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.

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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

Evangeline Lilly says she has brain damage after fainting and falling on a boulder at a beach in Hawaii last year.

From Los Angeles Times

However, one Canadian-listed outfit, the Metals Company, has already applied for a U.S. license to mine in the Pacific Ocean between Mexico and Hawaii.

From The Wall Street Journal

Court filings show she was given a $1,000 monthly allowance from Abatti and the pair vacationed around the world — in places such as Italy, Switzerland and Hawaii — with their children, family and friends.

From Los Angeles Times

They even looked at Hawaii’s schedule, since schools that face Hawaii receive an exemption to allow for an extra game.

From Los Angeles Times

But I love it because I grew up in Hawaii.

From Los Angeles Times