A view of Waikane on O‘ahu’s eastern shore.

Warren Ishii / Getty Images

How Much Do You Know About the Hawaiian Islands?

Take our quiz to impress your travel companions and learn interesting facts about our 50th state

Kimberly Ferrante,

Updated February 05, 2024

AARP

En español

Published October 06, 2022

/ Updated February 05, 2024

10 Questions

How Much Do You Know About the Hawaiian Islands?

[ {
 "question" : "How many main islands make up the state of Hawai‘i?\n",
 "answers" : [ {
 "answer" : "6",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "8",
 "correctAnswer" : true
 }, {
 "answer" : "12",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "18",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 } ],
 "multiSelect" : false,
 "explanation" : "There are eight main islands: Kaua‘i, O‘ahu, Moloka‘i, Lāna‘i, Maui, Island of Hawai‘i, Ni‘ihau and Kaho‘olawe. (Ni‘ihau and Kaho‘olawe are not typically open to visitors.) There are actually 137 islands in all, which make up the state.\n",
 "hint" : "",
 "hintLink" : "",
 "questionImgCaption" : "",
 "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
 "question" : "Which verdant island is the oldest of the main islands?\n",
 "answers" : [ {
 "answer" : "Maui",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "Kaua‘i",
 "correctAnswer" : true
 }, {
 "answer" : "O‘ahu",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "Moloka‘i",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 } ],
 "multiSelect" : false,
 "explanation" : "Kaua‘i is the oldest — researchers estimate the island to be about 5 million years old — but the “Garden Island” always has something new and interesting for visitors. For easy access to the beach, splurge at Ko‘a Kea Resort. Secure an ocean-view room, recently renovated in 2022. At the on-site restaurant, Red Salt, be sure to start your day with local flavors such as lemon pineapple soufflé pancakes and end it with seared furikake ahi steak.\n",
 "hint" : "",
 "hintLink" : "",
 "questionImgCaption" : "",
 "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
 "question" : "True or false:&nbsp;You can mail an unwrapped, unboxed coconut to anywhere in the continental U.S. from Hawai‘i.\n",
 "answers" : [ {
 "answer" : "True",
 "correctAnswer" : true
 }, {
 "answer" : "False",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 } ],
 "multiSelect" : false,
 "explanation" : "Talk about a cool postcard. Not only can you mail that unwrapped coconut stateside, but you also can decorate it yourself (take it to the airport first for agricultural inspection) or purchase a predecorated one from local post offices or retail stores. They are the perfect souvenir to send your loved ones, and as an added bonus, that leftover room in your suitcase can be filled with even more island finds.\n",
 "hint" : "",
 "hintLink" : "",
 "questionImgCaption" : "",
 "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
 "question" : "Which of the following activities is illegal in Hawai‘i?\n",
 "answers" : [ {
 "answer" : "Taking driftwood from the beach",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "Wearing shoes into someone’s home",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "Gambling",
 "correctAnswer" : true
 }, {
 "answer" : "None of the above",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 } ],
 "multiSelect" : false,
 "explanation" : "While it is tradition on the islands to take your shoes off when entering someone’s home, it is not illegal to leave them on, just rude. However, gambling is illegal. Alongside Utah, Hawai‘i is one of two states with this law. As such, Las Vegas has become a popular vacation spot for native islanders.\n",
 "hint" : "",
 "hintLink" : "",
 "questionImgCaption" : "",
 "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
 "question" : "Hawai‘i is the only state in the U.S. with two official languages: English and Hawaiian. However, what is the name of the slang language that was developed during the plantation era?\n",
 "answers" : [ {
 "answer" : "Pidgin",
 "correctAnswer" : true
 }, {
 "answer" : "Cockney",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "Geechee",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "Yiddish",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 } ],
 "multiSelect" : false,
 "explanation" : "Pidgin is a multicultural slang used by those born and raised on the islands. You may hear phrases like “broke da mouth” (extremely delicious), “howzit” (how are you) and “da kine” — a term that can mean everything or nothing. (That last one is tricky and can be used in a multitude of situations.) To avoid any confusion, it’s probably best to leave the slang to the locals.\n",
