Hawaii Quarter
Coin Description
The Story
The final quarter of 2008 and of the United States Mint’s 50 State Quarters Program honors the 50th state, Hawaii. This state, spelled “Hawai’i” in the Hawaiian language, is nicknamed “The Aloha State.” “Aloha” is a Hawaiian word with many meanings, such as “hello,” goodbye,” and “love.”
The design on Hawaii’s quarter features King Kamehameha I stretching his hand toward the eight major Hawaiian Islands. The state motto is also inscribed: “UA MAU KE EA O KA ‘‾AINA I KA PONO,” which means “The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness.”
King Kamehameha I is a central figure in Hawaiian history. In the early 1800s, he united the Hawaiian Islands into one kingdom while encouraging them to keep to their traditions and ways of life. His “Law of the Splintered Paddle” still protects non-military citizens during times of war. A statue of King Kamehameha I stands in the National Statuary Hall of the United States Capitol building.
Hawaii Facts
Nickname: The Aloha State
Capital: Honolulu
Statehood: August 21, 1959