Hawaii Facts
Introduction:
Only 800,000 years old, the island of Hawaii is the youngest of the Hawaiian isles. It is also, by far, the largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago; its 4,028 square miles is more than twice the size of all the other major islands combined. Hawaii is comprised of 8 major islands and numerous smaller ones which are mainly uninhabited. Each of the islands is considered a separate county and has its own mayor. Hawaii’s capital city is Honolulu. Hawaii attained statehood on August 21, 1959.
If you would like to submit any facts that you know about Hawaii or, just want to comment, please feel free to do so in the box at the bottom.
Hawaii Island Districts:
Hawaii Island is the County of Hawaii. It is comprised of 9 major districts. These correlate to the ‘TMK numbers’ which serve to identify specific land parcels.
1. Puna
2. South Hilo
3. North Hilo
4. Hamakua
5. North Kohala
6. South Kohala
7. North Kona
8. South Kona
9. Ka’u
Kailua-Kona:
A village located in the North Kona district on the west coast of the Island of Hawaii. “Kona” is not actually a town but refers to the general vicinity of the Southern West Hawaii coast. When the term is used, it generally is referring to the village of Kailua-Kona.
Derivation of “Hawaii”
The name “Hawaii” is derived from a native Hawaiian word for homeland, OWHYHEE.
Hawaii Weather and Climate:
* Weather problems are an exception to the rule in Hawaii, but occasionally tsunamis, large tidal waves caused by far-off earthquakes, hit the island. In 1946 and 1960 tsunamis devastated small areas of the Big Island. During the winter of 1997-1998, El Nino caused a severe drought. While severe storms are uncommon, they do hit land in the Central Pacific about every eight to ten years. Hurricane Iniki hit the island of Kauai in 1992.It has the best climate in the world (my opinion, of course!). At least 12 ‘micro-climates’ exist on the Big Island. Most Hawaii residents choose their home sites based upon their preferred sleeping temperature. Monthly average temperatures in Hawaii range from a high of 87.1 degrees to a low of 65.3 degrees.
* Hilo’s location on the eastern side of the island of Hawaiʻi (windward relative to the trade winds) makes it the wettest city in the United States and one of the wettest cities in the world. An average of 128.53 inches (3,265 mm) of rain fell on Hilo International Airport annually between 1949 and 2008. A record annual rainfall total of 153.93″ was set in 1971. Hilo also set a record for a 24 hour period of 22.3″ in February 1979.
* The water temperature ranges from 75 degrees in February to 82 degrees in September. The variation between day and night is only about one to two degrees. Hawaii is more than 2000 miles from the nearest continental land mass. No matter what the source, air masses are heated on their journey across the ocean. The air mass from the Arctic can be warmed as much as 100 degrees before it reaches Hawaii. The water may be colder where fresh water springs percolate from the ocean floor. The ocean supplies moisture to the air and also acts as a giant thermostat. The Kona side has the calmest clearest water in the state and some of the best beaches in the United States. Generally summer waters are very gentle on all the beaches. Wave conditions are very localized, so if you don’t find the surf you desire at one beach, travel to another.
* Some of the best water visibility in the world is found off of the Kona Coast.
* Vog can be a unfortunate problem when living so close to an active volcano.
Hawaiian Geography Lesson:
* Hawaii is the southernmost of the states.
* Median Longitude: 154 40’W to 162 Latitude: 16 55’ N to 23 N in line with central Mexico.
* Hawaii is the most isolated population center on the earth 2,390 miles from California and 3,850 miles from Japan.
* The Hawaiian Islands are the tips of the tallest mountains in the world. Mauna Kea, the highest point in Hawaii is 13,796 feet (4,205 m) measured above sea level. From its base on the ocean floor, Mauna Kea is taller than Mt. Everest.
* The Island of Hawaii is 4,038 square miles, twice the size of all the other Hawaiian Islands combined.
* About 5% of Hawaii is above sea level.
* The deepest channel in Hawaii is the Kauai channel at 10,980 ft.
* Kilauea is the smallest of five volcanoes on Hawaii Island, but may be the world’s most active. Except for brief breaks, it has erupted continuously since 1983. Hawaii Island gains additional land mass every year due to the erupting volcano.
* The world’s longest island chain, the Hawaii Islands, is 1,523 miles long.
* Hawaii is the 43rd largest state in the US.
* The geographic center of Hawaii is located off the southwestern shore of Molokai west of Lanai.
