Hawaii

American  

[huh-wahy-ee, -wah-, -wah-yuh, hah-vah-ee] / həˈwaɪ i, -ˈwɑ-, həˈwɑ yə, hɑˈvɑ i /

Or Hawai'i

noun

1. a state of the United States comprising the northern Pacific islands of Hawaii, Kahoolawe, Kauai, Lanai, Maui, Molokai, Niihau, and Oahu: a U.S. territory 1900–59; admitted to the Union 1959. 6,424 sq. mi. (16,715 sq. km). Honolulu. HI (for use with zip code), Haw.

2. Official Name Island of Hawaii.  Also called the Big Island.  Also called Hawaii Island,.  the largest island of Hawaii, in the southeastern part of the state. 4,028 sq. mi. (10,430 sq. km).

3. Kingdom of Hawaii. the Hawaiian Kingdom.

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Hawaii British  

/ həˈwaɪɪ /

noun

1. Abbreviation: Ha.   HI.  Former name: Sandwich Islands.  a state of the US in the central Pacific, consisting of over 20 volcanic islands and atolls, including Hawaii, Maui, Oahu, Kauai, and Molokai: discovered by Captain Cook in 1778; annexed by the US in 1898; naval base at Pearl Harbor attacked by the Japanese in 1941, a major cause of US entry into World War II; became a state in 1959. Capital: Honolulu. Pop: 1 257 608 (2003 est). Area: 16 640 sq km (6425 sq miles)

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Hawaii Cultural  

1. State located in the Pacific Ocean southwest of the mainland United States; consists mainly of a chain of eight islands, including Hawaii, the largest, and Oahu, location of Honolulu, the state's capital and largest city.

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Spelling

Hawaii and Hawai'i are used interchangeably, with Hawaii being predominant, especially in government. It is conventional for departments of the state to use Hawaii in letterheads, seals, flags, signs, forms, licenses, and other official documents. It is not, however, unusual to find Hawai'i within the text of a letter, report, etc., that has Hawaii in the letterhead or seal.

Discover More

Location of Pearl Harbor.

Fiftieth state, admitted in 1959.

Etymology

Origin of Hawaii

From Hawaiian Hawai'i

Compare meaning

How does hawaii compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• Alaska vs. Hawaii

Example Sentences

Demand has been hurt by unrest in Mexico and rainstorms and flooding in Hawaii, which represent 30% of its capacity.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Aquaman” star Jason Momoa has revealed he was forced to evacuate his family’s Hawaii home after a dangerous storm devastated the area with historic flooding.

From MarketWatch

Hawaii’s House passed a bill this month amending the definition of gambling to prohibit prediction markets for events related to “catastrophe, contests, death, legislation, national security, people, politics and sports.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Chuck Norris, a celebrated martial artist and action star known for ‘Walker, Texas Ranger,’ died Thursday in Kauai, Hawaii, his family said Friday.

From Los Angeles Times

More than 230 people had to be rescued, Governor Josh Green told Hawaii News Now on Sunday, but officials have not recorded any fatalities to date.

From BBC