a rainbow over an island or a beach. They’re even more common in winter because the sun is lower in the sky and it rains more often.
Rainbows are more likely to be seen on windward sides of islands, where there’s less water vapor (water droplets) present for refraction.
Rainbows can also occur when sunlight reflects off raindrops as opposed to being absorbed by them—but this doesn’t happen every time either!
The best time to spot one will depend on where you live: they are most frequently seen during morning or evening hours during summer seasons, but they can also appear at any time of day during winter months if conditions are right (and sometimes even early spring).
8th Facts About Hawaii – Kilauea Volcano is one of the most active volcanoes on earth, having erupted nearly continuously since 1983.
Kilauea Volcano is one of the most active volcanoes on earth, having erupted nearly continuously since 1983. The volcano has been erupting since 1984 and has produced more lava than any other volcano in recorded history.
Kilauea sits on a rift zone between two tectonic plates—the North American Plate and the Pacific Plate—which causes this area to be seismically active with frequent earthquakes and eruptions.
9th Facts About Hawaii – There are eight main islands in Hawaii — Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Maui, Kahoolawe and the Big Island (so named because it’s bigger than all the other islands put together).
The Big Island is the largest and oldest of Hawaii’s eight main islands, so if you’re looking for a place to relax and enjoy nature, this is your destination. There are many reasons why people love to visit their home away from home, but there are two that stand out:
- The Big Island’s active volcano (Kilauea) has been erupting since 1983. As such, it’s one of only three volcanoes on Earth that have erupted in each century (along with Mount Etna in Italy and Mount St. Helen’s near Seattle). This makes it highly interesting for scientists who study volcanoes because they get to observe firsthand how nature works when things get messy!
- Rainforests cover nearly 70% of the Big Island—a record high amount compared to other places around the world where rainforest cover averages between 10-35%.
10th Facts About Hawaii – Rainfall is heavier on windward sides of an island while leeward sides are generally drier and hotter.
Hawaii’s rainfall is heavier on windward sides of the islands while leeward sides are generally drier and hotter.
Windward sides receive more rainfall because they’re closer to the prevailing winds, which blow from east-southeast during the summer months.
Leeward sides experience less precipitation because of their location in relation to these same winds (which blow from west-northwest).
In addition to being beautiful and relaxing, Waikiki Beach offers a variety of activities.
Of all the places you should visit in Hawaii, We recommend Waikiki Beach because it’s fun and there’s a lot to do! You can swim in the ocean or just relax your feet under some shade provided by palm trees lining the beach.
There are shops on the main street where you can buy souvenirs and do some shopping. You can also go to the zoo if you want to see animals from around the world.
Conclusion
Well, we hope you enjoyed these 10 interesting Facts About Hawaii. It is a beautiful place with unique culture and traditions that make it unlike any other state in the U.S. If your dream vacation includes visiting another country or continent, check out our guides on Chicago and Denver.
