07/16/2024
21 things you didn’t know about Hawaii. 🌴
1. **Hawaii is the Only U.S. State That Grows Coffee** - The volcanic soil and ideal climate make it perfect for coffee plantations.
2. **Home to the World’s Most Active Volcano** - Kilauea on the Big Island has been continuously erupting since 1983.
3. **The Aloha Spirit** - Hawaii is famous for its welcoming and friendly culture, encapsulated in the Hawaiian word "Aloha."
4. **Unique Time Zone** - Hawaii has its own time zone (Hawaiian Standard Time) and does not observe Daylight Saving Time.
5. **Rainbow State** - Hawaii has the most frequent rainbows in the world, often visible after the island’s frequent, brief showers.
6. **Birthplace of Surfing** - Ancient Hawaiians invented surfing, which they called "he’e nalu" or wave sliding.
7. **Hawaii’s State Fish** - The Humuhumunukunukuapua'a, also known as the reef triggerfish, has the longest name of any state fish.
8. **No Billboards** - Billboards are banned in Hawaii to preserve its natural beauty.
9. **Hawaii is Growing** - Due to volcanic activity, the Big Island is continuously growing as lava flows add to the landmass.
10. **Royalty Rules** - Hawaii is the only U.S. state that was once a royal kingdom.
11. **Hawaii's Unique Wildlife** - It’s home to many species that are found nowhere else on Earth, including the Hawaiian monk seal and the nēnē (Hawaiian goose).
12. **The Most Isolated Population Center** - Hawaii is 2,390 miles from California, 3,850 miles from Japan, making it the most isolated population center on the planet.
13. **Hawaiian Language** - Hawaiian is one of the state's two official languages, and the alphabet only consists of 13 letters.
14. **Largest Marine Reserve** - The Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument is one of the largest protected areas in the world, covering 582,578 square miles.
15. **Hawaii Has No Snakes** - Thanks to strict laws, there are no native snakes in Hawaii.
16. **Honolulu's Bustling Business** - Honolulu is the largest city in the world, if measured by its city limits, which span to the ocean.
17. **The Land of Many Islands** - Hawaii is made up of 132 islands, although most are uninhabited.
18. **Hawaii's Stunning Beaches** - The islands are home to beaches with sand in various colors, including white, black, red, and even green.
19. **Pearl Harbor** - The attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, led the U.S. to enter World War II.
20. **Highest Life Expectancy** - Hawaiians enjoy one of the highest life expectancies in the United States.
21. **The Spirit of Ohana** - Family (Ohana) is incredibly important in Hawaiian culture, fostering a strong sense of community and support.