Hawaii is the only U.S. State outside North America. It’s the only island state and located in the Pacific Ocean. Like Alaska, Hawaii doesn’t border any other U.S. State. It’s completely surrounded by water. Are you interested to know more about Hawaii interesting facts? We will talk about 10 interesting facts about Hawaii in this article.
1. Hawaii is the Only U.S. State in the Tropics
Hawaii is the southernmost state of the United States that located south of Tropic of Cancer (except some uninhabited islands in Northwestern Hawaiian Islands). Since it’s located south of Topic of Cancer, Hawaii is the only U.S state in the tropics. The climate of Hawaii is typical for the tropics. There are only two seasons in most of Hawaii the dry season runs (from May to October) and the wet season (from October to April).
2. Hawaii is the Most Recent State to Join the United States
With Hawaii Admission Act, Hawaii became a state of the United States on August 21, 1959. It’s the most recent state to join the United States. Before admitted as a U.S. State, Hawaii was once Territory of Hawaii from 1898 to 1959. The admission of Hawaii to the Union was actually only few months after the admission of Alaska on January 3, 1959.
3. The Largest Protected Area in the U.S. is Located in Hawaii
Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument is the largest protected area in the United States. It’s a World Heritage encompassing 583,000 square miles (1,510,000 km2) of ocean waters. It also includes ten islands and atolls of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Besides the largest protected area in the United States, Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument is also the third largest protected area in the world.
4. Hawaii Hosts the Largest Naval Command in the World
Hawaii hosts the U.S. Pacific Fleet. It’s the largest naval command in the world. There are also 75,000 employees of the Defense Department in Hawaii. United States Pacific Fleet (USPACFLT) headquarter is in Naval Station Pearl Harbor. It provides naval forces to the Indo-Pacific Command. Military is the second largest income of Hawaii.
5. Tourism has been the Largest Industry of Hawaii since its Statehood
Tourism has been a very important part of Hawaii’s economy since its statehood in 1959. It contributes more than 20% of the gross state product (GSP). Hawaii is a popular tourist destination throughout the year because of its mild year-round weather. Japanese tourists make up the largest group of inbound international travelers to Hawaii due to its their economic and historical ties to Hawaii as well as relative geographical proximity.
6. The Highest Point of Hawaii is Mauna Kea, that is also the Highest Point in Oceania
Mauna Kea is the highest point in Hawaii. Mauna Kea is a dormant volcano that located in Hawaiʻi, the southernmost island in the state of Hawaii. With 13,796 ft (4,205.0 m) elevation, Mauna Kea is also the highest point in Oceania. When we measure Mauna Kea from its underwater base, it becomes the tallest mountain in the world with 10,211 m (33,500 ft) height.
7. Hawaiʻi Island (the Big Island) is the Largest Island in the United States
The island of Hawaiʻi (Hawaiʻi Island) or also called the Big Island is the largest island in the state of Hawaii. It’s located in the southernmost part of Hawaii. Besides the largest island of Hawaii, Hawai’i Island is also the largest island in the United States. It’s 4,028 square miles (10,430 km2) in area larger than Kodiak Island of Alaska and Puerto Rico as the second and third largest island of the United States.
8. Yellow Hibiscus is the Official State Flower of Hawaii
The Yellow hibiscus (Hibiscus brackenridgei) is one of seven hibiscus species native to Hawaii. It is also known as Pua Aloalo or Ma`o-hau-hele and was designated as the official state flower of Hawaii on 6 June 1988. The yellow hibiscus is an endangered species as it’s very rare to be found in the wild. But it becomes quite popular ornamental flower in Hawaiian yards.
9. Nene is the Official Bird of Hawaii
The Nene was designated as the official bird of Hawaii in 1957. It is also known as nēnē and Hawaiian goose. The Nene (Branta sandvicensis) is an endemic bird that can be found exclusively in Hawaii (Oahu, Maui, Kauaʻi, Molokai, and Hawaiʻi) and classified as vulnerable by IUCN. The Nene is a medium-sized goose with around 41 cm (16 in) height. Although they basically can fly, they spend most of their time on the ground.
10. Humuhumunukunukuāpuaʻa is the State Fish of Hawaii
Humuhumunukunukuāpuaʻa is the Hawaiian name of reef triggerfish (Rhinecanthus rectangulus). Humuhumunukunukuāpuaʻa was first designated as the state fish of Hawaii in 1985 but ceased in 1990 due to an expiration law after five years. It was permanently reinstated as the state fish of Hawaii in 2006. Humuhumunukunukuāpuaʻa is one of the species of triggerfish that commonly found at Indo-Pacific reefs.
Besides those 10 interesting facts about Hawaii, there are surely plenty of other interesting Hawaii facts. Feel free to share with us here if you know one.