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Island Facts
The July 1, 1991 resident population for the State
of Hawai`i was 1,134,800 persons. (Between the 1980 and 1990
Census counts -- 964,691 and 1,108,229 persons -- Hawai`i's population
grew 14.9 percent).
The State Seal has a heraldic shield in the center and a figure of
King Kamehameha I on its right side and the Goddess of Liberty holding
the Hawaiian flag on its left. Below the shield is the Phoenix
surrounded by taro leaves, banana foliage, and sprays of maidenhair
fern. Statehood was achieved in 1959. With color added, the seal
becomes the State Coat of Arms.
The State Flower is the yellow Hibiscus Brackenridgei. The official
flowers and colors for each island is as follows:
Hawai`i, Red Lehua (Ohia), color Red
Maui, Lokelani (Pink Cottage Rose), color Pink
Moloka`i, White Kukui Blossom, color Green
Kaho`olawe, Hinahina (Beach Heliotrope), color Gray
Lana`i, Kaunaoa (Yellow and Orange Air Plant), color Yellow
O`ahu, Ilima, color Yellow
Kaua`i, Mokihana (Green Berry), color Purple
Ni`ihau, White Pupu Shell, color White
Admission to Statehood: August 21, 1959
Area Code: 808
Economy:
Agriculture: Sugarcane, pineapples, nursery stock,
livestock, macadamia nuts.
Industry: Tourism, food processing, apparel, fabricated metal
products, stone, clay, and glass products.
Flag: The State Flag has eight stripes (representing the eight
major islands), of white, red and blue; the field closely resembles
the Union Jack of Great Britain, from which the original flag
apparently was designed.
Anthem: Hawai`i Pono`i, written by King Kalakaua and set to
music by Henry Berger, the Royal Bandmaster. It was also the
anthem of the Kingdom and the Territory of Hawai`i.
The State Bird: The Nene (pronounced "nay-nay") is a land bird
and a variety of goose. It has adapted itself to life in the
harsh lava country by transforming its webbed feet into a claw-like
shape and modifying its wing structure for shorter flights.
Hunting and wild animals all but destroyed the species until they were
protected by law and a restoration project established in 1949.
Marine Mammal: The Humpback Whale, an annual visitor to
Hawaiian waters and so designated in 1979.
State Fish: The Humuhumunukunukuapua`a (pronounced "humuhumunukunukuapua`a").
Motto: The words Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono which mean
"The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness." The
saying is attributed to King Kamehameha III as of July 31, 1843, when
the Hawaiian flag once more was raised after a brief period of
unauthorized ursurpation of authority by a British admiral.
The Eight Islands of Hawaii
Big Island of Hawai'i
(Population 130,400, Area 4,028 sq. miles)
The "Big Island" has spectacular contrasts...the mighty volcanoes
Mauna Loa (13,679 feet) and Kilauea, lofty snow clad Mauna Kea (13,796
feet), the Ka`u Desert, gorgeous waterfalls, the Puna Fern Forest, the
colorful orchids of Hilo. The island grows sugar, coffee, cattle
and macadamia nuts. Landmarks: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park,
Kealakekua Bay, Kailua-Kona, Kawaihae, Parker Ranch, Waipio Valley.
Maui
(Population 108,000, Area 727 sq. miles)
The "Valley Isle" produces sugar, pineapple, cattle, horses. The
10,023-foot Haleakala is the largest dormant volcano crater in the
world. Lahaina was Hawaii's capital before 1845, and still has
some of the atmosphere of an old whaling town. Nearby are the
Kaanapali and Wailea resort areas and golf courses. Hana and Iao
Valley draw many visitors.
O'ahu
(Population 863,100, Area 597 sq. miles)
The most populated island, where Honolulu is the Capital City, the
principal port, the major airport, and business and financial center,
and the educational heart of the State. O`ahu is the military
command center of the Pacific. Waikiki is the visitor center.
Landmarks: Nuuanu Pali, Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor.
Ni'ihau
(Population 230, Area 69 sq. miles)
Privately owned island, with livestock raising as its principal
industry; highly limited access by general public through helicopter
landings at uninhabited sites. Legend says it was the original
home of the goddess Pele.
Kaua'i
(Population 54,200, Area 552 sq. miles)
The "Garden Island" offers magnificent scenery and lush vegetation,
beautiful waterfalls, the spectacular Waimea Canyon, the great
"hidden" valley of Kalalau, colorful tropical plants and flowers.
Landmarks: Hanalei Bay, Wailua River, Nawiliwili Bay, Poipu Beach.
Moloka'i
(Population 6,717, Area 260 sq. miles)
The "Friendly Isle" has diversified agriculture, ranching, tourism and
the world's highest sea cliffs along its northern coast. On a
13-square-mile peninsula below high cliffs is Kalaupapa, the Hansen's
Disease settlement, officially called Kalawao County, a National
Historical Park.
Lana'i
(Population 2,426, Area 140 sq. miles)
Hawaii's "Secluded Island." Formerly known as the "Pineapple
Island," Almost the entire island was until recently a Dole Company
pineapple plantation but is now phasing in tourism, and is home to two
new world class resorts.
Kaho'olawe
(Uninhabited, Area 45 sq. miles)
Once used as a target by U.S. Navy and Air Force which are cleaning up
unexploded shells. No one is allowed to go ashore without
permission.
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