When you think of Hawaiʻi, do you picture beautiful beaches and lush landscapes? While Hawai'i certainly offers all of that, there’s so much more to this state! Whether you’re homeschooling, doing a state project, or just looking for ways to make U.S. geography fun, this guide will help you teach your child about Hawaiʻi in a memorable way.
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Discover Amazing Places in Hawaiʻi
Hawaiʻi is well known for its stunning beaches and volcanoes and other amazing sights. There's a reason some people refer to it as paradise! Here are some other sights:
The Fern Grotto is where you can see natural lava rock formations dripping in lush ferns!
You can also hike 14,000 feet to the summit of Maunakea, a volcano that last erupted 4,500 years ago.
Don’t forget the Road to Hana ... a 64-mile winding coastal road with 600 curves and 59 bridges!
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Learn about Hawaiʻi Flora and Fauna
Hawaiʻi isn’t just about beaches and volcanoes. It’s also known for its diverse plants and animals. The state flower, the hibiscus, blooms in vibrant colors across the islands. You'll also find native plants like Ōhiʻa Lehua Koa trees.
Hawaiʻi is home to the Hawaiian monk seal, one of the rarest marine mammals, as well as the Hawaiian honeycreeper, a brightly colored bird that lives in the forests.
Do some more digging into what types of flora and fauna inhabit Hawaiʻi. These plant and animal facts can turn into mini-research projects or creative writing prompts for your student!
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Use Hands-On Methods to Reinforce Learning
Kids remember more when they do something with what they’ve learned. Here are some ideas for taking what they’ve learned about Hawaiʻi and turning it into a hands-on activity:
- Make a diorama of a volcanic eruption or a famous Hawaiian landmark
- Write a report or draw a poster about a Hawaiian animal or plant
- Use our FREE Hawaiʻi Coloring Page to learn about the state flag, bird, flower, and tree. Coloring is another multisensory tool that can help take learning to the next level!
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Find Hawaiʻi on the Map
Take a moment to point out Hawaiʻi on a U.S. map. Let your child know that while some maps place Hawaiʻi below the mainland United States, it's actually about 2,400 miles off the coast of California, deep in the Pacific Ocean! To make the state’s shape memorable, you can try following it up with a hands-on activity like one of these:
- Trace the state shape on paper
- Build the borders of Hawaiʻi with toothpicks or playdough
- Color it in on our free coloring page
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Learn Over Several Days
Instead of rushing through your study of Hawaiʻi in one sitting, try spreading your study over 3 to 4 days. Each day, explore a new Hawaiian island or historical site. Try splitting the state up into its individual islands and then exploring each island on a different day. You'll soon discover each island is full of surprises and known for its own unique charm!
This repetition helps students retain what they’ve learned and gives them more opportunities to connect with the material.
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Use a Ready-to-Teach State Study Unit
If teaching the US states seems a bit overwhelming, we have good news … we’ve already done the work for you!
Our Hawaiʻi state unit lesson includes all of the above and so much more. With writing assignments, comprehension questions, hands-on activities, and humorous journal entries, we help make learning stick. After all, our goal is to turn US geography into a subject your child will love!
