This was in part inspired by the recent Facebook activity of people posting lists of places they have visited, with interesting facts, photos, and more. We decided to do something similar here.
We know that you guys are the ultimate Hawaii aficionados, so we are wondering too, how many of these facts did you already know? Okay, let’s get started.
Which of These Things Draw You Back to Hawaii?
1. Rainbows are in the sky and seen in our people. According to Pew Research, Hawaii is home to the nation’s largest share of multiracial Americans.
2. Not only is Hawaii a healthy place to live but it is also rated as having the best health care system in the country. It is a small and fragile system, but for a variety of reasons, the overall quality is very high.
3. Second largest of all the world’s volcanoes, Mauna Loa, is found on the Big Island, together with four others. Mauna Loa has erupted over 30 times in the past two centuries and represents a million years of growth starting from the ocean floor up.
4. Movies and TV shows filmed in Hawaii make it easy to experience the islands from afar. There have been well over 100 movies partially or entirely made here starting in 1913. Which are your favorites? Back in the 1980’s, Rob was a big fan of Magnum P.I. Most recently there is NCIS Hawaii and White Lotus.
5. Due to volcanic activity, the landmass is always changing. The Big Island is estimated to be adding nearly 50 acres per year.
6. This is the world’s most isolated island chain. Hawaii is about 2,500 miles from California and nearly 4,000 miles from Japan.
7. Coffee is grown here and nowhere else in the USA. Due to Hawaii’s sub-tropical climate, coffee farms are found on Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Kauai, and the Big Island. A personal favorite at BOH is the coffee grown near Ka`u on the Big Island. This region is south of Kona and is relatively new to the third-wave coffee scene. After Ka’u Sugar company closed, coffee-growing surged. Below, our photo of coffee sun-drying on Molokai.
8. Billboards don’t exist in Hawaii so the view can be uninterrupted. They have been illegal for a very long time. There are only three other states that ban billboards. They are Alaska, Maine, and Vermont.
9. Our unique time zone is Hawaiian Aleutian. That’s GMT -10 for those of you who think that way. Because there’s no Daylight Saving Time in Hawaii (a story itself), the time difference to the west coast is two hours in winter but is three hours in summer.
10. Hawaii has the southernmost latitude in the USA, which is beautiful South Point on the Big Island. If you look at the map, Hawaii’s latitude is in line with Mexico City.
11. Coral reefs, mostly found in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, comprise about 70% of reefs found in the USA. The reefs off Maui are the most extensive of the deep water (100-500′) type anywhere and are home to a very large variety of life.
12. Interstate highways that aren’t interstate? Another Hawaii distinction, the H1, H2 and H3 are found in Honolulu. These date back to Hawaii Statehood.
13. Captain James Cook named Hawaii The Sandwich Isles, in honor of his patron, the Earl of Sandwich.
14. The world’s tallest mountain is here if measured from its base on the ocean floor. That is Mauna Kea on the Big Island at over 33,000 feet.
15. Mt. Waialeale, on Kauai is the wettest place on earth. It averages 450 inches of rain annually. That’s in the center of Kauai rather than on our beaches.
16. The only navigable river found in Hawaii is the Wailua on Kauai and is pictured below. You can kayak on the river to Secret Falls or enjoy a ride to the Fern Grotto with Smith’s.
17. Hawaii state fish is the humuhumunukunukuapuaa, and that’s a mouthful. In 1985, the reef triggerfish was designated the official fish of Hawaii in 1985.
18. Lanai was once called the “Pineapple Island” and was home to the largest plantation that produced the majority of the world’s supply. Pineapple stopped being grown there in the past twenty years. That, among other changes including Lanai’s purchase by Larry Ellison, dramatically changed the island’s appearance and economy. Beat of Hawaii’s photo below sailing the backside of Lanai at three sisters.
19. Hawaii’s state flag contains the British “Union Jack,” symbolizing Hawaii’s relationship with Great Britain starting in the late 1700’s.
20. Longest beach in Hawaii is Polihale Beach on Kauai Island’s Westside. It is 15 miles of beautiful sand up to 300 yards wide. It’s found at the end of the highway and is accessed via a long and bumpy cane road. Pictured below.
21. No high-rises are found on Kauai. no By law, no building can be taller than a coconut tree. That is in sharp contrast to Honolulu, seen below.
22. Mt. Haleakala on Maui is the world’s largest extinct volcano. It is so large that the crater could contain all of New York City’s Manhattan.
23. Iolani Palace is the only royal residence in the USA and is located in Honolulu. It was built in 1882 and featured electricity four years before the White House.
24. Hawaiian Islands’ Archipelago is comprised of 132 islands and atolls that span over 1,500 miles.
25. Big Island is so-called inasmuch as it is by far the largest island in the state with an area of 4,028 miles. The photo below is at Mauna Lani Fishponds, also known as Kalahuipuaa.
26. Duke Kahanamoku, is considered the father of modern-day surfing. He was an Olympic swimming medalist who hailed from Honolulu. His iconic bronze statue adorns Waikiki Beach and the award-winning beach below is named for him.
