The tropical paradise of Hawaii is filled with scenic beaches, lush rainforests, incredible wildlife, vibrant culture, and so much more. This exotic island chain in the Pacific Ocean has countless surprises in store. Read on to uncover 17 of the most interesting Hawaii fun facts.
#1 – Hawaii has its own time zone.
Most people don’t realize that Hawaii falls outside the traditional U.S. time zones. Situated 2,500 miles from California, the islands use Hawaiian Standard Time which is GMT-10, putting Hawaii 5 hours behind Eastern Time. This means you gain hours on your trip to Hawaii, making your vacation seem even longer! Well, kind of. Also, Hawaii doesn’t recognize daylight savings time. So it’s always the same good time in the Pacific. The Hawaii fun facts don’t stop there.
#2 – Hawaii has the only royal palace in the United States.
‘Iolani Palace in Honolulu was the official residence of the Hawaiian monarchy in the late 1800s. The ornate, European-inspired palace was completed in 1882 and even had electricity installed before the White House. Visitors can tour the palace which has been carefully restored to its original glory and beauty when Hawaii was its own sovereign nation. Definitely one of the more unique Hawaii fun facts.
#3 – Hawaiian pizza was invented in Canada.
Here’s a surprising Hawaii fun fact: Hawaiian pizza with pineapple and ham toppings was first created in 1962 by a Greek immigrant chef named Sam Panopoulis who ran a restaurant in Ontario, Canada. Pineapples seemed exotic so he decided to pair the sweet golden fruit with salty ham and cheese. An odd yet now beloved combination was born. An Italian pizza, with Hawaiian toppings, created by a Greek guy in Canada? Sounds about right. I’ll take two.
#4 – Surfing originated in Hawaii around 1,500 years ago.
Long before surfing became a global phenomenon, Polynesian settlers were riding waves in Hawaii as early as 400 AD using boards carved from wood. The sport was first documented in writing by Captain James Cook when he arrived in 1778. Today Hawaii remains the surfing mecca with epic waves along the North Shore during winter. The Hawaii fun facts show that surfing belongs to the islands.
#5 – Hawaii has its own endemic species of coffee.
Coffee lovers take note. The Kona region of Hawaii’s Big Island produces its own variety of coffee that thrives in the rich volcanic soil and tropical climate. Grown on small farms, 100% Kona coffee beans produce a brew with hints of spices, nuts, and chocolate. A unique coffee experience you can only get in Hawaii.
#6 – Hawaii accounts for less than 1% of U.S. land area.
Hawaii may seem vast but the total land area is just 10,931 square miles, compared to 3.8 million square miles in the entire United States. That means all the Hawaiian Islands combined account for less than 1% of U.S. land. One more fascinating geographic Hawaii fun fact.
#7 – Hawaii has its own dialect of the English language.
Living in isolation, the Hawaiian language called Ōlelo Hawaiʻi developed, as did its own distinct dialect of English known as Hawaiian Pidgin. It blends English with Hawaiian, Japanese, Chinese, and Portuguese words. You’ll hear this pidgin language spoken among locals in a laid-back, singsong cadence. No visit to Hawaii is complete without encountering some pidgin.
#8 – Hawaii fun facts: Hawaii is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands.
Obvious yet easily overlooked, this fun Hawaii fact bears repeating. Hawaii is the only state comprised of islands, totaling 137 spread across 1,500 miles in the central Pacific Ocean. The eight main islands are Niʻihau, Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Kahoʻolawe, Maui, and Hawaiʻi (also known as the Big Island).
#9 – Hawaii has the widest variety of climates in the world.
Temperatures at the volcanic summits of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea on the Big Island sometimes drop below 0°F while at lower elevations near sea level, the average highs are 85°F year-round. The tropical islands see only two seasons, both warm, but with varying rainfall. This creates an incredibly diverse climate.
#10 – Hawaii is the only U.S. state that commercially grows coffee, cacao, and vanilla.
