50 Fun Facts About Hawaii Quiz

What is the state bird of Hawaii?

The Nene, or Hawaiian goose, has been the official state bird of Hawaii since 1957. It is believed to have evolved from the Canada goose about 500,000 years ago.

Which Hawaiian island is nicknamed 'The Garden Isle'?

Kauai is nicknamed 'The Garden Isle' due to its lush tropical rainforests, dramatic cliffs, and abundant greenery. It is the oldest of the main Hawaiian islands.

How many main islands make up the Hawaiian archipelago?

Hawaii has eight main islands: Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe, Maui, and the Big Island (Hawaii). The total archipelago includes 136 islands.

What year did Hawaii become the 50th U.S. state?

Hawaii was admitted to the Union on August 21, 1959, becoming the 50th and most recent state to join the United States.

What is the capital city of Hawaii?

Honolulu, located on the island of Oahu, is both the state capital and the largest city in Hawaii.

What is the only royal palace on U.S. soil?

Iolani Palace in Honolulu is the only official royal palace in the United States. It served as the residence of the Hawaiian monarchy from 1882 to 1893.

Which monarch united the Hawaiian Islands into one kingdom?

King Kamehameha I, also known as Kamehameha the Great, unified the Hawaiian Islands into one royal kingdom in 1810 after years of military campaigns.

What type of outdoor advertising is banned throughout Hawaii to preserve natural beauty?

Hawaii banned billboards statewide to preserve the natural beauty of the islands. It is one of only four U.S. states that prohibit billboards.

What is the Hawaiian word that serves as both a greeting and a farewell?

Aloha is used as both hello and goodbye in Hawaiian. It also means love, affection, and compassion, and is central to Hawaiian culture. Hawaii is nicknamed 'The Aloha State.'

Which volcano on the Big Island is considered one of the world's most active?

Kilauea on the Big Island of Hawaii is one of the world's most active volcanoes. It has been erupting nearly continuously since 1983 and is located within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Measured from its base on the ocean floor, which Hawaiian mountain is taller than Mount Everest?

Mauna Kea rises about 33,500 feet from its base on the ocean floor to its summit, making it taller than Mount Everest's 29,032 feet when measured from base to peak.

What is the state fish of Hawaii, known for its remarkably long name?

The humuhumunukunukuapuaa (reef triggerfish) became Hawaii's official state fish in 1985. Its name roughly translates to 'triggerfish with a snout like a pig.'

Besides English, what other language is an official language of Hawaii?

Hawaii is the only U.S. state with two official languages: English and Hawaiian. The Hawaiian language nearly went extinct but has seen a revival through immersion schools.

Which island is home to Pearl Harbor?

Pearl Harbor is located on the island of Oahu, near Honolulu. The surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, led to the United States entering World War II.

What is the Hawaiian state flower?

The yellow hibiscus (Hibiscus brackenridgei), known as pua mao hau hele in Hawaiian, was designated as Hawaii's official state flower in 1988. It is native to the Hawaiian islands.

What natural disaster struck the historic town of Lahaina, Maui in August 2023?

In August 2023, devastating wildfires destroyed much of the historic town of Lahaina on Maui. It was one of the deadliest wildfires in modern U.S. history, claiming over 100 lives.

Which European explorer is credited with being the first Westerner to reach Hawaii in 1778?

British Captain James Cook and his crew arrived in Hawaii in January 1778. He named the islands the 'Sandwich Islands' after the Earl of Sandwich.

What was Captain Cook's original name for the Hawaiian Islands?

Captain James Cook named Hawaii the 'Sandwich Islands' in 1778 in honor of his patron, John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, who was then First Lord of the Admiralty.

What Hawaiian goddess is believed to live in the Halemaumau crater at Kilauea?

Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of fire, lightning, wind, and volcanoes, is believed to reside in the Halemaumau crater at the summit of Kilauea. She is one of the most revered figures in Hawaiian mythology.

What crop did Hawaii produce approximately 80% of the world's supply of in the 1960s?

In the 1960s, Hawaii produced about 80% of the world's pineapples. The Dole and Del Monte plantations on Oahu and Maui were major producers, though production has since declined significantly.

Which Hawaiian island is known as 'The Forbidden Isle' because access is restricted?

Niihau, purchased by Elizabeth Sinclair from King Kamehameha V in 1864 for $10,000, is privately owned by the Robinson family. Access is restricted to preserve Hawaiian culture and language.

Which island chain did the first Polynesian settlers of Hawaii sail from around 1,500 years ago?

The first known settlers of Hawaii sailed approximately 2,000 miles from the Marquesas Islands around 1,500 years ago. A second wave of settlers arrived from Tahiti about 500 years later.

What is the approximate distance from Hawaii to the nearest U.S. mainland?

Hawaii is approximately 2,390 miles from California, making it the most isolated population center on Earth. It is also 3,850 miles from Japan and 4,900 miles from China.

Which Hawaiian island is the largest by area?

The Big Island of Hawaii is by far the largest Hawaiian island at about 4,028 square miles. It is nearly twice the size of all the other Hawaiian islands combined.

What traditional Hawaiian garland of flowers is given as a symbol of greeting and affection?

The lei is a garland or wreath of flowers, leaves, shells, or other materials traditionally given as a symbol of greeting, love, or celebration in Hawaiian culture.

What is the meaning of the Hawaiian word 'mahalo'?

Mahalo means 'thank you' in Hawaiian. It is one of the most commonly used Hawaiian words and can be seen on signs throughout the islands.

Which Hawaiian island is nicknamed 'The Valley Isle'?

Maui is nicknamed 'The Valley Isle' because of the large valley-like isthmus between its two volcanic mountains, Haleakala and the West Maui Mountains.

