Hawaii, nicknamed the "Aloha State," is the 50th of the United States of America, having achieved statehood on August 21, 1959. Hawaii is a chain of eight main islands: Hawaii (or "The Big Island"), Kahoolawe, Kauai, Lanai, Maui, Molokai, Niihau and Oahu. Its capital is Honolulu on the island of Oahu; the state has a population of over 1.2 million people. State Motto: Ua mau ke'ea o ka'aina i ka pono ("The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness"). State Anthem: Hawaii Ponoi, written in 1874 by King Kalaukaua. State Flower: Yellow Hibiscus. State Bird: Nene (Hawaiian Goose). State Tree: Kukui (Candlenut). State Mammal: Humpback Whale. State Fish: Humuhumunukunukuapua’a (Hawaiian Trigger Fish). State Gem: Black Coral. Hawaii's State Flag features the British Union Jack and eight stripes representing Hawaii's eight major islands, in red, white and blue. Hawaii's State Seal features the state coat of arms with King Kamehameha and the Goddess of Liberty; 1959, the year Hawaii achieved statehood; the state motto; a phoenix with maidenhair fern, banana and taro leaves. The first settlers of Hawaii were Polynesians sailing from other islands between A.D. 300 and 600. In 1778 British Captain James Cook called the Hawaiian islands the "Sandwich Islands” in honor of the Earl of Sandwich. The December 7, 1941 Japanese attack on Oahu’s Pearl Harbor was directly responsible for the United States’ entry into World War II. Hawaii’s time zone is Hawaii Standard Time, two hours behind Pacific Standard Time and five hours behind Eastern Standard Time (Hawaii does not observe Daylight Savings Time). The Hawaii State Quarter is scheduled to be released in 2008. Each of the eight major Hawaiian islands have their own associated color and flower: Big Island of Hawaii: Red (color), Lehua Ohia (flower) Kahoolawe: Grey, Hinahina Kauai: Purple, Mokihana Lanai: Orange, Kaunaoa Maui: Pink, Pink Cottage Rose Molokai: Green, White Kukui Blossom Niihau: White, Pupu Shell Oahu: Yellow, Ilima |