Islands of Hawaii: A Comprehensive Guide to Their Names and Meanings

Discover the captivating history and culture of the Hawaiian Islands through the names of their eight major islands. Each name tells a unique story, revealing the land's volcanic origins, the beauty of its natural features, and the traditions of its people. From the majestic peak of Mauna Kea to the lush valleys of Kauai, each island holds a special place in the hearts of Hawaiians and visitors alike. Let's explore the origins and meanings of these remarkable island names, gaining a deeper understanding of the archipelago's rich heritage.
1. **Hawaiʻi**: The largest and youngest of the main Hawaiian Islands, Hawaiʻi (pronounced "Ha-vy-ee") gets its name from the Polynesian deity of creation, **Hawaiʻi Loa**. The name also means "home" or "place of the gods."

2. **Maui**: The second-largest island, Maui is named after the demigod **Maui**, known for his cunning and feats of strength, including fishing up the islands from the ocean floor.

3. **Oʻahu**: The third-largest island, Oʻahu (pronounced "Oh-ah-hoo") derives its name from the word **oʻahu**, meaning "gathering place" or "place of refuge," referring to its central location and its role as a gathering point for people and resources.

4. **Kauaʻi**: The oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands, Kauaʻi (pronounced "Cow-eye") is named after **Kauaʻi, the demigod son of Kāne**, the god of creation. The name also translates to "place of the rainbow" or "island of the long canoe."

5. **Molokaʻi**: The fifth-largest island, Molokaʻi (pronounced "Mo-lo-ka-ee") derives its name from the Hawaiian word **molokaʻi**, meaning "necklace" or "garland," referring to its shape.

6. **Lānaʻi**: The sixth-largest island, Lānaʻi (pronounced "La-nye") gets its name from the Hawaiian word **lānaʻi**, meaning "highland" or "plateau," referencing its elevated terrain.

7. **Niʻihau**: The smallest inhabited island, Niʻihau (pronounced "Nee-ee-how") derives its name from the Hawaiian word **niʻihau**, meaning "small" or "tiny," referring to its size.

8. **Kahoʻolawe**: The seventh-largest island, Kahoʻolawe (pronounced "Ka-ho-o-la-vay") gets its name from the Hawaiian word **kahoʻolawe**, meaning "place of the seabirds" or "island of the seabirds."

9. **Hāna**: Located on the island of Maui, Hāna (pronounced "Hah-nah") is a town renowned for its beauty and cultural significance. The name **Hāna** derives from the Hawaiian word **hana**, meaning "flower" or "blossom."

10. **Waimea**: Located on the islands of Kauaʻi and Oʻahu, Waimea (pronounced "Why-may-ah") is a name that appears in numerous places throughout the Hawaiian Islands. The name **Waimea** derives from the Hawaiian word **waimea**, meaning "reddish water" or "water of the red earth," referring to the reddish-brown color of the water in the Waimea River.

11. **Kailua**: Located on the island of Oʻahu, Kailua (pronounced "Kye-loo-ah") is a town known for its beautiful beaches and laid-back atmosphere. The name **Kailua** derives from the Hawaiian word **kailua**, meaning "two seas" or "place of the two seas."

12. **Kīlauea**: Located on the island of Hawaiʻi, Kīlauea (pronounced "Kee-low-way-ah") is an active volcano known for its frequent eruptions. The name **Kīlauea** derives from the Hawaiian word **kīlauea**, meaning "spouting" or "spreading," referring to the volcano's eruptive activity.

13. **Mauna Kea**: Located on the island of Hawaiʻi, Mauna Kea (pronounced "Mow-nah Kay-ah") is a dormant volcano, considered to be the highest mountain in the world when measured from its base on the ocean floor. The name **Mauna Kea** derives from the Hawaiian word **mauna**, meaning "mountain," and **kea**, meaning "white," referring to the snow that often caps the mountain's summit.

14. **Mauna Loa**: Located on the island of Hawaiʻi, Mauna Loa (pronounced "Mow-nah Low-ah") is an active volcano and the largest active volcano on Earth. The name **Mauna Loa** derives from the Hawaiian word **mauna**, meaning "mountain," and **loa**, meaning "long," referring to the volcano's elongated shape.

