The state of Hawaii consists of eight larger, populated islands (with the exception of the island of Kahoolawe, which is not populated) and 124 small, uninhabited islands, reefs and atolls stretching from the Nihoa, located about 280 miles (450 km) northwest of Honolulu, all the way to the Kure Atoll, located further northwest.
The Hawaiian archipelago spans the distance of 1,524 miles (2,451 km) making Hawaii the longest island chain in the world.
The highest recorded temperature in Hawaii is 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 C), measured in Pahala on April 27, 1931, and the lowest is 12 degrees Fahrenheit (-11.1 C), measured on Mauna Kea on May 17, 1979. (The lowest temperature under 3,000 feet (914 m) altitude was 56 F/13.3 C). Among all the 49 continental United States (except Alaska), Hawaii has both the highest state minimum of 12 F (-11.1 C) and the lowest state maximum of 100 F (37.8 C). (Alaska’s highest recorded temperature is also 100 F/37.8 C). Hawaii’s average daytime temperature in July is 82 F (27.7 C) and the average daytime temperature in January is 72 F (22.2 C).
Hawaii was the 50th state admitted to the union on August 20, 1959.
By a legislative act, Hawaii became officially known as the “Aloha State” in 1959.
When measured from east to west, Hawaii is the widest state in the United States.
Hawaii has the highest population density in the United States.
Hawaii is the only U.S. state that grows coffee. Coffee plantations in Hawaii make up 6,200 acres. In 2003, 8.5 million pounds of coffee were produced.
Sugar is mainly produced on Maui and Kauai, on altogether 70,000 acres. In 2002, 340,000 tons of raw sugar were produced. One ton of water is needed to make a pound of sugar.
Hawaii produces about 320,000 tons of pineapple each year.
Hiram Fong of Hawaii was the first Asian-American in the Unites States Senate. Fong is a descendant from Chinese immigrants and was elected to the Senate in 1959.
In the 2000 census, more than 20 percent of Hawaii’s population claimed multi-ethnic backgrounds, far more than any other U.S. state.
Hawaii has its own time zone. It’s called Hawaiian Standard Time. There is no daylight savings time in Hawaii, which means that in summer, Hawaii is two hours behind the U.S. West Coast, while in winter, Hawaii is three hours behind the U.S. West Coast.
The state of Hawaii has four counties: City and county of Honolulu, Kauai, Maui and Hawaii (the Big Island).
The Hawaiian alphabet consists of only twelve letters. The five vowels are A,E, I, O,U. And the seven consonants are H,K,L,M,N,P,W.
Hawaii is the only U.S. state whose land area is increasing (from volcanic eruptions).
Hawaii is the only U.S. state whose majority of people are non-white.
Among all U.S. states, Hawaii has the highest percentage of women in the workforce, about 63 percent as of 2003.
More birds have become extinct in Hawaii than in any other part of the world. A total of 26 species died out and 27 more are endangered by changes in their natural habitats, forest destruction, mongooses and man.
The Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge northwest of Kauai is the world’s largest bird sanctuary. It is home to many seabirds.
Hawaii had the oldest newspaper west of the Rocky Mountains – the Sandwich Island Gazette, 1836-1839.
Hawaii has the highest number of married couples living with others, mainly because Hawaii has the lowest percentage of home ownership.
Hawaii has the highest life expectancy in the United States. Life expectancy for males is 75, for females 80 years.
Hawaii has the fewest overweight people in the United States. About 19.7 percent of Hawaii residents are overweight, compared to about 30 percent on the mainland.