Is Hawaii a Country or a State? Facts and History

For some, you may be asking “Is Hawaii a country or a state?”

While it might seem an obvious answer, it wasn’t that long ago that Hawaii had some major changes to its national status, and even now some Native Hawaiians don’t accept the answer.

Let’s delve in…

Then, in 1877, a coalition of native Hawaiians and foreign nationals forced King Kalakaua to sign the Bayonet Constitution that gave those same individuals complete control over the government.

Upon King Kalakaua’s passing in 1891, Queen Liliuokalani succeeded him and attempted to modify Hawaii’s constitution. Unfortunately, her efforts were unsuccessful. A group of sugar and pineapple businessmen backed by the US government overthrew her in 1893 and with it, the entire Hawaiian monarchy.

In her place, they appointed the coup’s leader as president of the new Republic of Hawaii. He was none other than Stanford Ballard Dole; yes, the same Dole of the Dole Food Company 🍍.

During the Spanish-American War, Hawaii was formally annexed into the United States to use as a military base in 1898.

Then, on August 21st 1959, the United States Congress passed a bill officially making Hawaii the 50th State.

And this is why Hawaii is a state and isn’t its own country.

While Hawaii was granted statehood with a yes-vote of 93% from its citizens, as with all things political, it didn’t happen without controversy. Even today, there are a small minority of people who are not happy that Hawaii is a state and not its own country.

Hawaii is located in the Pacific Ocean and is part of the United States of America. It is situated 2,397 miles southwest of mainland USA and technically consists of 137 islands but is recognized by its eight main islands: Hawaiʻi, Maui, Oʻahu, Kauaʻi, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Kaho’olawe and Ni’ihau.

Depending on how you determine the qualifications, Hawaii is generally considered a Polynesian island. It is the northernmost point of the Polynesian Triangle, the other corners being New Zealand and Easter Island.

Hawaii is about 1,375 miles north of the equator. Ka Lae, or South Point on the Big Island is the southernmost point in the United States.

Hawaii is the only US state made up entirely of islands and is the most isolated populated landmass in the world. There are conflicting numbers about distances but the approximate equations are: almost 2,400 miles from the US in the east, about 1,200 miles from the island country of Kiribati to the south, almost 4,000 miles from Japan to the west, and around 2,200 miles to Alaska to the north.

Including both land and water, Hawaii’s territory covers 10,931 square miles, a little bit bigger than the state of Maryland.

🧠 Game Break! 🧠
Test your knowledge of Hawaii with these interactive Hawaii Trivia Questions!

During King Kamehameha I’s reign in the late 18th century, the British flag was flown throughout his kingdom as it was given to him as a token of friendship from King George III.

During the War of 1812 however, an American flag was raised over Kamehameha’s home in order to appease the Americans, but was soon taken down due to the British not being happy about it.

So, King Kamehameha I commissioned a new flag to commemorate both countries who aided him.

Today, the flag of Hawaii bears resemblance to that of the United Kingdom, owing to many British advisors during King Kamehameha’s reign, as well as symbolizing Britain’s protection over the islands. All eight horizontal stripes, reminiscent of the US flag, show unity amongst the eight major Hawaiian Islands.

Boasting a unique distinction, the U.S. state flag of Hawaii is the only one to incorporate an international nation’s flag in its design.

Historical Times of Interest in Hawaii

• Captain James Cook is the first westerner to discover the Hawaiian Islands. He first landed in Waimea on Kauai on January 18, 1778 where he and his crew traded metal goods for sex. A year later he returned to the Big Island in Kealakekua Bay where there was a scuffle between him and the natives and he was killed on February 14, 1779.

• After years of battling, the great warrior and leader King Kamehameha I (pronounced kah-may-ha-may-ha) eventually succeeded in his prophetic mission to unify all the islands into one powerful Hawaiian kingdom in 1810.

• On the morning of Sunday, December 7th 1941, a surprise attack was carried out by Japan’s Imperial Navy Air Service on Pearl Harbor in Honolulu, Oahu. The United States had been neutral prior to this event and it resulted in their official entry into World War II shortly after.

Mauna Kea vs Everest

While Mount Everest is known as the tallest mountain on earth, technically Mauna Kea on the Big Island wins.

Mauna Kea is 33,500ft from base to tip vs Everest which is 29,032ft. However, Mauna Kea doesn’t get the tallest mountain award as only 13,796ft of it is above sea level.

Volcanoes in Hawaii

Hawaii is made up of a collection of volcanic islands. There are 15 volcanoes between the eight main islands, 6 of which are considered active.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has two of the world’s most active volcanoes: Kilauea and Mauna Loa.

Conclusion: Is Hawaii a Country or a State?

So, to answer the original question: Is Hawaii a country or a state? The answer is that it is the 50th state of the United States located in North America. Although it has had multiple political systems throughout its history, today it remains part of the good ol’ USA.

Other Questions About Hawaii You Didn’t Know to Ask:
Is the Big Island Dangerous?
Does Everyone Get a Lei Greeting in Hawaii?
Is There a Ferry From Oahu to the Big Island?
Are There Hot Springs on the Big Island?
What NOT to do in Hawaii