Hawaiian Islands: Names and Meanings

Discover the captivating names of the Hawaiian Islands, each holding a rich cultural and historical significance. From the volcanic peaks of Hawaiʻi to the lush valleys of Kauaʻi, each island has a unique story woven into its very name. Explore the meanings behind these names and gain a deeper appreciation for the beauty and heritage of the Hawaiian archipelago.
1. **Hawaiʻi**: "homeland" or "place of the gods." This name reflects the island's status as the birthplace of the Hawaiian nation and its deep connection to spirituality.

2. **Maui**: "the immortal one," referencing the demigod Maui, renowned for his legendary feats.

3. **Oʻahu**: "gathering place," alluding to the island's central role in early Hawaiian society as a place where people congregated for trade, ceremonies, and government.

4. **Kauaʻi**: "the garden isle," referring to its verdant landscapes and abundance of lush vegetation.

5. **Molokaʻi**: "the leper island," derived from the time when the island was used to isolate those suffering from leprosy. However, it's important to note that this name is considered outdated and insensitive.

6. **Lānaʻi**: "the long island," describing its elongated shape.

7. **Niʻihau**: "the small island," due to its diminutive size compared to the other main islands.

8. **Kahoʻolawe**: "the sacred island," referring to its spiritual significance and historical importance as a place of prayer and pilgrimage.

9. **Nīhoa**: "the place of the petrels," named after the abundant petrel birds that inhabit the island.

10. **Mokumanamana**: "the island of the albatross," honoring the albatrosses that frequent this remote islet.

11. **Kure**: "the island of the turtles," named after the endangered green sea turtles that nest on its shores.

12. **Kaʻula**: "the sacred bird," referring to the Hawaiian monk seal, a critically endangered species that finds refuge on this islet.

13. **ʻEwa**: "the place of the fishponds," renowned for its extensive system of fishponds built by ancient Hawaiians.

14. **Wahiawa**: "the place of the water," a tribute to its abundant water resources.

15. **Kahuku**: "the place of the seabirds," named for the large colonies of seabirds that once nested on its cliffs.

16. **Waimanalo**: "the place of the calm waters," referring to its tranquil beaches and protected bay.

17. **Kailua**: "the place of the two seas," named for its location between two bodies of water.

18. **Honolulu**: "protected harbor," highlighting the city's location within a natural harbor.

19. **Waiʻanae**: "the place of the shrimp," known for its abundance of shrimp in the past.

20. **Makaha**: "the place of the fish," referring to its rich fishing grounds.

21. **Nanakuli**: "the place of the sand," describing its sandy shores.

22. **Waianae**: "the place of the water," referencing its abundant water resources.

23. **ʻEwa Beach**: "the place of the fishponds," a coastal area known for its historical fishponds.

24. **Kapolei**: "the place of the high cliffs," named after the steep cliffs that border the area.

25. **Mililani**: "the place of the hawk," referring to the Hawaiian hawk, once found in the area.

26. **Waipahu**: "the place of the water," referencing its abundant water resources.

27. **Pearl City**: named after the pearl oysters found in the surrounding waters.

28. **Aiea**: "the place of the taro," known for its fertile land suitable for taro cultivation.

29. **Hickam**: named after the US Army Air Corps General, Albert W. Hickam.

30. **ʻAiea Heights**: "the place of the taro," referring to the taro that once grew in the area.

31. **Kaneohe**: "the place of the canoe," named for its harbor suitable for canoe landing.

32. **Kahaluʻu**: "the place of the fish," known for its abundant fish populations.

33. **Kailua**: "the place of the two seas," named for its location between two bodies of water.

34. **Waimānalo**: "the place of the calm waters," referring to its tranquil beaches and protected bay.

35. **Hāwī**: "the place of the long line," referring to the fishing lines used in the area.

36. **Keauhou**: "the place of the gods," referring to its ancient temple sites.

37. **Keahole**: "the place of the sea," referring to its coastal location.

38. **Holualoa**: "the place of the long rope," referring to the long fishing lines used in the area.

39. **Waimea**: "the place of the red water," referring to the reddish color of the water due to volcanic activity.

40. **Kona**: "the leeward side," referring to its location on the leeward side of the island.

41. **Captain Cook**: named after the British explorer, James Cook.

42. **Kealakekua**: "the place of the long point," referring to the long, narrow point of land that extends into the sea.

43. **Naʻalehu**: "the place of the big sand," referring to its sandy beaches.

44. **Pāhala**: "the place of the cliffs," named after the steep cliffs in the area.

45. **Keaʻau**: "the place of the mist," referring to the frequent mists that envelop the area.

46. **Kurtistown**: named after Kurt Schuler, a pioneer settler who developed the area.

