Discover the Aloha State: Top 26 Fun Facts About Hawaii You Need to Know

1. Hawaiian Coffee Paradise

If your morning Joe has been feeling like an uninspiring cup of mediocrity lately, it might just be the universe nudging you to hop on a plane and seek out some true brew-tiful enlightenment: Hawaii is the only state in the US where coffee is grown commercially, covering 6,900 acres of land and annually producing 5 million pounds of green coffee, known worldwide for its unique terroir and equitable supply chain.
Source => perfectdailygrind.com

2. Royal Electric Palace

Who needs candles when you can have electricity, right, royals? Aloha to the Iolani Palace, where Hawaiian kings and queens were already ahead of the Edison curve: In 1890, it became one of the first royal residences in the world to have electric lights, thanks to the Hawaiian Electric Company, which was founded in 1888 and still powers over 95% of Hawaii's population today.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

Did you know that during winter solstice, Anchorage, Alaska enjoys a mere 5.5 hours of daylight, creating a beautiful pastel landscape and prime opportunities for spotting the Northern Lights? Discover more intriguing Alaskan facts!

=> Fun Facts about Alaska

3. Endangered Species Battle

Who needs reality TV when you have Hawaii: the ultimate endangered species battle royale! With more than 400 contestants vying for survival and facing the unique challenges of human interference and invasive species, Hawaii takes home the dubious crown of having the highest concentration of endangered species per square mile and losing more native species than anywhere else on Earth. Thankfully, teams like The Nature Conservancy gladly take up the daunting role of conservation referees, creating projects and protected areas to help preserve the islands' diverse and irreplaceable flora and fauna.
Source => goway.com

4. Kilauea: Taller Than Everest

Next time Kilauea calls for a check-up, remind this "volatile" volcano to take it down a notch: At a staggering 10,150 meters from the ocean floor to its highest point, Hawaii's Kilauea tower's 1,296 meters taller than Mount Everest, erupting spectacularly for over 200 years and causing quite the housing crisis with 875 acres of land covered and 39 houses engulfed in the Royal Gardens area.
Source => amnh.org

5. Ukulele's Rise to Fame

Who needs guitars when you've got a flea orchestra? Hawaii's tuneful takeover began with a tiny, stringed sensation: The ukulele, which made its Hawaiian debut in 1879, was introduced by Portuguese settlers from Madeira, who brought along an instrument called the braguinha which was later adapted to suit local music preferences. Under the support of King David Kalakaua, the ukulele grew in popularity and even took the hula dancing world by storm, giving it the lively rhythm we know and love today.
Source => metmuseum.org

6. Oink-a-doodle-doo Livestock

You’d think Hawaiians are like, "Moo? Meh. We prefer swine and poultry": While South Dakota boasts a cattle extravaganza, Hawaii steps to the beat of its own livestock drum. The Aloha State houses over 130,000 farmed animals, but cows barely make the cut with a mere 1300. What hog the limelight in Hawaii are pigs and chickens, raking in over $150 million in pork and poultry sales each year. Cowabunga? More like oink-a-doodle-doo!
Source => beef2live.com

7. Lanai's Off-road Adventure

If you're tired of life in the fast lane and searching for a bona fide 'off-road' experience, Lanai's got the dirt on that: Over 97% of the island's roads are unpaved tracks, making a jeep mandatory for adventurous explorers wanting to reach the picturesque Garden of the Gods and Shipwreck Beach—just remember to pack well and check conditions, as the road less traveled here tends to be less forgiving!
Source => matadornetwork.com

8. Captain Cook's Hawaiian Encounter

Before being Captain Crunch'd by Europeans, Hawaiians enjoyed island life, surfing, and the occasional luau: Captain James Cook's arrival in 1778 marked the first extensive contact between native Hawaiians and Europeans, ultimately impacting Hawaiian culture and paving the way for future foreign influence.
Source => nps.gov

9. Hawaii's Chocolate Scene

Forrest Gump might have gone bonkers for a chocolate plantation, but Hawaii said, "Hold My Mai Tai": amid its pineapple and macadamia nut domination, Hawaii embraces a blooming cacao industry, hosting small farms and craft chocolate makers like Lonohana and Manoa Chocolate, successfully transforming island-grown cacao into luxurious chocolate bars.
Source => damecacao.com

10. Snowy Mauna Kea Summit

Just like certain Monty Python character's rampant denial of winter, Hawaii's Mauna Kea is the tropical mountain that loves to exclaim, "I'm not dead yet, I think I'll go for a walk in the snow!": Despite its tropical location, Mauna Kea's summit can experience freezing temperatures and snowfall during winter months, with its diverse climate ranging from balmy sea level to frosty peaks, making it one of only two mountains in the Hawaiian chain with such unique snowy flirtations.
Source => a-z-animals.com

11. Princess Kaʻiulani's Grand Name

Who's got the most royally epic name in Hawaii? Meet Princess Kaʻiulani, the niece of Queen Victoria and the duchess of "Aloha" in the Hawaiian Kingdom: Her name is a tribute to her young-departed aunt Anna Kaʻiulani and the mighty Queen Victoria herself, who played a crucial role in restoring the sovereignty and independence of Hawaii during Kamehameha III's reign.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

12. State Fish with Attitude

There once was a fish with a snoot, whose attitude was bold and astute, with a swaggering stride, it ruled far and wide, in a realm filled with swimmers en route: The humuhumunukunukuapua'a, Hawaii's official state fish, boasts an adorable pig-like nose and fiercely feisty temperament. These fascinating carnivores can reach up to 18 inches in length and four pounds in weight, typically found ruling over their tide pool kingdoms, lagoon fiefdoms, and coral reef realms in Hawaii and the central or southern Pacific Ocean. If you ever wish to witness the majestic presence of these quirky fish, don your snorkel and venture into their watery world!
Source => bossfrog.com

