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Hawaii
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Hawaii: flag Hawaii: state seal Hawaii: nene 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. 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.
Fly over the Hawaiian Islands to see volcanoes, black and white sand beaches, and Waimea Canyon
At a Glance
Bright orange lava and thick white smoke rise from the crater of Kilauea volcano in Hawaii, viewed from above with the surrounding dark landscape visible.
Hawaii summary
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Hawaii: flag
Hawaii: flag

Hawaii

state, United States
Also known as: Aloha State, Hawaii Islands, Hawaiian Islands, Sandwich Islands(Show More)
Written by
John Heckathorn
Director of integrated media for the aio Group. Contributor to Honolulu Magazine and The Best of Hawaii.
John HeckathornAll
Fact-checked by
Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
Britannica Editors
Last updated
•History

Hawaii, constituent state of the United States of America. Hawaii (Hawaiian: Hawai‘i) became the 50th U.S. state on August 21, 1959. Hawaii is a group of volcanic islands in the central Pacific Ocean. The islands lie 2,397 miles (3,857 km) from San Francisco, California, to the east and 5,293 miles (8,516 km) from Manila, in the Philippines, to the west. The capital is Honolulu, located on the island of Oahu. Hawaii was characterized by Mark...

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