Aloha! On Which Island? Trivia Quiz

Answer: O'ahu

Waikiki, Honolulu, and the majority of the state's population are located on O'ahu, despite it being the third largest of the Hawaiian Islands.

Note: Notice the "apostrophes" in some island names? Those are called 'okina, and they are an important part of pronouncing Hawaiian words properly. It's technically called a glottal stop, and it means that you should stop and insert a pause there. Example: Kaua'i is pronounced "cow-ah-ee," not "cow-why." Therefore, this question's answer should be pronounced "Oh-ah-who" instead of "Wahoo."

Answer: Volcanoes National Park

Often called "The Big Island," the island of Hawai'i is the largest island in the archipelago. Kilauea Volcano, located within the park, is the most active volcano in the world. It has been erupting for over 25 years!

Answer: False

Kaua'i's lush mountains and deeply-carved valleys were the setting for Steven Spielberg's groundbreaking CG dinosaur movie. However, with one scene remaining, Hurricane Iniki engulfed the island in 1992. The visitor's center set and mock security fences were destroyed. Spielberg sent a crew out to the Nawiliwili Harbor to film the storm surge, and that can be seen in the surveillance camera "storm" footage in the movie.

The remaining scene (a stampede of ostrich-like dinosaurs) was filmed on Kualoa Ranch on O'ahu. The ranch has since cashed in on that one scene, and is now the self-proclaimed movie location capital of Hawaii, providing locations for many movies and the TV series "Lost."

However, Kaua'i has played host to many movie productions, including "Blue Hawaii," the first scene in "Raiders of the Lost Ark," "Six Days, Seven Nights," and "Outbreak."

Answer: Hawai'i

One of the world's largest collections of telescopes sits atop Mauna Kea, a peak so tall that it actually gets a dusting of snow in the winter! Taller than Japan's Mt. Fuji, its summit sits above the cloud line and is one of the best places to have a clear, unobstructed view of the stars. These optimal conditions persuaded Japan to build its national observatory here.

Answer: Lahaina

Hawaii was an important stop for whaling fleets in the 19th century. The most bustling port of call was Lahaina, on the west coast of Maui. Its importance was one reason it was the capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom under Kamehameha III's rule.

Today, it is home to most of Maui's resorts. However, it is also a historic preservation district, so the town and architecture retain its nostalgic flavor. You can also see an old rigged ship named the Carthiginian.

Answer: O'ahu

It's believed that surfing was invented in Hawaii, and it's not hard to see that with all these great waves. However, did you know that the surf spots mentioned above only have huge waves in the winter?

Storms near Alaska send waves halfway across the Pacific and hit the North Shore of the islands. In summer, hurricanes passing south of us bring surf to south-facing shores like Waikiki, Ala Moana, and Sandy Beach.

Answer: a Hansen's Disease colony

A sad chapter in Hawaii's history, people suffering from Hansen's disease (leprosy) were tossed from boats and forced to live on a small peninsula on the north side of Molokai. Surrounded by high cliffs (including the world's highest sea cliffs), the patients were cared for by Father Damien de Veuster and nuns from his order.

Father Damien, a Belgian Catholic missionary who died of the same disease that claimed his patients, was beatified on June 4, 1995. On February 21, 2009, the Vatican announced that he would be canonized.

Answer: Kaua'i

Waimea Canyon, known by the above nickname, was formed by the collapse of a volcano, additional lava flows, and erosion. These were caused by the rains of Mt. Wai'ale'ale, one of the rainiest spots in the world. Though only ten miles long, its vistas stained red, green, and brown will take your breath away.

Answer: False

On New Year's Day, 1994, Bill and Melinda Gates were married on the golf course of the Manele Bay Hotel, one of two luxury hotels that have recently been built on the tiny island of Lana'i. Until the 1980s, the entire island was a pineapple plantation.

The island's laid back atmosphere and intimate privacy has attracted a lot of exclusive celebrities looking to stay out of the public's eye while vacationing.

For those of us who aren't part of that elite society, the Hotel Lanai is the hometown choice.

Answer: Kaho'olawe

You won't find this in any guidebook. The island of Kaho'olawe, just off the south coast of Maui, was used by the military for target practice and bombing runs from just after the Pearl Harbor attack until 1990. The island was littered with unexploded ordnance and its fragile water table destroyed by a test bomb in 1965.

Considered a god by the Native Hawaiians, the only way to visit this uninhabited island and witness its archaeological sites, fishing shrines, and the largest adze quarry in Polynesia is by special permission.

From historic sites, places of great natural beauty, and sad reminders of the turbulent past, Hawaii is a rare and unique place worthy of our respect and attention. Hope you enjoyed this tour and are inspired to learn more. A hui hou!