The Hawaiian Islands are an island group in the North Pacific Ocean. The archipelago consists of 8 major islands and nearly 130 minor islands, islets, and atolls. The US state of Hawaii includes all the islands in the Hawaiian archipelago except for Midway Atoll, which is an unorganized, unincorporated territory of the United States.
Number of islands in Hawaii
The 8 major islands of Hawaii are:
| Area rank | Island | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaiʻi, also known as the Big Island | 4,028 square miles (10,432.5 square kilometers) |
| 2 | Maui | 727.2 square miles (1,883.4 square kilometers) |
| 3 | Oʻahu | 596.7 square miles (1,545.4 square kilometers) |
| 4 | Kauaʻi | 552.3 square miles (1,430.5 square kilometers) |
| 5 | Molokaʻi | 260 square miles (673.4 square kilometers) |
| 6 | Lānaʻi | 140.5 square miles (363.9 square kilometers) |
| 7 | Niʻihau | 69.5 square miles (180 square kilometers) |
| 8 | Kahoʻolawe | 44.6 square miles (115.5 square kilometers) |
The Hawaiian Islands are actually the exposed tops of an underwater mountain range known as the Hawaiian-Emperor seamount chain. The highest peak in the range is Mauna Kea, which rises to an elevation of 13,802 feet (4,207 meters) above sea level.
What is the largest island in Hawaii?
Hawai‘i, also known as the Big Island, is the largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago. It is also the largest island in the United States by area.
When did Hawaii become a state of the US?
Hawaii joined the United States of America on August 21, 1959, as the 50th US state.
How far is Hawaii from the contiguous US?
The major Hawaiian islands are approximately 2,300 miles from the contiguous United States.
Out of the 8 major islands in Hawaii, how many are uninhabited?
Kahoʻolawe is the only major island in Hawaii that is uninhabited.
What is the highest natural point in Hawaii?
Mauna Kea (13,802 ft/4,207 m), located on the Big Island (Hawaiʻi Island), is the highest natural point in all of Hawaii.
What is the capital of Hawaii state?
Honolulu is the capital of the state of Hawaii. The city is located on the island of Oʻahu.
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