Capital: Honolulu (on Oahu)

State abbreviation/Postal code: Hawaii/HI

Governor: Linda Lingle, R (to Dec. 2010)

Lieut. Governor: James �Duke� Aiona, R (to Dec. 2010)

Senators: Daniel K. Akaka, D (to Jan. 2013); Daniel K. Inouye, D (to Jan. 2011)

U.S. Representatives: 2

Historical biographies of Congressional members

Atty. General: Mark J. Bennett, R (appt'd. by gov.)

Organized as territory: 1900

Entered Union (rank): Aug. 21, 1959 (50)

Motto: Ua Mau Ke Ea O Ka Aina I Ka Pono (The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness)

State symbols:

Nickname: Aloha State (1959)

Origin of name: Uncertain. The islands may have been named by Hawaii Loa, their traditional discoverer. Or they may have been named after Hawaii or Hawaiki, the traditional home of the Polynesians.

10 largest cities¹ (2000): Honolulu, 371,657; Hilo, 40,759; Kailua, 36,513; Kaneohe, 34,970; Waipahu, 33,108; Pearl City, 30,976; Waimalu, 29,371; Mililani Town, 28,608; Kahului, 20,146; Kihei, 16,749

Land area: 6,423 sq mi. (16,637 sq km)

Geographic center: Between islands of Hawaii and Maui

Number of counties: 5 (Kalawao non-functioning)

Largest county by population and area: Honolulu, 905,266 (2005); Hawaii, 4,028 sq mi.

State forests: 19 natural area reserves (over 109,000 ac.)

State park: 52 (25,000 ac.)

Residents: Hawaiian, also kamaaina (native-born nonethnic Hawaiian), malihini (newcomer)

2005 resident population est.: 1,275,194

2000 resident census population (rank): 1,211,537 (42). Male: 608,671 (50.2%); Female: 602,866 (49.8%). White: 294,102 (24.3%); Black: 22,003 (1.8%); American Indian: 3,535 (0.3%); Asian: 503,868 (41.6%); Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander: 113,539 (9.4%); Other race: 15,147 (1.3%); Two or more races: 259,343 (21.4%); Hispanic/Latino: 87,699 (7.2%). 2000 percent population 18 and over: 75.6; 65 and over: 13.3; median age: 36.2.

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