Hawaii – Hawaii's capital is Honolulu

(Pronounced huh-wye-ee and hon-uh-loo-loo)

NOTE:

We are going to assume that you can already picture Hawaii as people greeting you at the airport in grass skirts.

To remember the capital of the US state Hawaii, use the following mnemonic:

In Hawaii, I was greeted by a girl in a grass skirt dancing on a loo... and another on a loo (Honolulu).

The state of Hawaii includes almost an entire Pacific Ocean archipelago (island group) which comprises 137 islands spread over about 1,500 miles (2,400 kilometres). The largest island of the group is called Hawaii Island, or "Big Island" to avoid confusion with the state name. Hawaii is about 2,500 miles from the U.S. mainland. It joined the Union on August 21, 1959 – the most recent state to do so. Hawaii's diverse scenery, warm climate, beautiful beaches and active volcanoes make it a magnet for tourists. With around 1.4 million residents, it is one of the least-populated states. Its exports include food and clothing. About 75,000 U.S. Department of Defense personnel are stationed in Hawaii.

Interesting facts about Honolulu:

- Royal Palace: Honolulu is home to Iolani Palace, the only official royal palace located on United States soil, having served as the residence of the Hawaiian monarchy before the overthrow of the kingdom.

- Isolated Capital: As the capital of Hawaii, Honolulu sits on the island of Oahu, making it the westernmost major city in the United States and geographically isolated by thousands of miles of open Pacific Ocean from the mainland.

- Extinct Volcano: The city’s iconic backdrop, Diamond Head (known locally as Leahi), is a massive volcanic tuff cone crater formed over three hundred thousand years ago through a single, explosive eruption.