47. **Pahoa**: "the place of the fern," referring to the abundance of ferns in the area.

48. **Mountain View**: named for its scenic views of the surrounding mountains.

49. **Hilo**: "the place of the refuge," referring to its strategic location as a safe harbor for canoeists.

50. **Volcano**: named for its proximity to active volcanoes.

51. **Keauhou**: "the place of the gods," referring to its ancient temple sites.

52. **Punaluʻu**: "the place of the black sand," referring to its famous black sand beach.

53. **South Point**: the southernmost point of the island.

54. **Kau**: "the place of the south," referring to its location in the southern part of the island.

55. **Honaunau**: "the place of the fishpond," known for its ancient fishponds.

56. **Kealakekua Bay**: named after the bay where Captain Cook first landed in Hawaiʻi.

57. **Waipio Valley**: "the place of the curved water," referring to its unique valley shape.

58. **Pololu Valley**: "the place of the long valley," referring to its long and narrow valley.

59. **Waimanu Valley**: "the place of the clear water," referring to its pristine waters.

60. **Hanalei**: "the place of the bay," referring to its beautiful bay.

61. **Princeville**: named after the Princeville Hotel, a luxury resort in the area.

62. **Kilauea**: "the place of the erupting fire," named after its active volcano.

63. **Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park**: "the place of the fishponds," referring to its ancient fishponds and other archaeological sites.

64. **Kealakekua**: "the place of the long point," referring to the long, narrow point of land that extends into the sea.

65. **Waipio Valley Lookout**: a scenic overlook offering stunning views of Waipio Valley.

66. **Poipu Beach**: a popular beach known for its calm waters and beautiful sunsets.

67. **Makaweli**: "the place of the rain," referring to its frequent rainfall.

68. **Waimea Canyon**: "the place of the red water," referring to the reddish color of the water due to volcanic activity.

69. **Kokeʻe State Park**: "the place of the high ground," referring to its high elevation.

70. **Nā Pali Coast**: "the place of the cliffs," referring to its dramatic cliffs.

71. **Haʻena State Park**: "the place of the bay," referring to its beautiful bay.

72. **Keʻanae**: "the place of the long point," referring to the long, narrow point of land that extends into the sea.

73. **Hana**: "the place of the bay," referring to its beautiful bay.

74. **Maui**: "the immortal one," referring to the demigod Maui.

75. **Lahaina**: "the cruel sun," referring to its scorching sun.

76. **Wailuku**: "the place of the flowing water," referring to its abundant water resources.

77. **Kahului**: "the place of the seabirds," named for the large colonies of seabirds that once nested on its cliffs.

78. **Paia**: "the place of the rain," referring to its frequent rainfall.

79. **Makawao**: "the place of the hawk," referring to the Hawaiian hawk, once found in the area.

80. **Upcountry**: the higher-elevation region of Maui.

81. **Haleakalā**: "house of the sun," referring to the extinct volcano that dominates the island.

82. **Kihei**: "the place of the sand," referring to its sandy beaches.

83. **Wailea**: "the place of the water," referring to its abundant water resources.

84. **Hana**: "the place of the bay," referring to its beautiful bay.

85. **Molokini**: "the small island," referring to its diminutive size.

86. **Kahoʻolawe**: "the sacred island," referring to its spiritual significance and historical importance as a place of prayer and pilgrimage.

87. **Lanai City**: the main town on the island of Lanai.

88. **Manele Bay**: a popular destination for luxury resorts.

89. **Hulopoe Bay**: a protected bay known for its calm waters and beautiful views.

90. **Na Pali Coast State Wilderness Park**: a scenic park featuring dramatic cliffs, lush valleys, and secluded beaches.

91. **Waimea Canyon State Park**: a scenic park featuring a dramatic canyon known as the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific."

92. **Kokeʻe State Park**: a high-elevation park featuring lush forests, scenic overlooks, and hiking trails.

93. **Haleakala National Park**: a park featuring the extinct Haleakala volcano, diverse ecosystems, and unique endemic species.

94. **Hawaii Volcanoes National Park**: a park featuring active volcanoes, lava flows, and unique geological formations.

95. **Puʻuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park**: a park featuring a traditional Hawaiian place of refuge and other archaeological sites.

96. **Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park**: a park featuring ancient fishponds, petroglyphs, and archaeological sites.

97. **Keauhou**: "the place of the gods," referring to its ancient temple sites.

98. **Kealakekua Bay**: named after the bay where Captain Cook first landed in Hawaiʻi.

99. **Waipio Valley**: "the place of the curved water," referring to its unique valley shape.

100. **Pololu Valley**: "the place of the long valley," referring to its long and narrow valley.