Hawaiian Islands: Names and Meanings

Discover the captivating names of the eight main Hawaiian islands and delve into their rich cultural significance. Each island name tells a story, reflecting ancient beliefs, geographical features, and the island's unique essence. Explore the meanings behind these names and gain a deeper understanding of the Hawaiian archipelago's history and mythology.
1. **Hawaiʻi:** "Home of the gods" or "place of the gods," referring to its sacred status in Hawaiian mythology and its position as the largest and youngest island.

2. **Maui:** Named after the demigod Maui, known for his cunning and ability to lasso the sun. Maui is also home to Haleakalā, a dormant volcano often translated as "house of the sun."

3. **Oʻahu:** "Gathering place" or "place of gathering," referring to its historical role as a center of political power and commerce.

4. **Kauaʻi:** "The Garden Isle," known for its lush vegetation, dramatic cliffs, and pristine beaches. The name likely comes from the word "kaua," meaning "to gather," referencing its abundance.

5. **Molokaʻi:** "Necklace," referring to its shape resembling a necklace when viewed from the sea. It was also historically a major center for canoe building.

6. **Lānaʻi:** "High terrace" or "place of the terrace," referencing its high, flat plateau in the center of the island.

7. **Niʻihau:** "A place of refuge" or "the island that is small," known for its isolated location, small size, and strong preservation of traditional Hawaiian culture.

8. **Kahoʻolawe:** "The place of the god Kāne," referring to the god of creation and fertility. It is the smallest of the main islands and historically served as a target for military training.

9. **Kaʻula:** "The place of Kaʻula" or "the little island," a small island located northwest of Niʻihau. It is home to a rare bird species, the Nihoa millerbird.

10. **Molokini:** "A small island," a crescent-shaped islet off the coast of Maui that forms a protected lagoon. It is a popular spot for snorkeling and scuba diving.

11. **Moku Manu:** "Bird Island," a tiny, uninhabited island located north of Kaʻula. It is named for the many seabirds that nest there.

12. **Mokuʻauia:** "Island of the shark," a small island located near Niʻihau. It is said to be the home of a powerful shark deity.

13. **Lisianski Island:** Named after the Russian explorer, Yuri Lysiansky, who was the first European to map the island.

14. **Necker Island:** Named after the British explorer, James Cook, who called the island "Bird Island" and later renamed it "Necker Island" after a friend.

15. **French Frigate Shoals:** Named for the French frigate "La Vénus," which visited the shoals in the 18th century.

16. **Gardner Pinnacles:** Named after the American whaler, James Gardner, who discovered the pinnacled rocks in the 19th century.

17. **Kure Atoll:** Named after the Japanese whaler, Captain Kure, who visited the atoll in the 19th century.

18. **Midway Atoll:** Named for its location halfway between North America and Asia.

19. **Pearl and Hermes Atoll:** Named for the whaling ships "Pearl" and "Hermes," which were wrecked in the area in the 19th century.

20. **Raita Bank:** A submerged reef named after the ship "Raita," which struck the reef in 1911.

21. **Hōlua:** "Place of sliding," referring to its history as a traditional Hawaiian sledding site.

22. **Nā Pali:** "The cliffs," referring to the dramatic, rugged cliffs along the Na Pali Coast on Kauaʻi.

23. **Waimea Canyon:** "Red water canyon," named for the red soil that colors the canyon's walls. It is often referred to as the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific."

24. **Kīlauea:** "Spreading" or "spewing," referring to the volcano's continuous eruption and lava flows.

25. **Mauna Kea:** "White Mountain," named for the snow that often covers its summit during the winter months. It is the tallest mountain in the world when measured from its base on the ocean floor.

26. **Mauna Loa:** "Long Mountain," named for its long, sloping sides. It is the largest volcano on Earth by volume.

27. **Haleakalā:** "House of the sun," referring to the dormant volcano on Maui. It is said to be the home of the demigod Maui.

28. **Kohala:** "Place of the Kohala," referring to the extinct volcano on the Big Island. It is said to be the home of the Hawaiian deity, Kāne.

29. **Waipio Valley:** "Curved water," named for the valley's curved shape and the river that flows through it.

30. **Hanakapiʻai Falls:** "Place where the water is hidden," referring to the hidden waterfall at the end of a scenic trail in Na Pali Coast State Wilderness Park.

31. **Poipu Beach:** "Place of the sweet potato," named for the sweet potatoes that were once cultivated in the area.

32. **Lanai City:** "Place of the terrace," referring to the high, flat plateau on Lānaʻi where the city is located.

33. **Kailua-Kona:** "Place of the sea," named for the bay where the city is located.

34. **Honolulu:** "Protected bay," named for the harbor that was once a safe haven for canoes.

35. **Waikiki:** "Spouting water," named for the fresh water that once gushed out of the ground in the area.

36. **Pearl Harbor:** "Harbor of the pearl," named for the pearl oysters that were once found in the harbor.

37. **Makaha:** "The face," referring to the cliffs that resemble a face when viewed from the sea.

38. **Kahului:** "Place of the Kahula," referring to a traditional Hawaiian god of the sea.

39. **Keauhou:** "Place of the sea," referring to the bay where the historic Hawaiian village of Keauhou was located.

40. **Hilo:** "Place of the Hilo," referring to a traditional Hawaiian god of the mountains.