27. Hula dance was created in Hawaii and all of the islands stake claim to its origin. It is a complex art form of Polynesian derivation and is accompanied by chant.
Updated 12/19/21.
Thanks for the great photos and interesting facts. And no you-know-what talk.
Our blessing is to be on the slopes of Mauna Loa in beautiful Ka’u.
Although we live on the NorthShore of Kaua’i you can visit for
only a week’s time and experience the real charm of the
Hawaiian Islands which is “Aloha”! It is expressed, shared
and felt throughout the islands in acts of kindness as well as
daily personal interactions. In addition, a strong sense of
family exists within the people who live here. We cherish our Hawaiian time we have here with others!
So many things to love about Hawaii. We LOVE the ‘vistas’ on the Big Island don’t miss billboards. :0) Love to hear slack key & watch Hula, sitting on the beach & watching the water & watching for whales. Nothing like having breakfast & seeing one breach just off shore. We love the slower pace and appreciate the courtesy (for the most part) of the drivers who almost always allow you to merge, go first, etc. Who can fault the weather, sunrises and sunsets? WOW! We also love our memories.
All of these reasons listed above are why Hawaii is my favorite place on earth. However, #1 takes the cake. Don’t get me wrong, the rainbows in the skies are fabulous…but, the rainbows on land and in the beaches (the people) are what makes me feel like I’m at home while on the islands of HawaiI. Hawaii is the utopia for people with a tint of color. It’s like I’m accepted even more because of The color on my skin. I truly feel like I can be myself. Thank you for the opportunity to learn & share.
ALL OF THE ABOVE. Planning to purchase a condo in Waikiki soon so I will be there not only for pleasure but business as well. God Bless the great people of Hawaii
Thank you for your updates, I always enjoy them.
I enjoy giving & the aloha spirit makes me feel like I’m home.
The clean air & the ability to grow your own food & share with your neighbors & family.
The respect for the land as my native American ancestors have taught through the years.
I love the slower pace & listening to people talk story. Staying at the Dolphin Bay Hotel in Hilo & walking to Pineapples for dinner & a cocktail.
Wildlife, wildlife, wildlife……
The air. As soon as I step off the plane in Lihue, it hits all my senses. Sweet, soft, fragrant and full of life. I just go out after getting my baggage and breathe for 5 minutes. It totally makes me calm, peaceful and relaxed. Those rainbows are always a big highlight also. Never get enough of the green scenery either. Happy Holidays to you both. You guys are great with giving us updates, opinions and Aloha. Mahalo nui loa.
Hi Debra.
Thanks for all your input and nice words. We appreciate it.
Aloha.
For some of us there is a stronger reason why we return to Hawaii. It is our birthplace. The strength of Hawaii is in our blood. My love of land and ocean came from four generations being born, raised and living in Hawaii. Because of the rising cost of housing and better job opportunities, I moved to the mainland. Now, affordability in Hawaii is even worse and everywhere is too crowded. But I still return occasionally to see my favorite beaches and mountains. Mahalo BOH for good travel news.
The #1 rated Hawaiian health system may be about to face the ultimate test. Daily Covid cases have increased from under 100 ten days ago to almost 1000 today. If the current growth rate continues the number of infections in ten more days could be 10,000 per day. Consider the limited number of available ICU beds in Hawaii before making travel plans at this critical time.
Regarding #4, nothing will ever top the original Hawaii Five-0. That show did more for Hawaii tourism than all others combined, and unlike Magnum, P.I., the powers behind Hawaii Five-0 (Leonard Freeman and Jack Lord) insisted on using locals almost exclusively for small on-camera roles and behind-the-scenes jobs. This is one reason why they are beloved to this day (also, Jack and Marie Lord donated more than 40 million dollars to many causes dear to the hearts of the Hawaiian people).
Wonderful list about beloved HAwaii!!! Thank you for a few I didn’t know. 🙂
Maui no ka oi! My favorite place on the islands though there are such spectacularly beautiful places on all the main islands.
My understanding is that amazing Haleakala is dormant though, not extinct. 😊
I love staying in Hana where it is still raw & isolated. And I adore great hula kahiko with oli. Adore hearing fabulous Hawaiian slack key masters live.
But one mammoth love I have is whale watching!
Will do
I can attest to the great health care after breaking my leg on a hike on Kauai last May. Wilcox Medical Center was wonderful. I had surgery the next day and received excellent care. Not where I was planning to spend 4 days of my vacation yet it was an overall positive experience. I definitely need a do over.
The people. My hānai ohana. Great to be back on Kauaʻi for the Holidays.
I love the way that Lanai is mentioned to have been the Pineapple Island. No one mentions the Prison Island any more.
Part 1
…I live in SoCal and was born and raised in NYC, so I’m used to skyscrapers. Those in Hawaii are like so many the world over – they remind me of the ingenuity and powerful engineering man is capable of.
Part 2.
The failing of most skyscrapers is not enough ground space. They need more room for parking and some green space.