Name of Hawaii Islands: A Comprehensive List with Detailed Meanings

Discover the captivating names of the eight main Hawaiian Islands, each representing a unique story and cultural significance. From the volcanic grandeur of Hawaiʻi Island to the lush beauty of Kauaʻi, these names encapsulate the essence of this island paradise. Explore the deep meanings behind these names, offering a glimpse into the ancient Hawaiian language and its connection to the land.
1. **Hawaiʻi:**
- Meaning: "home of the homeland" or "the gathering place"
- Origin: Derived from the word "Hawaiʻi," the name of the largest and most prominent island, often referred to as the "Big Island."

2. **Maui:**
- Meaning: "the immortal one," referring to the demigod Maui, a legendary figure in Hawaiian mythology who is credited with creating the Hawaiian Islands.
- Origin: Named after the demigod Maui, known for his supernatural abilities and exploits.

3. **Oʻahu:**
- Meaning: "gathering place," "place of refuge," or "place of peace"
- Origin: Derived from the word "ʻoahu," which refers to a type of gourd used for gathering food.

4. **Kauaʻi:**
- Meaning: "the rainbow" or "the garden island"
- Origin: Named after the goddess Kāne, who is associated with creation and rainbows.

5. **Molokaʻi:**
- Meaning: "necklace," "the island with the necklace"
- Origin: Derived from the word "molokāʻi," referring to the narrow stretch of land that connects the western and eastern portions of the island.

6. **Lānaʻi:**
- Meaning: "the land of the long skies," "high island," or "land of the birds"
- Origin: Named for its high elevation and the abundance of birds that inhabit the island.

7. **Niʻihau:**
- Meaning: "the island of the frigatebirds," "little island," or "island with the shells"
- Origin: Derived from the word "niʻihau," which refers to the frigatebird, a common bird species found on the island.

8. **Kahoʻolawe:**
- Meaning: "the island of the sacred bird," or "the island of the sacred dance"
- Origin: Named for the ʻōʻō bird, a sacred species that was once abundant on the island.

9. **Hawaiki:**
- Meaning: "homeland," "origin," "place of origin"
- Origin: A legendary island in Polynesian mythology believed to be the ancestral home of the Hawaiians.

10. **Puna:**
- Meaning: "a place of plenty," "a place of abundance"
- Origin: Derived from the Hawaiian word "puna," meaning "to sprout," "to grow," or "to increase."

11. **Kona:**
- Meaning: "windward," "leeward," or "west"
- Origin: Refers to the western or leeward side of the island of Hawaiʻi.

12. **Kohala:**
- Meaning: "mountain," "summit," or "high point"
- Origin: Derived from the word "kohala," meaning "mountain" or "high point," referring to the Kohala Mountains on the island of Hawaiʻi.

13. **Hilo:**
- Meaning: "to be protected," "to be sheltered," or "a place of refuge"
- Origin: Derived from the word "hilo," meaning "to be protected," referring to the Hilo Bay, a sheltered harbor on the island of Hawaiʻi.

14. **Waimea:**
- Meaning: "red water," "water of the red earth," or "water of the red fish"
- Origin: Derived from the words "wai" (water) and "mea" (red), referring to the red-colored water caused by volcanic activity in the Waimea Bay on the island of Kauaʻi.

15. **Hana:**
- Meaning: "flower," "blossom," or "to blossom"
- Origin: Derived from the word "hana," meaning "flower" or "to blossom," referring to the lush vegetation in the Hana area on the island of Maui.

16. **Wailuku:**
- Meaning: "sacred water," "water of the gods," or "water of the spirits"
- Origin: Derived from the words "wai" (water) and "luku" (sacred), referring to the Wailuku River on the island of Maui, which was considered sacred by the Hawaiians.

17. **Lahaina:**
- Meaning: "cruel sun," "intense sun," or "merciless sun"
- Origin: Derived from the words "la" (sun) and "haina" (cruel), referring to the intense heat of the sun in the Lahaina area on the island of Maui.

18. **Kaʻanapali:**
- Meaning: "the place of the chiefs," "the place of the rulers," or "the royal place"
- Origin: Derived from the words "ka" (the), "ʻana" (place), and "pali" (cliff), referring to the high cliffs near the Kaʻanapali area on the island of Maui.

19. **Kailua:**
- Meaning: "two seas," "two waters," or "place of the two seas"
- Origin: Derived from the words "kai" (sea) and "lua" (two), referring to the two bodies of water that meet in the Kailua area on the island of Oʻahu.

20. **Waikiki:**
- Meaning: "spouting water," "spouting sea," or "water that flows"
- Origin: Derived from the words "wai" (water) and "kiki" (spouting), referring to the freshwater springs that once flowed into the ocean at the Waikiki area on the island of Oʻahu.

