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Hawaii State Symbols

Welcome to the Aloha State! When it comes to state symbols, Hawaii may be #1. Why such a small state needs three official mammals is anyone’s guess. However, Hawaii still has less symbols than most states, and they paint a uniquely beautiful picture. (Continued below)

Hawaii State Flag
Nicknames & Slogans
Nicknames The Aloha State, Paradise of the Pacific, Youngest State, Pineapple State 1959
Symbols of State
Motto Ua Mau ke Ea o ka Aina i ka Pono 1843
Anthem Hawai`i Pono`î 1967
EcoSymbols
Flower Pua Aloalo (yellow hibiscus) (Hibiscus brackenridgei) 1988
Tree kukui (Aleurites moluccanus) 1959
Endemic Tree ohia lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha) 2022
Plant kalo (Colocasia esculenta) 2007
Bird nene or Hawaiian goose (Branta sandvicensis) 1988
Land Mammal Hawaiian hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus semotus) 2015
Mammal Hawaiian monk seal (Monachus schauinslandi) 2008
Marine Mammal humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) 1979
Fish Humuhumunukunukuapua`a or Hawaiian trigger fish (Rhinecanthus rectangulus) 1985
Insect Kamehameha butterfly (Vanessa tameamea) 2009
Gem black coral (Antipathidae) 1987
Soil Hilo (unofficial) Unofficial
Cultural Symbols
Individual Sport surfing 1998
Team Sport Outrigger Canoe Paddling 1986
Language Hawaiian 1978
(Code or Philosophy?) Aloha Spirit 1986
Tartan 2008
Order of Merit Aloha Order of Merit 1993
Dance hula 1999
Kahiko (Traditional) Musical Instrument pahu 2015
Auana (Modern) Musical Instrument ukulele 2016

Hawaii’s nicknames include Paradise of the Pacific, Youngest State and Pineapple State. However, its official nickname is The Aloha State.

That’s a reminder that Hawaii’s official language is Hawaiian. What a refreshing change from the states who call English their official language!

None of Hawaii’s state symbols represent any other state. In fact, some of them are found nowhere else but Hawaii.

One of my favorite Hawaiian symbols is its state soil, which may be linked to the Himalayas and Genghis Khan’s conquering hordes. Sadly, Hawaiians can probably never adopt an official state fossil, though. Do you know why?

In other news, did you know Hawaii was just a colony when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor? Do you think the islands will ever be returned to the Hawaiian people?

* * * * *

If you think state flags and flowers are nothing more than trivia, guess again. A thorough exploration of the more than 1,500 items adopted as state symbols embraces geography, history, and psychology.

You have found the best state symbols website, but it’s just the tip of the iceberg. The introduction above is adapted from Geobop’s State Symbols and My State Symbols Book, by far the biggest and most detailed state symbols references ever. You can learn still more about the symbols of the 50 states in the books Flag Quest and Grading the States. (Learn more about them here.)

After you spend some time exploring your favorite state’s symbols, you can come back here and tell us what you think about them.

Hawaii Symbols Store
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