The People

The people are largely native-born and highly mixed in racial and national descent. In 2000 nearly 42 per cent were of Asian ancestry, especially Japanese, but also Filipino, Chinese, and Korean. Slightly less than one-quarter were white. Native Hawaiians made up 6.6 per cent of the population. The rest were of mixed ancestry. People of Hispanic origin, especially Puerto Rican, made up 7.2 per cent of the population.

Hawaii is the only state to have two official languages, English and Hawaiian. Hawaiian is a Polynesian language. About one-third of the people are Protestants; one-third, Roman Catholics; and the remainder, Buddhists, Jews, or followers of Hawaiian traditional religions.

Annual events in Hawaii
January-March
Hula Bowl college all-star football game on Maui (January); Narcissus Festival in Honolulu (January); NFL Pro Bowl (February); Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival on Hawaii Island (February).
April-June
Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo (April); Lei Day, statewide (May 1); Kauai World Challenge/Annual OC1, OC2, and Surfski Relay Race (May); 50th State Fair on Oahu (May-June); Miss Hawaii Scholarship Pageant in Honolulu (June); King Kamehameha celebration, statewide (June).
July-September
Makawao Rodeo on Maui (July); Japanese Bon Dances at Buddhist centers (weekends during July and August); Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament on Hawaii Island (August); Keiki Hula Festival in Honolulu (August); Macadamia Nut Harvest Festival on Hawaii (August); Hawaii County Fair in Hilo (September).
October-December
Orchid Plant and Flower Show in Honolulu (October); Kona Coffee Festival on Hawaii Island (November); Hawaiian Pro Surfing on the North Shore of Oahu (November or December); Honolulu Marathon in Honolulu (December).