15. **Makaha**: Located on the island of Oʻahu, Makaha (pronounced "Mah-kah-hah") is a community known for its surfing and beautiful beaches. The name **Makaha** derives from the Hawaiian word **makaha**, meaning "eyes" or "vision," referencing the area's panoramic views.

16. **Kahului**: Located on the island of Maui, Kahului (pronounced "Kah-hoo-lee") is a major port town and commercial center. The name **Kahului** derives from the Hawaiian word **kahului**, meaning "place of the kahuli," referencing the **kahuli** (a type of native Hawaiian plant).

17. **Kailua-Kona**: Located on the island of Hawaiʻi, Kailua-Kona (pronounced "Kye-loo-ah Ko-nah") is a town known for its historical significance, coffee plantations, and its stunning sunsets. The name **Kailua-Kona** derives from the Hawaiian words **kailua**, meaning "two seas," and **kona**, meaning "leeward" or "western," referring to its location on the western coast of the island.

18. **Hilo**: Located on the island of Hawaiʻi, Hilo (pronounced "Hee-loh") is a town known for its lush rainforests, waterfalls, and its proximity to the active volcano Kīlauea. The name **Hilo** derives from the Hawaiian word **hilo**, meaning "twisted" or "coiled," referencing the winding course of the Wailuku River.

19. **Pāhoa**: Located on the island of Hawaiʻi, Pāhoa (pronounced "Pah-ho-ah") is a town known for its proximity to the active volcano Kīlauea. The name **Pāhoa** derives from the Hawaiian word **pāhoa**, meaning "feather" or "plume," referencing the plume of smoke that often rises from Kīlauea.

20. **Keauhou**: Located on the island of Hawaiʻi, Keauhou (pronounced "Kay-ow-hoo") is a historic coastal area known for its scenic beauty and cultural significance. The name **Keauhou** derives from the Hawaiian word **keauhou**, meaning "red" or "brown," referencing the color of the volcanic rocks in the area.

21. **Waipio**: Located on the island of Hawaiʻi, Waipio (pronounced "Why-pee-oh") is a valley known for its dramatic cliffs, verdant landscape, and its history as a place of refuge for native Hawaiians. The name **Waipio** derives from the Hawaiian word **waipio**, meaning "curving water" or "winding water," referencing the winding course of the Waipio River.

22. **Kohala**: Located on the island of Hawaiʻi, Kohala (pronounced "Ko-hah-lah") is a historic region known for its scenic beauty, its volcanic landscapes, and its rich cultural heritage. The name **Kohala** derives from the Hawaiian word **kohala**, meaning "mountain" or "peak," referencing the towering mountains that dominate the region.

23. **Hanalei**: Located on the island of Kauaʻi, Hanalei (pronounced "Hah-nay-lay") is a town known for its scenic bay, its lush valleys, and its laid-back atmosphere. The name **Hanalei** derives from the Hawaiian word **hanalei**, meaning "bay of the bow" or "bay of the curve," referencing the shape of the bay.

24. **Poipu**: Located on the island of Kauaʻi, Poipu (pronounced "Poh-ee-poo") is a coastal area known for its stunning beaches, its lush vegetation, and its historic significance. The name **Poipu** derives from the Hawaiian word **poipu**, meaning "coconut palm" or "place of the coconut palms."

25. **Koloa**: Located on the island of Kauaʻi, Koloa (pronounced "Koh-loh-ah") is a town known for its rich history, its sugar plantation past, and its charming atmosphere. The name **Koloa** derives from the Hawaiian word **koloa**, meaning "wild chicken" or "place of the wild chickens," referencing the presence of wild chickens in the area.

26. **Kekaha**: Located on the island of Kauaʻi, Kekaha (pronounced "Kay-kah-hah") is a town known for its agricultural heritage, its beautiful beaches, and its proximity to the Nā Pali Coast. The name **Kekaha** derives from the Hawaiian word **kekaha**, meaning "sharp" or "pointed," referencing the sharp cliffs that line the coastline.

27. **Waimea Canyon**: Located on the island of Kauaʻi, Waimea Canyon (pronounced "Why-may-ah Canyon") is a dramatic canyon known as the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific." The name **Waimea Canyon** derives from the Hawaiian word **waimea**, meaning "reddish water" or "water of the red earth," referencing the reddish-brown color of the water in the Waimea River.

