Hawaii is unforgettable. There are so many unique aspects about the islands that simply seem unreal. From rich history and culture to flora and fauna found nowhere else on Earth, Hawaii is full of surprises. You don’t need to be an expert to understand why this tropical paradise in the middle of the Pacific is such a sought-after destination.
Here are some amazing facts about Hawaii that you might not know!
1. Hawaii is an island chain more than 1,500 miles long
The Hawaiian archipelago is made up of 132 islands, atolls, reefs, shallow banks, shoals and seamounts stretching more than 1,500 miles across the North Pacific. Only seven of the islands are inhabited.
2. The beaches here come in 5 different colors (or more)
Everybody knows that Hawaiian beaches are amazing, but not everybody knows that they are also multi-colored. You can find your typical white-sand and brownish beaches, but you’ll also find black, red, pink, and even green. Much of this color variation has to do with the volcanic nature of the islands.
3. Hawaii has over 3000 species of native plants and animals
The islands’ isolated nature makes them home to an impressive amount of different plants and animals that exist nowhere else on Earth. This also means that many of these species are endangered or threatened. You can find an almost endless amount of tropical plants, and there are no native land predators.
4. Hawaii was an independent kingdom until 1893
Although Hawaii is now part of the United States, it was an independent, internationally recognized kingdom before this. The kingdom was overthrown on January 17, 1893, and the U.S. annexed Hawaii in 1898. This is still quite controversial today, and the Hawaiian Kingdom’s illegal overthrow was shady at best. In 1993, Congress formally issued an Apology Resolution for the U.S. role in the overthrow.
5. Facts about Hawaii Culture
HAWAII IS THE ONLY STATE WITH TWO OFFICIAL LANGUAGES
English and Hawaiian are the two official languages spoken here. A variety of Pacific Rim countries have impacted the islands’ culture and development, and you can hear other languages as well, often mixed to form pidgin.
6. There are only 12 letters in the Hawaiian Alphabet
If you have ever wondered why Hawaiian words can be so long and repetitive, it’s because there aren’t many letters to choose from. The only ones used are A, E, H, I, K, L, M, N, O, P, U, and W.
7. There are (technically) no snakes in Hawaii
Tropical locations are often crawling with creepy-crawlies, but not Hawaii. There are no indigenous snakes to be found here. There are sea snakes, which are highly poisonous but non-aggressive and shy. Some snakes have been brought to the island illegally that show up from time to time, but this is also rare.
8. It snows here
You read that right. It does snow in Hawaii up on the highest volcanic peaks that reach over 13,000 feet above sea level. This high elevation results in colder temperatures that can see snow during the winter months.
9. Mauna Kea is (technically) the world’s tallest mountain
Hawaii is home to the tallest mountain in the world. This is another fact that leaves many people scratching their heads. Manua Kea is not the tallest above sea level, but it is the tallest from floor to summit, measuring in at 33,500 feet. This makes it close to a mile taller than Mount Everest!
10. A Fact about Hawaii for Kids
HAWAII IS HOME TO JURASSIC PARK
The blockbuster movie Jurassic Park was filmed on the island of Kauai. There have been many other famous films that have been shot in the islands over the years as well.
11. Pineapples are not native
While you might think that Hawaii is home to the fruit, pineapples were actually imported to the islands over the last century and a half and didn’t start as successful as they are now. The many varieties of pineapples now found here can be traced back to South America and some other tropical locations.
12. The Big Island keeps getting bigger
Hawaii is one of the most volcanically active places on earth, and when lava reaches the ocean it builds brand-new land. Kīlauea’s Puʻuʻōʻō eruption, which ran from 1983 to 2018, alone added 439 acres to the Big Island. If you want a chance to see a real eruption, this is the place to be.
13. Hawaii was the first state to ban plastic bags in every county
There are special environmental considerations that come with living on any island community. Hawaii has been a leader in conservation and progressive environmental policies When Oʻahu’s ban took effect on July 1, 2015, every major county in Hawaii was banning plastic checkout bags, the first state where that was true.
14. You can find almost all of the world’s climate zones here
Hawaii is diverse in many ways. Its changing elevations and ecosystem give it the claim of having 10 out of the 14 named climate zones. You can lounge on the beach and go snowboarding on the same day.
15. Every beach is public here
Some landowners don’t like this fact being out in the open, but every beach in Hawaii is public property. And there is supposed to be public access every 1000 feet. This can sometimes get murky, but if you see a beach, you’re allowed to be there.
16. You can mail coconuts to the mainland
You don’t need to box it up or put it in an envelope; you can just write an address and place proper postage, and ship this symbol of the tropics across the sea. This is a popular way to send a gift back home.
17. More facts about Hawaii Volcanoes
HAWAII WAS A TRAINING LOCATION FOR THE MOON LANDING
NASA trained Apollo astronauts on the Big Island from 1965 to 1972, at nine sites including Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, Hualālai and several Kīlauea craters, because the fresh lava fields were the closest thing on Earth to the lunar surface. There have been more recent instances of NASA use for potential Mars training as well.
18. A Fact about Hawaii for Kids
SPAM IS A NATIONAL TREASURE
More Spam is eaten in Hawaii than anywhere else on earth. Pork is a traditional food of the islands, and this popular canned version has made its way into everyday life out here. Spam Musubi is a highly recommended treat to try when you visit.
19. Kona coffee only grows in Hawaii
Kona Coffee is known worldwide, and Hawaii is the only place where this variety comes from. Hawaii is no longer the only U.S. state with commercial coffee farms (California growers started in the early 2000s), but Kona coffee can only come from here. If you make it to the Big Island, a trip to one of its many coffee farms makes for a great afternoon.
20. One of the world’s most active volcanoes is here
Volcanoes and Hawaii go hand in hand. Kīlauea is one of the most active volcanoes in the world. Its Puʻuʻōʻō eruption ran almost continuously from 1983 to 2018, and since December 23, 2024 it has been erupting on and off inside its summit caldera. As of October 2026 that eruption is still going, so if you want to see a live volcano in action, the Big Island is where to be. Check the USGS and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park updates before you go.