* Hawaii Island was formed by 5 volcanoes, two of which are still active, Kilauea and Mauna Loa.
Hawaii State motto:
Ua mau ke ea o ka aina I ka pono. “The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness”
Hawaii State Bird:
Hawaiian goose – Nene
Hawaii State Flower:
The native yellow hibiscus (Hibiscus brackenridgei A. Gray), also known as the Pua Aloalo or Ma`o-hau-hele.
Individual island flowers:
* Hawaii: Red Lehua (Ohia. metrosideros macropus M. collina)
* Maui: Lokelani – Pink Cottage Rose (Rosa damascena)
* Molokai: White Kukui Blossom (Aleurites moluccana)
* Kahoolawe: Hinahina -Beach Heliotrope (Heliotropium anomalum, var. argenteum)
* Lanai: Kaunaoa -Yellow and Orange Air Plant (Cuscuta sandwichiana)
* Oahu: Ilima (Sida fallax)
* Kauai: Mokihana – Green Berry (Pelea anisata)
* Niihau: White Pupu Shell
Hawaii State Marine Mammal:
Unofficial Hawaii Island Marine Animal:
Hawaii State tree:
Candlenut tree–Kukui nut
Hawaii State Fish:
Reef triggerfish-Humuhumunukunuku’apua’a
State Song:
Hawaii Ponoi (meaning Hawaii’s Own)
Written by King David Kalakaua
Music by Prof. Henry Berger, the Royal Bandmaster
Hawaii ponoi Nana i kou, moi
Kalani Alii, ke Alii.
Makua lani e Kamehameha e
Na kaua e pale Me ka i he.
(translation)
Hawaii’s own true sons, be loyal to your chief
Your country’s liege and lord, the Alii.1
Father above us all, Kamehameha,2
Who guarded in the war with his ihe,3
1. Ali’i (ah-lee-ee) sovereign
2. Kamehameha (Kah-may’-ha-may’-ha) king who first unified the islands.
3. Ihe (ee-hay) spear
Submitted by: Michelle Quigley, The Palm Beach Post
Source: Hawaii Visitor’s Bureau
State Flag:
(Shows its historic ties to the British). The esteemed British navigator and explorer, Captain James Cook, first ‘discovered’ Hawaii when he landed in Waimea, in Kauai in 1774. He was killed in Kealakekua Bay on Hawaii Island in 1778.
Miscellaneous:
Ninety percent of the native plants and animals living in Hawaii are found nowhere else in the world.
Hawaii has no native land reptiles or amphibians. There are no snakes in the wild on any of the islands!
At least one third of all the endangered species in the United States are found in Hawaii including the Nene Goose, Monk Seal, and Humpback whale.
The Island of Hawaii is the worldwide leader in harvesting macadamia nuts and orchids.
Hawaii Island’s nickname is The Orchid Isle.
The tourist industry is Hawaii’s largest source of income.
Places of Interest on Hawaii Island:
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park – comprising the active volcanoes Kilauea and Mauna Loa, Puhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park, Onizuka Space Center, Hulihee Palace – a royal palace in Kailua-Kona, Akaka Falls – the tallest waterfall on the Island, and Mauna Kea Observatory.
Be Careful Where You Choose to Build
Hawaii Island has several lava zones estimating increasing risk of the area being covered by lava someday. This map estimates the risk for Mauna Loa only. Hualalai is still considered ‘active’ and is likely to erupt again. Mauna Kea has been dormant for about 40,000 years. The Kohala volcanoes are considered to be extinct.
A dreadful invader in these beautiful islands is the cursed Indian MYNA BIRD, I am from Australia where these mongrel, rotten, cursed, scourge things are like a swarm of bees and I see they are bad there also and urge you people to trap them before you end up with the terrible problem we have in NSW, where it is just to late as thy are right out of hand THANK YOU IAN
There soon will be no other small and medium size birds in this country, thanks to their foe, the MYNA, these are lousy and carry disease and a very serious threat to our health, not a nice bird at all, the Chirping is also driving everyone crazy especially at dawn and dusk when it could be heard 50 kilometers away, they will wreck the tourist industry in Hawaii as is happening here
Hey Ian,
I appreciate your comments about the Myna birds but I’ve actually grown fond of them. Anytime you see one, you almost always see its mate. I was told that they mate for life….
DK
Does hawaii mean place of the gods please?
need to know for a quiz!
I wanted to thank you for this great post. I definitely liked every little part of it. I have you bookmarked and will be reading more.