What is the only U.S. state that commercially grows coffee?

Hawaii is the only U.S. state that commercially grows coffee. Kona coffee from the Big Island is world-renowned for its smooth, rich flavor and is grown on the slopes of Hualalai and Mauna Loa.

What undersea volcano growing off the coast of the Big Island may one day become a new Hawaiian island?

Loihi Seamount is an active submarine volcano located about 20 miles off the southeast coast of the Big Island. It stands over 10,000 feet tall but its summit is still about 3,000 feet below the ocean surface. It may emerge in 100,000+ years.

What famous beach on Oahu's North Shore is renowned for its massive winter waves and professional surfing competitions?

The Banzai Pipeline (or simply Pipeline) on Oahu's North Shore is one of the most famous surfing spots in the world, known for its powerful, hollow waves that break over a shallow reef.

What percentage of Hawaiian vascular plant species are found nowhere else in the world?

Nearly 90% of Hawaii's native vascular plants are endemic, meaning they are found nowhere else on Earth. This extraordinary endemism is a result of Hawaii's extreme geographic isolation.

What is Hawaii's state motto in English translation?

Hawaii's state motto is 'Ua Mau ke Ea o ka Aina i ka Pono,' which translates to 'The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness.' It was adopted when Hawaii became a state in 1959.

Who was the last reigning monarch of the Kingdom of Hawaii?

Queen Liliuokalani was the last sovereign monarch of the Hawaiian Kingdom. She was overthrown in January 1893 by a group of American and European businessmen with the support of U.S. Marines.

What unique element appears on the Hawaiian state flag that reflects its historical ties to Britain?

The Hawaiian flag features the British Union Jack in its upper left corner, reflecting the historical friendship between King Kamehameha I and Great Britain. It is the only U.S. state flag to include the Union Jack.

What traditional Hawaiian feast features a whole roasted pig cooked in an underground oven?

A luau is a traditional Hawaiian feast that often features kalua pig, which is cooked in an underground oven called an imu. The pig is wrapped in banana and ti leaves and slow-roasted for hours.

What Hawaiian staple food is made by pounding cooked taro root into a paste?

Poi is a traditional Hawaiian staple made from the starchy corm of the taro plant. It is pounded into a smooth, sticky paste and was the primary food of ancient Hawaiians.

What is the name of the massive dormant volcano that makes up most of East Maui?

Haleakala, meaning 'House of the Sun,' is a massive shield volcano that forms more than 75% of Maui. Its summit crater is a popular tourist destination for watching sunrise.

What is the Hawaiian word for 'family' that has become widely used in popular culture?

Ohana means 'family' in Hawaiian, encompassing not just blood relatives but also adopted or chosen family. It was popularized in mainstream culture through the Disney film Lilo & Stitch.

Which Hawaiian island was formerly used as a U.S. Navy bombing range and is now uninhabited?

Kahoolawe was used as a military bombing range from World War II until 1990. It is now uninhabited and being restored by the Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission.

What type of native Hawaiian mammal is the only land mammal native to the islands?

The Hawaiian hoary bat (ope'ape'a) is the only land mammal native to Hawaii. All other land mammals, including mongooses and rats, were introduced by humans.

What famous surfing destination on Oahu is home to the annual Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational?

Waimea Bay on Oahu's North Shore hosts the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational, held only when waves reach at least 20 feet. The event honors legendary Hawaiian waterman Eddie Aikau.

What is Hawaii often called due to its extraordinarily high number of threatened species?

Hawaii is often referred to as the 'Endangered Species Capital of the World' due to its extremely high number of threatened and endangered plant and animal species, many found nowhere else on Earth.

What is the name of the famous Waikiki hotel that opened in 1927 and is known as 'The Pink Palace of the Pacific'?

The Royal Hawaiian Hotel, which opened in 1927 in Waikiki, is known as 'The Pink Palace of the Pacific' due to its distinctive pink stucco exterior and luxurious ambiance.

What astronomical feature makes the summit of Mauna Kea one of the best places in the world for telescopes?

Mauna Kea's summit at 13,796 feet sits above 40% of Earth's atmosphere and most cloud cover. Its location near the equator, dry conditions, and minimal light pollution make it ideal for astronomical observation.

What ancient Hawaiian sport involved riding ocean waves on long wooden boards?

Surfing, known as he'e nalu in Hawaiian, was practiced by ancient Hawaiians for centuries before Western contact. It was considered a sacred activity and was especially popular among Hawaiian royalty.

What Hawaiian island was once owned almost entirely by the Dole pineapple company?

Lanai was once the world's largest pineapple plantation, owned almost entirely by the Dole Food Company. Today it is largely owned by tech billionaire Larry Ellison and has transitioned to luxury tourism.

What type of rock formations are created when hot lava flows into the ocean and cools rapidly?

When hot lava flows into the ocean and cools rapidly, it shatters into tiny fragments that create black sand beaches. Punaluu Black Sand Beach on the Big Island is one of Hawaii's most famous examples.

Which U.S. president was born in Honolulu, Hawaii?

Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States, was born in Honolulu, Hawaii on August 4, 1961. He is the only U.S. president born in Hawaii.

What is the name of the narrow sea cliff coastline on Molokai that features some of the world's tallest sea cliffs?

The sea cliffs of Molokai's Kalaupapa Peninsula are among the tallest in the world, rising approximately 3,000 feet above the ocean. The remote Kalaupapa area was historically used as a leper colony.

What traditional Hawaiian navigation technique allowed Polynesian voyagers to cross thousands of miles of open ocean?

Ancient Polynesian navigators used wayfinding techniques including reading star positions, ocean swells, wind patterns, and cloud formations to cross vast stretches of the Pacific Ocean without instruments.