Hawaii

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

noun

a state of the United States comprising the N Pacific islands of Hawaii, Kahoolawe, Kauai, Lanai, Maui, Molokai, Niihau, and Oahu: a U.S. territory 1900–59; admitted to the Union 1959. 6424 sq. mi. (16,715 sq. km).

Capital: Honolulu.

Abbreviation: HI (for use with zip code), Haw.

the largest island of Hawaii, in the SE part. 4021 sq. mi. (10,415 sq. km).

Also, Hawai'i.

British Dictionary definitions for Hawaii

Hawaii

/həˈwaɪɪ/

noun

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) Former name Sandwich Islands Abbreviation Ha, (with zip code) HI

Word Origin and History for Hawaii

from Hawaiian Hawai'i, from Proto-Polynesian *hawaiki. Said to mean "Place of the Gods" and be a reference to Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. See also sandwich. Related: Hawaiian (1825). First record of Hawaiian shirt is from 1955.

Hawaii in Culture

Hawaii definition

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.

Note: Fiftieth state, admitted in 1959.

Note: Location of Pearl Harbor.