Educational Facts about Hawaii

The History of Hawai'i

1. Hawaiʻi Was an Independent Kingdom

Before becoming a U.S. state, Hawaiʻi was a sovereign nation ruled by a monarchy. King Kamehameha I unified the Hawaiian Islands in 1810 after years of conflict, establishing the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi.

2. Overthrow of the Hawaiian Monarchy

In 1893, Queen Liliʻuokalani, Hawaiʻi’s last monarch, was overthrown by American businessmen and settlers with support from the U.S. military. This led to the illegal annexation of Hawaiʻi in 1898, which remains a source of political and cultural tension today.

3. Hawaiʻi Became a State in 1959

Hawaiʻi officially became the 50th state of the United States on August 21, 1959, after a controversial vote that excluded many Native Hawaiians from the process.

4. Hawaiian Language and Culture Were Once Banned

After the overthrow, the Hawaiian language was banned from schools in 1896. Thanks to revitalization efforts, the language is now taught in schools, and ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi is recognized as an official state language.

5. Volcanic Origins

The Hawaiian Islands are formed by a hotspot in the Earth’s crust, creating islands one after another as the Pacific Plate drifts northwest. The Big Island (Hawaiʻi) is the youngest and still growing due to eruptions from Kīlauea and Mauna Loa.

6. Unique Ecosystems and Endemic Species

About 90% of Hawaiʻi’s native species are found nowhere else on Earth, including plants, birds, and insects. It’s considered one of the most ecologically unique places on the planet.

7. Pearl Harbor and WWII

On December 7, 1941, the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor near Honolulu drew the U.S. into World War II. The site is now a national memorial and a major part of American history.

8. Hula Is More Than a Dance

Hula is a sacred cultural tradition used to preserve oral history, tell stories, and honor the gods. There are two main types: Hula Kahiko (ancient) and Hula ʻAuana (modern).

9. Surfing Originated in Hawaiʻi

Heʻe nalu, or surfing, began in ancient Hawaiʻi. It wasn’t just recreation—it had spiritual and social significance, and chiefs often had the best boards and surf spots.

10. Native Hawaiian Sovereignty Movement

Today, many Native Hawaiians advocate for sovereignty, land rights, and cultural preservation. The protests at Mauna Kea, where a telescope is planned on sacred land, highlight ongoing struggles for self-determination.