21. **Honolulu:**
- Meaning: "sheltered bay," "protected harbor," or "place of refuge"
- Origin: Derived from the words "honolu" (sheltered bay) and "ulu" (large), referring to the Honolulu Harbor, a protected harbor on the island of Oʻahu.

22. **Pearl Harbor:**
- Meaning: "harbor of pearls," "pearl bay," or "bay of pearls"
- Origin: Derived from the words "pearl" and "harbor," referring to the harbor where pearls were once harvested.

23. **Makaha:**
- Meaning: "face," "eye," or "look"
- Origin: Derived from the word "makaha," meaning "face" or "look," referring to the prominent cliffs that face the ocean in the Makaha area on the island of Oʻahu.

24. **North Shore:**
- Meaning: "the northern coast," "the northern shore"
- Origin: Refers to the northern coast of the island of Oʻahu, known for its big waves and surfing.

25. **Kahuku:**
- Meaning: "the place of the seabirds," "the place of the birds"
- Origin: Derived from the word "kahuku," meaning "sea bird," referring to the abundance of seabirds that once inhabited the Kahuku area on the island of Oʻahu.

26. **Waimanalo:**
- Meaning: "the place of the water," "the place of the springs," or "the place of the flowing water"
- Origin: Derived from the words "wai" (water) and "manalo" (flowing), referring to the freshwater springs and streams in the Waimanalo area on the island of Oʻahu.

27. **Kaneohe:**
- Meaning: "the place of the canoe," "the place of the boats," or "the place of the seafaring people"
- Origin: Derived from the word "kaneohe," meaning "canoe," referring to the importance of canoeing in the Kaneohe area on the island of Oʻahu.

28. **Moanalua:**
- Meaning: "the place of the fishponds," "the place of the cultivated fish"
- Origin: Derived from the words "moana" (ocean) and "lua" (fishpond), referring to the numerous fishponds that were once found in the Moanalua area on the island of Oʻahu.

29. **ʻEwa:**
- Meaning: "the place of the shark," "the place of the sea predator," or "the place of the sharp teeth"
- Origin: Derived from the word "ʻewa," meaning "shark," referring to the presence of sharks in the ʻEwa area on the island of Oʻahu.

30. **Waianae:**
- Meaning: "the place of the water," "the place of the springs," or "the place of the flowing water"
- Origin: Derived from the words "wai" (water) and "anae" (flowing), referring to the freshwater springs and streams in the Waianae area on the island of Oʻahu.

31. **Makaʻala:**
- Meaning: "awake," "alert," or "watchful"
- Origin: Derived from the word "makaʻala," meaning "awake" or "alert," referring to the importance of being vigilant and aware of one's surroundings.

32. **Makaweli:**
- Meaning: "the place of the eyes," "the place of the look," or "the place of the vision"
- Origin: Derived from the word "makaweli," meaning "eyes" or "vision," referring to the scenic views and the importance of observing one's surroundings.

33. **Poipu:**
- Meaning: "the place of the sea," "the place of the ocean," or "the place of the waves"
- Origin: Derived from the word "poipu," meaning "sea," referring to the location near the ocean in the Poipu area on the island of Kauaʻi.

34. **Koloa:**
- Meaning: "the place of the taro," "the place of the staple crop"
- Origin: Derived from the word "koloa," meaning "taro," referring to the cultivation of taro in the Koloa area on the island of Kauaʻi.

35. **Kekaha:**
- Meaning: "the place of the sea," "the place of the ocean," or "the place of the waves"
- Origin: Derived from the word "kekaha," meaning "sea," referring to the location near the ocean in the Kekaha area on the island of Kauaʻi.

36. **Eleʻele:**
- Meaning: "black," "dark," or "shadow"
- Origin: Derived from the word "eleʻele," meaning "black," referring to the dark volcanic soil in the Eleʻele area on the island of Kauaʻi.

37. **Hanalei:**
- Meaning: "bay of the gods," "bay of the spirits," or "sacred bay"
- Origin: Derived from the words "hana" (flower) and "lei" (garland), referring to the beautiful scenery and the sacred nature of the Hanalei Bay on the island of Kauaʻi.

38. **Princeville:**
- Meaning: "the place of the prince," "the royal place"
- Origin: Named after the Princeville Ranch, which was owned by a Hawaiian prince in the late 19th century.

39. **Kapaʻa:**
- Meaning: "the place of the tapa cloth," "the place of the bark cloth"
- Origin: Derived from the word "kapaʻa," meaning "tapa cloth," referring to the tradition of making tapa cloth in the Kapaʻa area on the island of Kauaʻi.

40. **Lihue:**
- Meaning: "the place of the rain," "the place of the clouds," or "the place of the mist"
- Origin: Derived from the word "lihue," meaning "rain" or "cloud," referring to the frequent rainfall in the Lihue area on the island of Kauaʻi.