Hawaii
Island state with a tropical climate and diverse heritage.
Hawaii is an island state of the United States located in the Pacific Ocean, approximately 2,400 miles southwest of the U.S. mainland. It is one of two non-contiguous states, the only state entirely composed of an archipelago, and the only state situated south of the Tropic of Cancer. Along with Florida, it is one of two states with tropical climate regions, and like Texas, it was an internationally recognized sovereign nation before joining the Union. The state comprises 137 volcanic islands forming nearly the entire Hawaiian archipelago, with Midway Atoll as the sole exception. Physiographically and ethnologically, it belongs to the Polynesian subregion of Oceania. Its coastline is the fourth-longest in the U.S. The eight main islands, from northwest to southeast, are Niʻihau, Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Kahoʻolawe, Maui, and Hawaiʻi—the last often called the "Big Island" to avoid confusion with the state. The uninhabited Northwestern Hawaiian Islands constitute most of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, the largest protected area in the U.S. and fourth-largest globally.
Hawaii is the eighth-smallest state in land area and the 11th-least populous, yet ranks 13th in population density with 1.4 million residents. Two-thirds live on Oʻahu, home to the capital and largest city, Honolulu. It is one of the most demographically diverse states, with a history of migration spanning over two centuries. As a majority-minority state, it has the only Asian American plurality, the largest Buddhist community, and the highest proportion of multiracial people in the U.S., creating a blend of North American, East Asian, and indigenous Hawaiian cultures.
Polynesians settled the islands between 1000 and 1200 CE, establishing independent chiefdoms. British explorer James Cook arrived in 1778, the first known non-Polynesian visitor; early British influence appears in the state flag, which bears a Union Jack. European and American explorers, traders, and whalers introduced diseases like syphilis, tuberculosis, smallpox, and measles, decimating the native population from between 300,000 and one million to fewer than 40,000 by 1890. Hawaii became a unified, internationally recognized kingdom in 1810, remaining independent until American and European businessmen overthrew the monarchy in 1893, leading to U.S. annexation in 1898. As a strategically valuable terri
- Capital and largest city
- Honolulu
- Population
- 1.4 million
- Land area rank
- 8th-smallest among U.S. states
- Population density rank
- 13th among U.S. states
- Number of main islands
- 8
- Official languages
- English and Hawaiian
Lore & Background
Hawaii is an archipelago of 137 volcanic islands in the central Pacific Ocean, located about 2,000 miles southwest of the U.S. mainland. It is the only U.S. state that is entirely an archipelago, the only one not on the North American mainland, and the only state south of the Tropic of Cancer. The eight main islands, running northwest to southeast, are Niʻihau, Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Kahoʻolawe, Maui, and Hawaiʻi (often called the Big Island). The state’s coastline is the fourth-longest in the U.S. The uninhabited Northwestern Hawaiian Islands form most of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, the largest protected area in the country. Hawaii is the eighth-smallest state in land area and the 11th-least populous, yet ranks 13th in population density, with two-thirds of its 1.4 million residents living on Oʻahu, home to the capital, Honolulu. The state is one of the most demographically diverse in the U.S., with an Asian American plurality, the largest Buddhist community, and the highest proportion of multiracial people. Its location has made it a melting pot of North American, East Asian, and indigenous Hawaiian cultures. The native Hawaiian population was decimated by diseases introduced after British explorer James Cook’s arrival in 1778, declining from up to one million to fewer than 40,000 by 1890. Hawaii was a unified, internationally recognized kingdom from 1810 until its monarchy was overthrown in 1893 by American and European businessmen, leading to U.S. annexation in 1898. It was attacked by Japan on December 7, 1941, and became the most recent state on August 21, 1959. The U.S. government formally apologized in 1993 for its role in the overthrow, fueling the Hawaiian sovereignty movement.
Reader's Guide
Hawaii's significance lies in its unique status as the only U.S. state that is an archipelago, the only one not on the North American mainland, and the most recent to join the union. Its economy, once dominated by plantation agriculture, has diversified since the mid-20th century, with tourism and military defense becoming the two largest sectors. The state hosts the U.S. Hawaii is one of the most demographically diverse U.S. states, with the only Asian American plurality, the largest Buddhist community, and the largest proportion of multiracial people. Its indigenous Hawaiian heritage, combined with North American and East Asian cultures, creates a unique melting pot. However, climate change poses existential threats, including drought, sea level rise, and wildfire risks, compounded by an aging and declining population. Hawaii's isolation results in one of the highest costs of living in the U.S., yet it is the third-wealthiest state and has the longest life expectancy at 80.7 years.
Did You Know?
- Hawaii is the only U.S. state that is an archipelago and the only one not on the North American mainland.
- The state flag bears a Union Jack due to early British influence.
More in Islands And Archipelagos 1-24
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