There is more to see in Hawaii beyond beaches and volcanoes! Hawaii is full of fun facts, from its weird animal life to odd historical tidbits, and plenty of facts most people don’t know.
Some might call it paradise, but did you know there’s much more behind the paradisiacal beaches? Curious? You should be. Read the full article before planning your trip to Hawaii. Every traveler considering visiting Hawaii should check out this guide to fun facts!
Woman Stock photos by Vecteezy
Hawaii Has The Most Active Volcanoes in the U.S
The Big Island of Hawaii is home to two of the most active volcanoes on Earth: Mauna Loa and Kilauea.
Mauna Loa, the largest volcano on Earth by volume, erupts less frequently than Kilauea but on a much greater scale. In contrast, Kilauea, known for its near-continuous eruptions over recent decades, has added new, land that has helped form the island.
The volcanic activity of both Mauna Loa and Kilauea offers valuable insights into the study of volcanoes and Earth’s geological processes.
Photo by Marc Szeglat on Unsplash
Hawaii Has Its Own Time Zone
Hawaii has its own time zone, Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time (HST), 10 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC-10). HST is observed only in Hawaii and the Aleutian Islands of Alaska.
Another fun fact about Hawaii is that it does not practice Daylight Saving Time; there is the same time difference throughout the year. This time zone also applies to the Aleutian Islands in Alaska, west of the 169th meridian.
Mauna Kea Is Taller Than Mount Everest
Mauna Kea, located on the Big Island in Hawaii, is the tallest mountain in the world when measured from its base on the ocean floor to its peak. The mountain measures over 33,500 feet, with 13,796 feet above sea level.
While its summit altitude is lower than Mount Everest, Mauna Kea’s total base-to-peak height surpasses Everest, making it the tallest mountain overall.
- Mauna Kea’s Height: From the base (on the ocean floor) to the summit, measures about 33,500 feet (10,210 meters).
- Mount Everest is 29,032 feet (8,849 meters) above sea level, making it the highest mountain on Earth in terms of elevation.
Another interesting fact about Hawai’s Mauna Kea is that it is a dormant volcano and is renowned for astronomical research.
Photo by Micah Alameda on Unsplash
The Wettest Place in the U.S. is in Hawaii
Waialeale Mountain, on the island of Kauai, is the wettest place in the United States, receiving an average of about 450 inches of rainfall per year, though it can be more or less.
The mountain’s height and its position block moist trade winds and create heavy rainfall. The rain feeds Kauai’s rivers, waterfalls, and vegetation on the island. That is the reason why it is also called “The Garden Island.”
Hawaii is the Only U.S. State Growing Coffee Commercially
Hawaii is the only state in the United States that grows coffee commercially. Coffee is cultivated on several islands, including the Big Island, Maui, Oahu, and Kauai. The Kona region on the Big Island is the most famous for its coffee, grown on the fertile slopes of Mauna Loa.
Hawaii’s unique weather, volcanic soil, and frequent rainfall are ideal for coffee cultivation. Popular coffee varieties produced in Hawaii include Kona, Ka’u, and Maui Mokka.
Photo by Rebekah Howell on Unsplash
Aloha State Became the 50th U.S. State in 1959
Hawaii became the 50th US state on August 21, 1959. It was the last state to become part of the United States and the only state entirely made up of islands. Hawaii’s statehood came about after a referendum in which the majority voted in its favor.
The state comprises a chain of eight major islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, including Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island.
Birthplace of Modern Surfing
Hawaii is often seen as the birthplace of modern surfing. Ancient Hawaiians invented the sport of riding ocean waves on wooden boards. Ever since, surfing has had a great cultural and spiritual importance, often associated with royalty and seen as a way to connect with the ocean.
A native Hawaiian swimmer and Olympic gold medalist, Duke Kahanamoku, gained international attention of the world toward surfing in the 1900s. Today, Hawaii ranks among the best places to go surfing with famous locations such as Waikiki Beach and Oahu’s North Shore.
Photo by Oliver Sjöström
Obama: First U.S. President Born In Hawaii
Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States, is the first to have been born outside the 48 states. He was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 1961.
Other famous people from Hawaii are Bruno Mars, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Keanu Reeves, and Jason Momoa. All these names are connected with Hawaii and enlarge its cultural and historical importance.
Hawaii Was Once an Independent Kingdom
Did you know Hawaii was an independent kingdom until 1893? This is truly an interesting fact: The Kingdom of Hawaii was formed by King Kamehameha I back in 1810 and maintained through treaties and international recognition.
