Hawaiian Island Names Map: Explore the Meaning Behind the Islands

Discover the captivating history and culture of Hawaii through its stunning islands. Each island boasts a unique name, steeped in ancient Hawaiian language and traditions. A Hawaiian island names map not only provides geographical information but also unveils the rich stories and symbolism behind these evocative names. This comprehensive list delves into the intricate meanings behind each island, enriching your understanding of the Hawaiian archipelago.
1. **Hawaiʻi:** The Big Island, named after the legendary demigod Hawaiʻiloa, who is credited with discovering the islands. It can also be translated as "the home of the gods."
2. **Maui:** The Valley Isle, named after the demigod Maui, known for his legendary exploits and feats of strength, including catching the sun and creating the Hawaiian Islands.
3. **Oʻahu:** The Gathering Place, named after the demigod ʻOʻahu, who is said to have been the first ruler of the island.
4. **Kauaʻi:** The Garden Isle, named after the legendary figure Kauaʻi, believed to have been a king or chief who was known for his wisdom and power.
5. **Molokaʻi:** The Friendly Isle, named after the demigod Molokaʻi, who was known for his kindness and hospitality.
6. **Lānaʻi:** The Pineapple Isle, named after the word "lānaʻi," which means "high land," referring to the island's elevated terrain.
7. **Niʻihau:** The Forbidden Isle, named after the word "niʻihau," which means "small island" in Hawaiian.
8. **Kahoʻolawe:** The Target Isle, named after the word "kahoʻolawe," which means "to be swallowed up" in Hawaiian, referring to the island's history of being used as a target for military training.
9. **Kaula:** The Last Island, named after the word "kaula," which means "a string" in Hawaiian, referring to the island's solitary location.
10. **Kure Atoll:** The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, named after the word "kure," which means "a small island" in Hawaiian.
11. **Midway Atoll:** The Middle Way Island, named after its location between the United States and Asia.
12. **French Frigate Shoals:** A series of shoals named after the French ship "La Frégate," which ran aground in 1792.
13. **Necker Island:** The Island of Necker, named after the English naval officer, Richard Neck, who is credited with discovering the island in 1778.
14. **Gardner Pinnacles:** The Sharp Peaks, named after the American merchant, John Gardner, who is credited with discovering the pinnacles in 1820.
15. **Lisianski Island:** The Island of Lisianski, named after the Russian explorer, Yuri Lisianski, who is credited with discovering the island in 1805.
16. **Pearl and Hermes Atoll:** The Pearl and Hermes Island, named after the American whaling ships "Pearl" and "Hermes," which both became stranded on the atoll in the early 19th century.
17. **Maro Reef:** The Sacred Reef, named after the Hawaiian word "maro," which means "sacred" in Hawaiian, referring to the reef's importance to Hawaiian culture.
18. **Kamoku:** The Small Island, named after the Hawaiian word "kamoku," which means "small island" in Hawaiian.
19. **Mokumanamana:** The Island of the Birds, named after the Hawaiian word "moku," which means "island" and "manamana," which means "to spread out," referring to the island's shape and abundance of birdlife.
20. **Lehua:** The Sacred Island, named after the Hawaiian word "lehua," which means "sacred" in Hawaiian, referring to the island's importance to Hawaiian culture.
21. **Nīhoa:** The Island of the Seabirds, named after the Hawaiian word "nīhoa," which means "a point of land" or "a hook" in Hawaiian, referring to the island's shape.
22. **Waiʻanae:** The Watery Land, named after the Hawaiian word "wai," which means "water" and "ʻanae," which means "a valley" in Hawaiian.
23. **Waimānalo:** The Water of the Valley, named after the Hawaiian words "wai," which means "water" and "mānalo," which means "valley" in Hawaiian.
24. **Kailua:** The Two Coves, named after the Hawaiian words "kai," which means "sea" and "lua," which means "a hole" in Hawaiian.
25. **Kāneʻohe:** The Place of the Man, named after the Hawaiian word "kāne," which means "a man" and "ʻohe," which means "a reed" in Hawaiian.
26. **Kahuku:** The Place of the Food, named after the Hawaiian words "ka," which means "the" and "huku," which means "food" in Hawaiian.
27. **Waialua:** The Water of the Long Place, named after the Hawaiian words "wai," which means "water" and "alua," which means "a long place" in Hawaiian.
28. **Haleʻiwa:** The House of the Sea, named after the Hawaiian words "hale," which means "a house" and "ʻiwa," which means "a seabird" in Hawaiian.
29. **Waimea:** The Red Water, named after the Hawaiian words "wai," which means "water" and "mea," which means "red" in Hawaiian.
30. **Makaha:** The Face of the Sea, named after the Hawaiian words "maka," which means "face" and "ha," which means "the sea" in Hawaiian.
31. **Nanakuli:** The Island of the Sea, named after the Hawaiian word "nanakuli," which means "the island of the sea" in Hawaiian.
32. **Ewa:** The Place of the Crab, named after the Hawaiian word "ewa," which means "a crab" in Hawaiian.
33. **Waipahu:** The Water of the Valley of the Bamboo, named after the Hawaiian words "wai," which means "water" and "pahu," which means "a valley of bamboo" in Hawaiian.
34. **ʻAiea:** The Place of the Bird, named after the Hawaiian word "ʻaiea," which means "a bird" in Hawaiian.
35. **Mililani:** The Place of the Bird, named after the Hawaiian word "mililani," which means "a bird" in Hawaiian.
36. **Waiʻanae:** The Watery Land, named after the Hawaiian word "wai," which means "water" and "ʻanae," which means "a valley" in Hawaiian.
37. **Keauhou:** The Place of the Rain, named after the Hawaiian words "kea," which means "white" and "hou," which means "rain" in Hawaiian.
38. **Keahole:** The Place of the White Cloud, named after the Hawaiian words "kea," which means "white" and "hole," which means "a cloud" in Hawaiian.
39. **Kailua-Kona:** The Two Coves of Kona, named after the Hawaiian words "kai," which means "sea" and "lua," which means "a hole" in Hawaiian.
40. **Hilo:** The Place of the Shelter, named after the Hawaiian word "hilo," which means "a shelter" in Hawaiian.
41. **Pahoa:** The Place of the Bird, named after the Hawaiian word "pahoa," which means "a bird" in Hawaiian.
42. **Kurtistown:** The Place of the Birds, named after the Hawaiian word "kurtistown," which means "a place of birds" in Hawaiian.
43. **Volcano:** The Place of the Volcano, named after the volcanic activity in the area.
44. **Punaluʻu:** The Place of the Black Sand, named after the Hawaiian words "puna," which means "a place of" and "luʻu," which means "black sand" in Hawaiian.
45. **Captain Cook:** The Place of the Captain, named after the British explorer, James Cook.
46. **Keauhou:** The Place of the Rain, named after the Hawaiian words "kea," which means "white" and "hou," which means "rain" in Hawaiian.
47. **Kealakekua:** The Place of the White Sea, named after the Hawaiian words "kea," which means "white" and "lakekea," which means "a white sea" in Hawaiian.
48. **Holualoa:** The Place of the Long Sand, named after the Hawaiian words "hol" which means "long" and "lua," which means "sand" in Hawaiian.
49. **Waikoloa:** The Water of the Long Place, named after the Hawaiian words "wai," which means "water" and "koloa," which means "long place" in Hawaiian.
50. **Kohala:** The Place of the Mountain, named after the Hawaiian word "kohala," which means "mountain" in Hawaiian.