Hawaii isn’t necessarily known for being the first; I mean, we were the last state to become part of America, and everything takes a few months to make their way to the Hawaiian Islands from the mainland. But, there are a few things that Hawaii did first – and the following are eight such things.
- Iolani Palace, the only royal palace on United States soil, was illuminated with electric lights four years before the White House in Washington D.C.
Joel/Flickr
- The first Asian-American in the United States Senate was Hawaii’s Hiram Fong.
Capsun Poe/Flickr A descendant from Chinese immigrants, he was elected to the senate in 1959.
- Hawaii became the first state to legalize abortion on demand in 1970* – three years before Roe v. Wade.
Thomas Hawk/Flickr *Colorado did legalize abortion in 1967, but only in cases of incest, rape and to save the life of the mother.
- The first federally funded windmill was built on the Big Island’s Kahua Ranch, in 1980.
John Bruder/Flickr At the time, Hawaii was considered to be a global leader in alternate energy research, but also relied on imported oil for 92 percent of its energy needs.
- The first African-American president of the United States, Barack Obama, was born in Hawaii.
U.S. Embassy, Jakarta/Flickr
- Ancient Hawaiians were the first to create surfboards, and essentially invented the sport.
Andy Beal/Flickr Though, back in the day, surfboards were up to 150 feet long!
- King Kalakaua was the first reigning monarch to circumnavigate the globe, and the first foreign head of state to speak before a joint session of Congress.
Wally Gobetz/Flickr
- In 1927, Hawaii was the first state in America to outlaw billboards – preserving the natural beauty of the islands for decades to come.
David Evers/Flickr
Tell us, do you know of anything else that happened in Hawaii first?
Joel/Flickr
Capsun Poe/Flickr
A descendant from Chinese immigrants, he was elected to the senate in 1959.
Thomas Hawk/Flickr
*Colorado did legalize abortion in 1967, but only in cases of incest, rape and to save the life of the mother.
John Bruder/Flickr
At the time, Hawaii was considered to be a global leader in alternate energy research, but also relied on imported oil for 92 percent of its energy needs.
U.S. Embassy, Jakarta/Flickr
Andy Beal/Flickr
Though, back in the day, surfboards were up to 150 feet long!
Wally Gobetz/Flickr
David Evers/Flickr
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
