Studying Hawai’i with your children? From luaus to leis, the islands of Hawai’i are a delight to explore, and this beautiful state has a rich history and a fascinating culture. Read on for the answers to some common questions your kids may be asking about the 50th state.
Five Facts about Hawai’i
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Why is Hawai’i called The Aloha State?
The word aloha means many things in the Hawaiian language. It means hello and goodbye, but it also refers to warmth, kindness, hospitality, and harmony. Since 1959, Hawai’i’s official state nickname has been The Aloha State. -
Is Hawaiian pizza really from Hawai’i?
Actually, no. The idea of putting pineapple and ham on pizza originated in Canada in 1962 and actually had nothing to do with the state of Hawai’i. A young restaurant chef named Sam Panopoulos came up with the idea of adding pineapple and ham to create a sweet-and-savory pizza, and he called it Hawaiian pizza because that’s where his canned pineapples came from. You can learn more about some more traditional Hawaiian foods here! -
Why does Hawai’i have an apostrophe?
In the Hawaiian language, the mark isn’t actually an apostrophe. The mark between the I’s in Hawai’i is called an okina, and since you won’t find an okina key on most computer keyboards, we usually use an apostrophe in place of the okina.In the Hawaiian language, the okina is used between the I’s to represent a glottal stop and helps to indicate the correct pronunciation of the word Hawai’i.
Would you like to learn more about Hawaii? Our Hello, United States! U.S. geography collection offers a unique and engaging journey through all fifty states!
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When did Hawai’i become a state?
Hawai’i became the 50th state on August 21, 1959, just eight months after Alaska became the 49th state. Dwight D. Eisenhower was president at the time. -
Where is Hawai’i located?
Most maps of the United States show Hawai’i in a box tucked underneath California and Mexico. This is not where Hawai’i really is! Because Hawai’i is out in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, mapmakers usually show Hawai’i under California to save space. But Hawai’i is actually 2,400 miles west of California and is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean on all sides.
Learn more about Hawai’i in your homeschool!
Thaddeus is on quite the quest to travel to all 50 states. His first stop? Hawaiʻi! With its rich culture and expansive sights, it's no wonder Thaddeus wanted to explore this state first! Read all about his adventures, dive into hands-on activities, and immerse yourself in the beauty of Hawaiʻi by grabbing this geography enrichment unit now!
What state are YOUR kids most excited to travel to? Let us know in the comments below!
What questions are YOUR kids asking about Hawai’i? Leave a comment below and we’ll try to answer them in a future update to this post!
