Island Names of Hawaii: A Comprehensive Guide to Their Meanings

Discover the captivating stories behind the names of Hawaii's eight major islands. From the volcanic origins of "Big Island" to the lush beauty of Kauai, each name holds a unique cultural significance. Dive into the rich Polynesian language and explore the meanings that connect these islands to their past, present, and future.
1. **Hawaiʻi**: "Home of the Gods" or "The Place Where the Gods Dwell." This name reflects the deep spiritual connection the Hawaiians have with their islands.

2. **Maui**: "The Immortal One" or "The Demigod." Maui was a legendary trickster god who performed many feats of great strength and cunning.

3. **Oʻahu**: "Gathering Place" or "Place of Refuge." The island was historically a center for trade and a place where people sought safety during times of conflict.

4. **Kauaʻi**: "The Garden Isle" or "The Island of the Rainbow." This name alludes to the lush, verdant beauty of the island and its abundance of rainfall.

5. **Molokaʻi**: "The Leper Island" or "The Island of the Beggars." The name is derived from the word "molo," meaning beggar. Unfortunately, the island became associated with the treatment of leprosy patients in the late 19th century. However, it is also known for its breathtaking natural beauty and its rich cultural heritage.

6. **Lānaʻi**: "The Island of the High Chief" or "The Island of the King." The name likely refers to the historical importance of the island as a royal estate.

7. **Niʻihau**: "The Island of the Fragrant Flowers" or "The Island of the White Flower." Niʻihau is known for its unique cultural practices and its traditional Hawaiian language.

8. **Kahoʻolawe**: "The Island of the Fledgling Bird" or "The Island of the Lost Bird." The name alludes to the island's isolation and its role as a refuge for birds.

9. **Kauaʻi**: "The Garden Isle" or "The Island of the Rainbow"

10. **Oʻahu**: "Gathering Place" or "Place of Refuge"

11. **Maui**: "The Immortal One" or "The Demigod"

12. **Molokaʻi**: "The Leper Island" or "The Island of the Beggars."

13. **Hawaiʻi**: "Home of the Gods" or "The Place Where the Gods Dwell."

14. **Lānaʻi**: "The Island of the High Chief" or "The Island of the King."

15. **Niʻihau**: "The Island of the Fragrant Flowers" or "The Island of the White Flower."

16. **Kahoʻolawe**: "The Island of the Fledgling Bird" or "The Island of the Lost Bird."

17. **Hawaiki**: "The Original Home" or "The Sacred Land." This name refers to the mythical ancestral homeland of the Polynesian people.

18. **ʻEwa**: "The Land of the High Chief" or "The Land of the King." ʻEwa was a major center of power on Oʻahu and is now a large community on the island's west side.

19. **Waimea**: "The Water of the Red Earth" or "The Water of the Valley." Waimea is a beautiful town on the island of Kauaʻi.

20. **Kailua**: "Two Seas" or "The Place Where the Two Seas Meet." Kailua is a town on the island of Oʻahu, known for its stunning beaches.

21. **Honolulu**: "Sheltered Harbor" or "Place of Peace." Honolulu is the capital of Hawaiʻi and is a vibrant city on the island of Oʻahu.

22. **Wailuku**: "The Place Where the Water Flows" or "The Place Where the Water is Abundant." Wailuku is a town on the island of Maui, known for its stunning scenery.

23. **Kahului**: "The Place Where the Current Turns" or "The Place Where the Water Flows Backwards." Kahului is a town on the island of Maui, located near the island's largest harbor.

24. **Pāhoa**: "The Place of the Flowers" or "The Place Where the Flowers Bloom." Pāhoa is a town on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi, known for its rich volcanic landscape.

25. **Hilo**: "The Place Where the Rain Falls" or "The Place of Abundant Rainfall." Hilo is a town on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi, known for its lush tropical environment.

26. **Keauhou**: "The Place Where the Sea Meets the Land" or "The Place Where the Land Turns Toward the Sea." Keauhou is a resort area on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi, located near a historical harbor.

27. **Kohala**: "The Place Where the Mountain Stands" or "The Place of the High Mountain." Kohala is a region on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi, known for its majestic mountain range.

28. **Kona**: "The Place Where the Wind Blows" or "The Place of the Leeward Side." Kona is a region on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi, known for its sunny weather and its coffee plantations.

29. **Waipio**: "The Place of the Curved Water" or "The Place Where the Water Turns." Waipio Valley is a breathtaking valley on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi, known for its towering waterfalls and lush vegetation.

30. **Makaha**: "The Place of the Face" or "The Place Where the Face is Seen." Makaha is a town on the island of Oʻahu, known for its surfing beaches.

31. **Hanalei**: "The Bay of the Sound of the Ocean" or "The Bay of the Sound of the Waves." Hanalei is a town on the island of Kauaʻi, known for its picturesque bay.

32. **Poipu**: "The Place of the Lizard" or "The Place Where the Lizards Live." Poipu is a resort area on the island of Kauaʻi, known for its beautiful beaches.

33. **Keʻanae**: "The Place Where the Sea Enters the Land" or "The Place Where the Land Meets the Sea." Keʻanae is a small village on the island of Maui, known for its stunning coastline.

34. **Lahaina**: "The Place of the Sun" or "The Place Where the Sun Rises." Lahaina is a town on the island of Maui, known for its rich historical significance.

35. **Hāna**: "The Place Where the Sun Rises" or "The Place of the Morning Sun." Hāna is a town on the island of Maui, known for its scenic beauty and its traditional Hawaiian culture.

36. **Kahuku**: "The Place Where the Sea Meets the Land" or "The Place Where the Land Meets the Sea." Kahuku is a town on the island of Oʻahu, known for its pristine beaches and its agricultural lands.

37. **Kailua-Kona**: "Two Seas" or "The Place Where the Two Seas Meet." Kailua-Kona is a town on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi, known for its stunning beaches and its historical significance.

38. **Waimanalo**: "The Place Where the Water Flows" or "The Place Where the Water is Abundant." Waimanalo is a town on the island of Oʻahu, known for its beautiful beaches and its agricultural lands.

39. **Kaneohe**: "The Place Where the Water is Clear" or "The Place Where the Water is Deep." Kaneohe is a town on the island of Oʻahu, known for its scenic bay and its beautiful beaches.

40. **Pearl Harbor**: "The Place Where the Pearl is Found" or "The Place Where the Pearl is Sought." Pearl Harbor is a historic harbor on the island of Oʻahu, known for its significant role in World War II.