Hawaii

state, United States
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites
Britannica Websites
Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.
Also known as: Aloha State, Hawaii Islands, Hawaiian Islands, Sandwich Islands
Hawaii: state seal
Seal of Hawaii
Hawaii: nene
Hawaii: nene
Capital:
Honolulu
Population:
(2020) 1,455,271; (2022 est.) 1,440,196
Governor:
Josh Green (Democrat)
Date Of Admission:
Aug. 21, 1959
U.S. Senators:
Brian Schatz (Democrat) Mazie Hirono (Democrat)

Recent News

Jun. 8, 2023, 8:00 PM ET (AP)
As tourists flock to view volcano's latest eruption, Hawaii urges mindfulness, respect
Hawaii tourism officials are urging tourists to be respectful when flocking to a national park on the Big Island to get a glimpse of the latest eruption of Kilauea
Jun. 7, 2023, 10:31 PM ET (AP)
Kilauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes, begins erupting after 3-month pause
Kilauea has resumed its activity with a spectacular display of lava fountains, safely away from people and structures in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The eruption has been ongoing since Wednesday, after a three-month pause.
Jun. 2, 2023, 9:30 PM ET (AP)
Hawaii allows more concealed carry after US Supreme Court ruling, but bans guns in most places
Hawaii Gov. Josh Green has signed legislation that will allow more people to carry concealed firearms
May 29, 2023, 1:53 AM ET (AP)
Pay per wave: Native Hawaiians divided over artificial surf lagoon in the birthplace of surfing
A prominent Hawaiian waterman wants to build another Hawaii wave pool facility using the latest technology to simulate the ideal conditions top-notch surfers need to stay competitive

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 Twain as “the loveliest fleet of islands that lies anchored in any ocean.” The name is thought to derive from Hawaiki, the former name of ...(100 of 6788 words)