Hawaii vs. Hawai’i

In English, “Hawaii” refers to the U.S. state, and “Hawai’i” refers to the largest island within the state. However, in the Hawaiian language, the spelling of the state is “Hawai’i,” a spelling that should be used to honor Native Hawaiians. Because of the Hawaiian Statehood Act of 1959, which used “Hawaii,” the spelling of the state in English cannot officially be changed without an Act of Congress. (Note: “Hawaiian” is always spelled without the ‘okina.)