Hawaii

Hawaii is often referred to as the "Aloha State".^[1] Aloha is a Hawaiian word that can mean love, affection, peace, compassion, and mercy.^[2] The total area of Hawaii is approximately 10,931 square miles.^[3] As of 2023, the estimated population of Hawaii is around 1.44 million.^[4]

Historically dominated by a plantation economy, Hawaii remains a major agricultural exporter due to its fertile soil and uniquely tropical climate in the U.S. Its economy has gradually diversified since the mid-20th century, with tourism and military defense becoming the two largest sectors.^[5] Hawaii is known for its production of a variety of products. These include coffee, macadamia nuts, sugarcane, pineapples, cattle and calves, floriculture, chicken eggs, bananas, papayas, dairy products, and mushrooms.^[6] Hawaii ranks sixth in the nation for tree nut sales including Macadamia nuts.^[6]

Hawaii has many state and national parks, monuments, and other protected areas. These include Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, Haleakala National Park, Hawai"i Volcanoes National Park, Honouliuli National Historic Site, Kalaupapa National Historical Park, Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park, Pearl Harbor National Memorial, Pu"uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park, and Pu'ukohola Heiau National Historical Site. Hawaii also has many lovely beaches and many other city and county parks supporting a broad variety of outdoor activities.

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History of HawaiiHistory of Hawaii

The islands were first settled as early as 300 AD by Polynesian voyagers.^[7] The first European to set foot in Hawaii was Captain James Cook, the renowned British explorer and navigator, who landed on the island of Kauai in 1778.^[8] Captain James Cook, met a tragic end during his third voyage to the Pacific. On February 14, 1779, he was killed by Native Hawaiians.^[9]

After Cook’s arrival, the islands were united by Kamehameha the Great to establish the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1795. Queen Liliʻuokalani ascended to the throne of the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1891.^[10] She was determined to strengthen the political power of the Hawaiian monarchy and reduce foreign influence. In January 1893, a group of American and European businessmen, known as the Committee of Safety, staged a coup against Queen Liliʻuokalani.^[11] The Committee, backed by the U.S. Minister to Hawaii, John L. Stevens, called upon the U.S. Marines for protection. The Queen was forced to abdicate, and a Provisional Government was established, later renamed the Republic of Hawaii.^[12] The ultimate goal of the Committee of Safety and the Provisional Government was the annexation of Hawaii by the United States. This goal was achieved in 1898, when the U.S. Congress passed the Newlands Resolution, authorizing the U.S. annexation of Hawaii.^[13] The resolution was signed into law by President William McKinley.^[14]

This annexation ended the independence of Hawaii, transforming it into a U.S. territory. It’s important to note that this event is seen as controversial, with the U.S. Congress issuing an Apology Resolution in 1993 acknowledging that the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii occurred with the active participation of agents and citizens of the United States.^[15]

Hawaii officially became the 50th state of the United States on August 21, 1959. The process was marked by debates and political maneuvering, with the strategic interests of the U.S. in the Pacific during the Cold War playing a significant role.^[16]

Despite the Kingdom of Hawaii declaring its neutrality at the outbreak of the American Civil War in 1861, many Native Hawaiians and Hawaii-born Americans enlisted in the military regiments of various states in the Union and the Confederacy.^[17]

Hawaii’s economy in the 19th century was based on sugarcane production and export, with white colonists growing sugarcane on the islands and importing labor from places like China, Japan, and the Philippines.^[18] By the end of the 19th century, Hawaii was a multiethnic country with many Christians. In the 20th century, Hawaii’s economy diversified, with tourism and military defense becoming the two largest sectors.^[19]

Demographics of HawaiiDemographics of Hawaii

The demographic distribution of the Hawaii population is as follows:^[20]

Asian: 37.47%
Two or more races: 24.42%
White: 23.69%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 10.56%
Black or African American: 1.94%
Other race: 1.63%
Native American: 0.29%

Most common surnames in HawaiiMost common surnames in Hawaii

The demographic distribution of Hawaii surnames is as follows:^[21]

Surname	Incidence	Frequency
Lee	11,705	1:130
Wong	8,341	1:183
Kim	5,918	1:258
Young	5,439	1:280
Smith	5,160	1:296
Chang	5,093	1:300
Nakamura	4,471	1:341
Chun	4,341	1:351
Ching	3,873	1:394
Lau	3,796	1:402

Researching family history in HawaiiResearching family history in Hawaii

The National Archives Branch at San Francisco has permanent records created by federal agencies and courts in California (northern and central), Nevada (except for Clark County), Hawaii, U.S. Navy bases on foreign territory in the Pacific and Far East, American Samoa, Guam, former Trust Territory of the Pacifi Islands. The Hawaii State Archives has important state records and also maintains an Online Digital Archive. The Hawaii State Library System has many other resources.

Hawaii county listHawaii county list

Hawaii has 5 counties.


Hawaii	Honolulu	Kauai	Maui
Kala

Note that Kalawao County is a special case as it only consists of the Kalaupapa Peninsula on the island of Molokai and is considered a separate entity for statistical purposes.^[22]

Explore more about HawaiiExplore more about Hawaii

MyHeritage.com has four collections of Hawaii records that include the following: Hawaii Marriages, Honolulu, Hawaii Passenger Lists, 1900-1953, Hawaii, Deaths, and California and Hawaii, Chinese immigration to the United States.

References

[1] Hawai'i State Nickname | The Aloha State

[2] What Does 'Aloha' Mean In Hawaii? - Hawaii Star

[3] How Big Is Hawaii: An In-Depth Look At The Island State - Hawaii Star

[4] U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: United States; Hawaii

[5] Economy of Hawaii Statistics and Data Trends: GDP ranking, unemployment rate, and economic growth | USAFacts

[:0-6] 6.0 ^6.1 Hawaii's Top 10 Ag Products (Infographic)

[7] The Discovery and Settlement of Polynesia

[8] Hawaiian History

[9] James Cook: Third Voyage

[10] Hawaiian Annexation [ushistory.org]

[11] Jan. 17, 1893 | Hawaiian Monarchy Overthrown by America-Backed Businessmen

[12] Americans overthrow Hawaiian monarchy | January 17, 1893

[13] The 1897 Petition Against the Annexation of Hawaii

[14] Hawaii - Polynesian, US Territory, 50th State | Britannica

[15] U.S. acknowledges wrong in 1893 Hawaii overthrow

[16] Hawaii’s Long Road to Becoming America’s 50th State

[17] The Surprising History Of Hawaiians In The Civil War

[18] 19th Century Hawaiian History: The Birthplace of US Interventionism

[19] Economic History of Hawai’i – EH.net

[20] Hawaii Population 2024 (Demographics, Maps, Graphs)

[21] Hawaii Population 2024 (Demographics, Maps, Graphs)

[22] Hawaii County List in Alphabetical Order

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