13. Gilligan's Island Research Home

Guess who was marooned on a research paradise? The original castaways of Gilligan's Island! : Coconut Island, besides being an iconic filming location for the famous TV show, is home to the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, providing advanced research facilities and access to diverse marine habitats.
Source => soest.hawaii.edu

14. Hawaiian Pizza: Not Hawaiian

Who needs a tropical vacation when you can indulge in the sweet embrace of pineapple on pizza, right? Well, buckle up, fruit enthusiasts; our Hawaiian pizza is not a product of balmy island breezes: In reality, the scrumptious concoction we know and love was birthed by a Greek immigrant, Sam Panopoulos, at his restaurant called Satellite in Chatham, Canada. The name "Hawaiian" was merely adopted from the pineapple can, with no direct connections to Hawaii itself. So, raise a slice to the surprising origins of this fruity delight, as you ponder the vast ocean between you and its so-called homeland.
Source => us.gozney.com

15. May Day = Lei Day

When plucking petals becomes a state-sanctioned celebration, you know you're in paradise: Hawaii commemorates May Day as Lei Day since 1927, a unique holiday dedicated to the much-admired tradition of crafting and bestowing fragrant and colorful flower lei, with each of the eight main Hawaiian Islands being symbolized by a distinct flower and lei, such as the pink Lokelani flower representing Maui.
Source => locationshawaii.com

16. Hawaii's Long Life Expectancy

Pineapples, sunshine, and the fountain of youth: Hawaii takes the US cake for tiki torching toward triple digits, boasting the highest life expectancy at birth with a breezy 80.7 years in 2020, according to CDC data. Pass the coconut water and ukulele, because no other state strummed past the big 8-0!
Source => cnbc.com

17. Locavore Heaven in Hawaii

When Hawaii isn't too busy serenading us on the ukulele or holding luau feasts with poi-cious treats: It ranks No. 8 on the Locavore Index, thanks to 101 farmers' markets and 23 CSAs working tirelessly to promote locally-produced, fresh, and healthy food – all while fighting the good fight against high land prices and expensive labor. Aloha, Mother Earth!
Source => smartcitiesdive.com

18. Military Paradise

Hawaii: where the aloha spirit meets the stars and stripes with a hula dance and a military march! Feast your eyes on this not-so-tropical delight: Hawaii’s military presence contributes a staggering $15 billion and approximately 102,000 jobs to the local economy, making it a paradise for both islanders and Uncle Sam alike.
Source => realhawaii.co

19. Stargazing at Mauna Kea

Get your head out of the clouds, or better yet, bring it to Hawaii: Mauna Kea boasts the world's largest astronomical observatory, with 13,798 feet of altitude to satisfy your celestial cravings, along with a dozen telescopes at the summit and a Visitor Center for a stargazing experience that's out of this world.
Source => wandereroftheworld.co.uk

20. Black Sand Beaches

No sunbathing goth's dreamscape is complete without Hawaii's own mystical beaches: Hawaii is home to unique black sand beaches, like Punaluu and Waianapanapa, formed by rapidly cooling lava fragments that create tiny basalt rocks, which then erode into stunning black sand as dark as your sense of humor.
Source => bossfrog.com

21. Multiracial Melting Pot

If Hawaii were a fruit salad, you'd find the tastiest mix of flavors ever served: This tropical state boasts the highest percentage of multiracial residents in the US, with a whopping 24.29% identifying as two or more races according to recent ACS data.
Source => worldpopulationreview.com

22. No Gambling in Hawaii

In Hawaii, rolling the dice is best left in the hands of the ocean waves themselves: there are no casinos or legal gambling available on the islands, but visitors can revel in surfing, exploring natural wonders, local cuisine, and the aloha spirit.
Source => gotourshawaii.com

23. Dancing Merrie Monarch

Did you hear about the Hawaiian king who just couldn't stop dancing at parties? He was a hula lot of fun! Merrie monarch, indeed: King Kalākaua, Hawaii's last ruling king, revitalized Hawaiian culture in the late 1800s, and today, his influence can be explored through the Kalākaua Legacy Tour at the ʻIolani Palace where his Coronation Suit and Masonic Apron are on display.
Source => iolanipalace.org

24. World's Busiest Costco

Aloha, shoppers! Who knew an island paradise could turn into a Costco conga line twist: the Iwilei Costco location on Oahu Island, Hawaii, boasts the title of world's busiest, with a staggering 1 in 4 residents on the island being members, as corroborated by Zippia's rankings.
Source => hawaiinewsnow.com

25. Love-struck Whale Migration

What do love-struck leviathans and winter tourists have in common? They both know the best place to have a whale of a time is in Hawaii: Every winter, thousands of humpback whales migrate to Hawaii's warm and shallow waters to mate, give birth, and raise their young, notably within the hallowed grounds of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary! Just remember to maintain a respectful 100 yards distance from these giant lovebirds–er, whales–and give them space to do their thing. If you spot any violations or entanglements, there are hotlines available so you can easily blow the whistle! (Get it?)
Source => hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov

26. Puka Shell Fashion

Who needs diamonds when you can rock some hole-hearted accessories? Hawaii's got the perfect pearls of wisdom: Puka shells, once popular in the 1970s, are actually remnants of cone snail shells found on Hawaiian beaches. With a tiny hole – "puka" in Hawaiian – perfect for stringing, these shells have adorned surfers and celebrities alike in various shades and imitations.
Source => encyclopedia.com