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The State of Hawaii

Living In Paradise

Whether or not O'ahu actually is Hawaiian for "the gathering place" is debatable, but that is the prevailing translation. The fact that three-quarters of Hawai'i's population lives here certainly lends credence to it.

The third largest of the Hawaiian Islands, O'ahu accounts for about 10 percent of the land in Hawai'i and 80 percent of the state's economic output.

The Atlas of Hawai'i assesses O'ahu's size at 607.7 square miles. O'ahu's largest city, Honolulu ("protected bay"), is also the largest city in Hawai'i, the county seat, the state capitol, and the center of business and industry in the islands.

Quick Facts

Governor: Linda Lingle (R)
Lt. Governor: James "Duke" Aiona (R)
Date of statehood: August 21, 1959
Capital: Honolulu
Population: 1,275,194
State anthem: Hawai'i Pono'i, written in 1874 by King Kalakaua

State motto: Ua mau ke 'ea o ka 'aina i ka pono (the life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness)

State flower: Yellow hibiscus
State bird: Nene (Hawaiian goose)
State tree: Kukui (candlenut)
Official Web site: www.state.hi.us

State Capitol Adddress:
415 South Beretania Street
Honolulu, Hawai'i 96813

Key Phone Numbers:
State switchboard - 586-2211
Information Office - 586-0221
Governor's Office - 586-0034

The Spirit of Aloha

There is a feeling of being welcome in Hawai'i that is straight from the hearts of the Hawaiian people. Their acceptance of strangers as friends is part of their generous culture, and their warmth is genuine and contagious.

These are part and parcel of the spirit of aloha which makes people feel at home in a place they've never visited. And now that you've chosen to live here, embrace the Hawaiian culture and spread aloha everywhere you go.