Thanks to its tropical climate, Hawaii produces all three of these treasured crops. The volcanic soil nourishes cacao trees and vanilla orchids introduced from Mexico and Africa that give us chocolate and vanilla. And we already learned about Hawaii’s historic Kona coffee production in fact #5. It’s basically a foodie paradise with amazing soil. A great combination and a unique Hawaii fun fact.
Keep reading below for more Hawaii fun facts!
#11 – The state fish of Hawaii is called Humuhumunukunukuapua’a.
Try saying that 10 times fast! The reef triggerfish with black and yellow stripes is Hawaii’s official state fish. But locals simply call it humuhumu for short. The lengthy Hawaiian name roughly translates to “fish with a snout like a pig”. Much easier to just say humuhumu.
#12 – More Hawaii fun facts: The Hawaiian alphabet contains only 13 letters.
Here is one of the more perplexing Hawaii fun facts: the traditional Hawaiian language (called ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi) uses a 13-letter alphabet developed by New England missionaries who standardized the language into written form in the 1820s. The letters are A E I O U H K L M N P W and ‘ (called ‘okina). The alphabet lacks other consonants like B, C, D, F, G, J, R, S, T, V, X, Y, Z.
Hawaiian contains only about 2,000 unique native vocabulary words. Which is pretty small compared to English which has over 170,000 words and French which potentially has well over 250,000 words. To expand its level of meaning, Hawaiian uses a lot of compound words, reduplication, and complex word formations. For example, “aloha” means love or affection, while “aloha aloha” intensifies the meaning to deep love.
#13 – Surfers have to share the water with sharks.
With crystal waters and giant waves, Hawaiian shores attract surfers worldwide. But below the waves lurk predators. Large tiger sharks and hammerheads frequent the waters, as Hawaiians have worshipped sharks for centuries. Luckily attacks are rare, but surfers accept the risk. As usual, it’s never a dull moment in Hawaii.
#14 – Hawaii has its own version of wintertime holiday celebrations.
In the continental U.S. Americans celebrate Christmas. Hawaiians do too. But Hawaiians also celebrate an annual Makahiki festival from November through February with parades, hula dances, ukulele music, feasting, and more. It honors Lono, the Hawaiian god associated with agriculture and fertility. The timing coincides with the annual return of humpback whales.
#15 – Ancient Hawaiians carved petroglyphs into lava rock.
Across the islands, important Hawaiian cultural sites contain petroglyphs, or rock carvings, etched into lava stone centuries ago. Puʻu Loa in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park boasts over 23,000 intricate petroglyphs dating back to 1200 AD. These carvings hold cultural and spiritual significance related to legends, genealogy, agriculture, and more.
#16 – Hawaii is home to the world’s largest volcano and mountain.
We’ve uncovered many geographic Hawaii fun facts, but here’s a biggie. The volcanic mass of Mauna Loa on Hawaii’s Big Island rises 13,679 feet above sea level and extends about 56,000 feet from the sea floor. This makes it the largest volcano on Earth and its summit is higher than Mount Everest when measured from the base underwater.
#17 – Hawaii experiences tsunamis more frequently than any other U.S. state.
Sitting in the Ring of Fire over shifting tectonic plates, Hawaii faces increased volcanic activity and earthquakes that can trigger devastating tsunamis. Records indicate tsunamis have struck Hawaii about every 7 years. Hilo on the Big Island has been hit hardest, including a deadly 46-foot wave in 1946 and a 60-foot wave in 1960.
Hawaii Fun Facts: Wrap-Up
There you have it. 17 entertaining Hawaii fun facts that provide a glimpse into what makes Hawaii such an enchanting place. If you’ve never visited this national treasure, it comes highly recommended. From surfing the beautiful blue waves to drinking world-class Kona coffee, Hawaii’s geography, natural wonders, and culture create an experience found nowhere else on Earth.
Have any other captivating Hawaii fun facts to share? Let us know!
