Hawaii

Or Ha·wai·'i

[huh-wahy-ee, -wah-, -wah-yuh, hah-vah-ee]

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.

Hawaii

/ 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)

Hawaii

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.

Spelling Note

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.

Location of Pearl Harbor.

Fiftieth state, admitted in 1959.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Hawaii¹

From Hawaiian Hawai'i

Example Sentences

At issue are laws in California, Hawaii and three other states that generally prohibit carrying guns on private or public property that is open to the public.

From Los Angeles Times

He struck instant sonic gold with this mystical evocation of Hawaii, wondrous in sound, Lanzilotti, a hopeful good start.

From Los Angeles Times

Every few months, volunteers would come two weeks at a time from Connecticut, Hawaii, Michigan and Washington to assist with the framing, siding and painting.

From Los Angeles Times

The answers took us all over — Hawaii, Utah, Arizona, England and Hermosa Beach, for instance — for all sorts of reasons they share with us below.

From Los Angeles Times

More than 70% of the reports were from the coastal waters off California, Alaska, Hawaii and Massachusetts.

From Los Angeles Times