 "hint" : "",
 "hintLink" : "",
 "questionImgCaption" : "",
 "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
 "question" : "True or false: You can visit historic Ford Island, the center of the Pearl Harbor Naval Complex.\n",
 "answers" : [ {
 "answer" : "True",
 "correctAnswer" : true
 }, {
 "answer" : "False",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 } ],
 "multiSelect" : false,
 "explanation" : "Ford Island is home to the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum — which features two historic World War II–era hangars with authentic and restored aircraft and other artifacts. The iconic World War II landmark, Ford Island Control Tower, is open to the public with the Top of the Tower tour. Visitors can view the Pearl Harbor battlefield from 168 feet above the harbor and take in 360-degree views of Pearl Harbor from the observation deck.\n",
 "hint" : "",
 "hintLink" : "",
 "questionImgCaption" : "",
 "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
 "question" : "True or false: California and Hawai‘i are in the same time zone.\n",
 "answers" : [ {
 "answer" : "True",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "False",
 "correctAnswer" : true
 } ],
 "multiSelect" : false,
 "explanation" : "According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the islands use Hawaii Standard Time (HST) — which is two hours behind California during standard time (November through March) and three hours behind the rest of the year. \n",
 "hint" : "",
 "hintLink" : "",
 "questionImgCaption" : "",
 "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
 "question" : "Which of the main islands is uninhabited?\n",
 "answers" : [ {
 "answer" : "Kaho‘olawe",
 "correctAnswer" : true
 }, {
 "answer" : "Kaua‘i",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "Ni‘ihau",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "Moloka‘i",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 } ],
 "multiSelect" : false,
 "explanation" : "Kaho‘olawe, coming in at only 45 square miles, is the smallest of the main Hawaiian Islands. It is also the only uninhabitable island of the eight main ones. It was a munitions testing and bombing exercise location for the U.S. government from 1941 to 1990. The only way to visit Kaho‘olawe and its surrounding waters is to volunteer with the Kaho‘olawe Island Reserve Commission to help with restoration of the island.\n",
 "hint" : "",
 "hintLink" : "",
 "questionImgCaption" : "",
 "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
 "question" : "True or false: Waiʻānapanapa State Park beach on Maui is best known for its red sand beaches and attracts visitors from all over the world.\n",
 "answers" : [ {
 "answer" : "True",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "False",
 "correctAnswer" : true
 } ],
 "multiSelect" : false,
 "explanation" : "Waiʻānapanapa, which means glistening waters, does attract visitors from all over but they come for the black sand beach. It became so popular that in March 2021, all out-of-state residents must make a reservation to see the unique beach and amazing coastal views.\n",
 "hint" : "",
 "hintLink" : "",
 "questionImgCaption" : "",
 "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
 "question" : "Which of the main islands is Hawai‘i’s only fully private island?\n",
 "answers" : [ {
 "answer" : "Lāna‘i",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "Kaua‘i",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "Ni‘ihau",
 "correctAnswer" : true
 }, {
 "answer" : "Moloka‘i",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 } ],
 "multiSelect" : false,
 "explanation" : "Ni‘ihau is the only fully private island in Hawai‘i, purchased in 1864 by the Sinclair family for less than most used cars cost today. The approximately 70-square-mile island is home to 84 full-time residents. There are no paved roads, indoor plumbing or modern infrastructure except for a school run by solar panels installed 17 years ago. The main source of income on the island is making and selling Ni‘ihau shell leis.\n",
 "hint" : "",
 "hintLink" : "",
 "questionImgCaption" : "",
 "questionImgCredit" : ""
} ]

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How Much Do You Know About the Hawaiian Islands?

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Kimberly Ferrante is an award-winning journalist based in Plano, Texas. Her work has appeared in Road Trip, Island Soul, Explore the Northshore and The Lens.