The monarchy came to an end in 1893 when American and European settlers overthrew Queen Liliʻuokalani.
Hawaii became a U.S. territory in 1898 and was admitted as the 50th U.S. state on August 21, 1959 after decades of political and cultural changes, it
Hawaii’s State Fish is the Humuhumunukunukuapua’a
The humuhumunukunukuapua’a, or reef triggerfish (Rhinecanthus rectangulus), is the state fish of Hawaii. Its name means “triggerfish with a snout like a pig.” They are found on shallow reefs around the Indo-Pacific, including Hawaii.
The fish use dorsal spines for defense and to wedge themselves into cracks.
In 1985, Hawaii officially named it the state fish, but it was revoked in 1990 and then reinstituted in 2006.
Only State with a Royal Palace
Hawaii is the only state in the United States that contains a royal palace. Iolani Palace in Honolulu was the private residence of Hawaii’s last two monarchs: King Kalakaua and Queen Liliuokalani.
The palace also served as the seat of the Hawaiian government until the monarchy was overthrown in 1893. After Hawaii’s annexation by the US, Iolani Palace became a government building.
Today, serving as a museum and listed as a National Historic Landmark, it reflects the history of the Hawaiian monarchy.
Home to the World’s Largest Dormant Volcano
Mauna Kea, located on the Big Island of Hawaii, is the largest dormant volcano in the world, with a height of 13,803 feet above sea level. Although Mauna Kea last erupted around 4,000 years ago, it remains dormant today.
The summit is very important to Native Hawaiians, who consider it sacred. In addition, its summit hosts some of the world’s most advanced observatories, thanks to its high altitude, clear skies, and minimal light pollution.
A surprisingly fun fact about Hawaii’s Mauna Kea is that it is taller than Mount Everest in terms of total height.
Hawaii Has No Snakes
There are no native snakes in Hawaii and bringing snakes onshore is strictly prohibited and highly destructive to the environment. This protects the state’s unique ecosystem, particularly its native birds and crops.
Generally speaking, any snakes found in Hawaii are illegal and highly destructive to the natural environment. The punishment for keeping snakes includes fines or imprisonment. Only accredited zoos and research facilities may have them but with proper control and safety.
The Pineapple Industry Boom Originated Here
Pineapples are not native to Hawaii, however, the pineapple industry in Hawaii saw a major boom in the early 20th century.
Pineapples are actually from Southern Brazil and Paraguay in South America and made their way to Hawaii in the early 19th century.
It was in 1901 that James Dole founded the Hawaiian Pineapple Company which later became a major player in the pineapple industry. By the mid-20th century, Hawaii supplied over 80% of the world’s pineapples. The advancements in canning and shipping methods made Hawaiian pineapples a hit globally.
Photo by Fiona Smallwood on Unsplash
Home to Over 1,000 Endemic Species
Hawaii is home to over 1,000 species found nowhere else in the world. Some of them include the silversword plant, the nēnē goose, and the Hawaiian monk seal.
These species originally evolved in isolation, adapting to a range of unique habitats. Now, many of them are threatened by habitat loss, invasive species like snakes, and human activities.
Hawaii Has a Unique Alphabet with Only 12 Letters
In the Hawaiian alphabet, there are a total of 12 letters which include five vowels (A, E, I, O, U) and seven consonants (H, K, L, M, N, P, W).
This alphabet was developed by missionaries, in the 1800s who adapted the Latin alphabet to represent the sounds of the Hawaiian language.
Another fun fact is that apart from the 12 letters, the Hawaiian writing system includes the ʻokina, a symbol to indicate a glottal stop or pause in speech, and the kahakō, a diacritical mark used to indicate long vowels.
Hawaii’s Coral Reefs are the Most Extensive in the U.S.
Hawaii’s coral reefs cover about 1,200 square miles in area, making them the largest in the United States.
These reefs protect numerous species of marine life, many of which are endemic to Hawaii. They also shield the coastline from erosion.
A great portion of Hawaii’s coral reefs is located within protected areas, ensuring their conservation and continued ecological benefits.
Photo by Sarah Lee on Unsplash
Spam is a Culinary Staple
Hawaii has the highest per capita Spam consumption in the U.S. In fact, it has been part of Hawaiian food since World War II when the U.S. military brought it in as a cheap protein source.
Over time, Spam became a staple in Hawaiian cuisine, with dishes like Spam musubi and Spam fried rice.
Another interesting fact about Hawaii’s culinary culture is the Spam Jam festival, which celebrates spam’s role in Hawaiian culture, mainly its affordability and availability during the war.
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