Hawaii

Pronunciation

• IPA: /hÉ™.ˈwaɪ.i/, /hÉ™.ˈwɑː.i/, /hÉ™.ˈwɑː.jÉ™/
• Hawaii IPA: /həˈvaɪʔi/, /həˈvɑːʔi/

Alternative forms

• HawaiÊ»i

Origin

From Hawaiian Hawaiʻi, from Proto-Polynesian *Sawaiki ("traditional homeland").

POLLEX entry

Full definition of Hawaii

Proper noun

1. A state of the United States of America. The capital is Honolulu, on the island of Oahu. It is the fiftieth state to join the United States. The nickname is the Aloha State. It is located from 19° to 23° N latitude, with the eight main islands from 155° to 162° W longitude and including many smaller islands extending westward.
2. A chain of islands in the Pacific Ocean between North America and Oceania. Also called the Hawaiian Islands and formerly the Sandwich Islands. The larger islands are:Kauai (Kauaʻi)Hawaii (Hawaiʻi, the Big Island)Lanai (Lānaʻi)MauiMolokai (Molokaʻi)Niihau NiʻihauOahu (Oʻahu)
3. The proper name of the largest of the Hawaiian Islands, also called the Big Island. The Big Island lies southeast of the other islands.

Usage notes

The standard spelling in the islands is Hawaiʻi, where the ʻ indicates a glottal stop or phonemic glide.

Derived terms

• HA
• Hawaiian
• hawaiite