Hawaii: Quick Facts

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The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

Nov. 13, 2026

News •

Tropical Storm Pena moves away from Hawaii, but strong tradewinds on the way • Nov. 10, 2026, 10:39 PM ET (Honolulu Star-Advertiser)

Tropical Storm Pena forms in the Pacific Ocean south of Hawaii • Nov. 6, 2026, 4:30 PM ET (AP)

June Jones, whose run-and-shoot offense dazzled at Hawaii and in the NFL, dies at 73 • Oct. 29, 2026, 9:40 PM ET (AP)

Mission Unclear: A $1 Million Contract In Hawaii Involving Invasive Species • Oct. 28, 2026, 4:02 PM ET (AP)

Facts

Also Known As	Aloha State • Hawaiian Islands • Hawaii Islands • Sandwich Islands
Capital	Honolulu
Population¹	(2020) 1,455,271; (2025 est.) 1,432,820
Governor	Josh Green (Democrat)
Date Of Admission	Aug. 21, 1959
U.S. Senators	Brian Schatz (Democrat) • Mazie Hirono (Democrat)
State Nickname	Aloha State
State Motto	"Ua Mau Ke Ea O Ka Aina I Ka Pono (The Life of the Land Is Perpetuated in Righteousness)"
State Bird	nene (Hawaiian goose)
State Flower	yellow hibiscus
State Song	“Hawai’i Pono’i”
Seats In U.S. House Of Representatives	2 (of 435)
Time Zone	Hawaiian (GMT − 10 hours)
Total Area (Sq Km)	28,412
Total Area (Sq Mi)	10,970
¹Excluding military abroad.

Photos and Videos

Hawaii: state seal

Political map of Hawaii showing the major Hawaiian Islands, their boundaries, and principal cities, including Honolulu on Oahu and Hilo on Hawaii (the Big Island). Insets provide detailed maps of each main island, and a locator map shows Hawaii's position in the central Pacific Ocean relative to North America.

View of Allerton Garden with palm trees and lush greenery near Lawai Beach, bordered by rocky coastline and the ocean in Kauai, Hawaii.

A multi-tiered waterfall cascades through lush, green tropical vegetation and moss-covered rocks at Onomea Falls in Hawaii.

The Subaru Telescope, a large cylindrical silver observatory building, stands on a barren slope at Mauna Kea Observatory in Hawaii.

Physical map of Hawaii and the Hawaiian Islands, showing major islands, mountain peaks, volcanoes, channels, and notable geographic features. Insets provide detailed views of Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Maui, Lanai, Kahoolawe, and the island of Hawaii, highlighting elevations, lava flows, and national parks. A locator map in the center shows Hawaii's position in the Pacific Ocean relative to North America.

Kilauea volcano

Fly over the Hawaiian Islands to see volcanoes, black and white sand beaches, and Waimea Canyon

Watch clouds form over the Pacific Ocean and waterfalls pour down Mount Waialeale on the Hawaiian island of Kauai

Observe Polynesian culture through dance performances telling legends of ancient South Seas people and gods

Learn about the Hawaiin traditions and customs - carving canoes, tattoos, and the hula dance

Wander through the mountains, across valleys, down rivers, and along the coasts of the U.S. Pacific region

See All Videos, Images and Interactives →

Topics

U.S. state current U.S. governors Reciprocity Treaty of 1875 list of U.S. states’ dates of admission to the union list of cities and towns in the United States Pearl Harbor attack Benjamin Harrison and Grover Cleveland: Controversy over Hawaii tourism Pearl Harbor and the “Back Door to War” Theory Maui wildfires of 2023 California New York Texas Washington Alaska Florida Massachusetts New Jersey Virginia Pennsylvania

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