28. **Nā Pali Coast**: Located on the island of Kauaʻi, the Nā Pali Coast (pronounced "Nah Pah-lee Coast") is a rugged and dramatic coastline known for its towering cliffs, secluded beaches, and lush vegetation. The name **Nā Pali Coast** derives from the Hawaiian word **nā pali**, meaning "the cliffs" or "the precipices."

29. **Lahaina**: Located on the island of Maui, Lahaina (pronounced "Lah-hye-nah") is a historic town known for its whaling past, its vibrant culture, and its beautiful harbor. The name **Lahaina** derives from the Hawaiian word **lahaina**, meaning "cruel" or "merciless," referencing the harsh conditions that whalers faced.

30. **Paia**: Located on the island of Maui, Paia (pronounced "Pie-ah") is a town known for its laid-back atmosphere, its surfing culture, and its eclectic mix of shops and restaurants. The name **Paia** derives from the Hawaiian word **paia**, meaning "to break" or "to split," referencing the way the waves break on the shore.

31. **Wailuku**: Located on the island of Maui, Wailuku (pronounced "Why-loo-koo") is a town known for its historic courthouse, its vibrant cultural scene, and its proximity to the Iao Valley. The name **Wailuku** derives from the Hawaiian word **wailuku**, meaning "sacred water" or "water of the gods," referencing the Iao Valley, which was considered a sacred place by native Hawaiians.

32. **Kihei**: Located on the island of Maui, Kihei (pronounced "Kee-hay") is a town known for its beautiful beaches, its vibrant nightlife, and its proximity to the Molokini crater. The name **Kihei** derives from the Hawaiian word **kihei**, meaning "shoulder cloak" or "cape," referencing the shape of the coastline.

33. **Makawao**: Located on the island of Maui, Makawao (pronounced "Mah-kah-wah-oh") is a town known for its agricultural heritage, its cowboy culture, and its scenic beauty. The name **Makawao** derives from the Hawaiian word **makawao**, meaning "place of the forest" or "place of the trees," referencing the lush forests that once covered the area.

34. **Hana**: Located on the island of Maui, Hana (pronounced "Hah-nah") is a town known for its beauty, its cultural significance, and its remote location. The name **Hana** derives from the Hawaiian word **hana**, meaning "flower" or "blossom," referencing the abundance of flowers in the area.

35. **Molokini**: Located off the coast of Maui, Molokini (pronounced "Mo-lo-kee-nee") is a partially submerged volcanic crater, now a popular snorkeling and diving destination. The name **Molokini** derives from the Hawaiian word **molokini**, meaning "eye of the needle," referencing the crater's shape.

36. **Lanai City**: Located on the island of Lānaʻi, Lānaʻi City (pronounced "La-nye City") is a town known for its historic pineapple plantations, its luxurious resorts, and its serene atmosphere. The name **Lānaʻi City** derives from the Hawaiian word **lānaʻi**, meaning "highland" or "plateau," referencing the elevated terrain of the island.

37. **Manele Bay**: Located on the island of Lānaʻi, Manele Bay (pronounced "Mah-nay-lay Bay") is a beautiful bay known for its pristine beaches, its stunning sunsets, and its luxurious resort. The name **Manele Bay** derives from the Hawaiian word **manele**, meaning "peace" or "tranquility," referencing the bay's serene atmosphere.

38. **Polihale**: Located on the island of Kauaʻi, Polihale (pronounced "Poh-lee-hah-lay") is a long, sandy beach known for its remote location, its stunning views, and its abundance of wildlife. The name **Polihale** derives from the Hawaiian word **polihale**, meaning "long sand" or "beach of long sand."

39. **Keʻanae**: Located on the island of Maui, Keʻanae (pronounced "Kay-ah-nay") is a small village known for its rugged coastline, its beautiful waterfalls, and its historic significance. The name **Keʻanae** derives from the Hawaiian word **keʻanae**, meaning "place of the small fish" or "place of the fishpond," referencing the fishponds that were once located in the area.

40. **Napili**: Located on the island of Maui, Napili (pronounced "Nah-pee-lee") is a small bay known for its beautiful beaches, its calm waters, and its laid-back atmosphere. The name **Napili** derives from the Hawaiian word **napili**, meaning "small coconut palm" or "place of the small coconut palms."