The People of Hawaii
The beauty of Hawaii is matched by the people who call the Islands home, each contributing to the aloha spirit that shapes daily life here. Hawaii is one of America's most diverse states, with Native Hawaiian roots, Asian communities, Pacific Islander families, multiracial households, military families, long-time local residents and newcomers from many parts of the world.
Christian missionaries from New England arrived in the Islands in 1820, dramatically impacting the Native Hawaiian population through disease and cultural change while steadily growing the Caucasian or "haole" population. The present cultural mix is also tied to the migration of sugarcane and pineapple workers from China, Japan, the Philippines, Korea, Portugal, Puerto Rico and other places in the mid to late 1800s.
Today, the island of Oahu has more residents than any other Hawaiian island and is nicknamed "The Gathering Place." Samoans, Tongans, Hawaiians, Chinese, Japanese, Maori, Canadians, Tahitians, Vietnamese, Spaniards, Scottish, Irish, Italians and many other ethnic groups contribute to Hawaii's modern population. Whatever island you are on, you are likely to meet people with different backgrounds, family histories and island stories to share.
With Hawaii's mix of cultures, it is common to hear several languages and speech patterns in daily life, including Samoan, Portuguese, Japanese, Hawaiian, Chinese and Pidgin, a local creole language shaped by Hawaiian, English and plantation-era immigrant languages.
Population Trends
Hawaii's population grew between the 2000 and 2010 Census counts and again between the 2010 and 2020 Census counts. More recent estimates show a population decline after 2020, influenced by migration, housing costs and the high cost of living. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated Hawaii's population at 1,432,820 in 2025, down from the 2020 Census base of 1,455,267.
Oahu remains the population center of the state. In 2024, Honolulu County, which includes Oahu, accounted for 69.1% of Hawaii's population. Hawaii County accounted for 14.5%, Maui County 11.3% and Kauai County 5.1%.
Population Statistics
State of Hawaii
- Population estimate, July 1, 2025: 1,432,820
- Population estimate, July 1, 2024: 1,446,146
- Population base, April 1, 2020: 1,455,267
- Recent trend: Hawaii's population has declined since the 2020 Census base.
Ethnicity and Race
- Asian alone: 37.4%
- White alone: 25.1%
- Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone: 10.4%
- Two or more races: 24.5%
- Hispanic or Latino: 10.2%
- Black or African American alone: 2.2%
- American Indian and Alaska Native alone: 0.4%
Hispanic or Latino residents may be of any race, so that category can overlap with the race categories above.
Hawaii State and County Population
Population share by county, 2024 estimate:
| County / Island Area | Share of State Population |
|---|---|
| Honolulu County / Oahu | 69.1% |
| Hawaii County / Big Island of Hawaii | 14.5% |
| Maui County / Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Kahoolawe | 11.3% |
| Kauai County / Kauai and Niihau | 5.1% |
Tourism in Hawaii
The late 1800s marked the beginning of tourism in the Islands, an industry that grew rapidly after Hawaii became a state in 1959 and jet travel made the Islands easier to reach. Tourism remains one of Hawaii's most important industries and affects employment, housing, transportation, local businesses and daily life in many communities.
Visitor arrivals change from year to year based on airfare, global travel trends, exchange rates, natural disasters, economic conditions and island-specific events. After the pandemic and the 2023 Maui wildfires, Hawaii's visitor industry continued to recover unevenly, with some islands and businesses affected more than others.
Military Presence in Hawaii
As the gateway to the Pacific, Hawaii is home to a major military presence. Military installations and personnel are especially important on Oahu, where they influence housing, jobs, transportation, schools and local communities.
Military installations in Hawaii include:
Air Force: Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and related facilities
Army: Fort Shafter, Schofield Barracks, Tripler Army Medical Center and Pohakuloa Training Area
Coast Guard: Coast Guard District Fourteen and related Hawaii stations
Marine Corps: Marine Corps Base Hawaii
Navy: Pearl Harbor facilities, Pacific communications facilities and training areas including Barking Sands
Recent state military-impact reporting notes that the military supports tens of thousands of personnel in Hawaii, including active-duty service members, dependents, civilians, reservists and National Guard members.
